Not so happy originally

The tragic ending of Cinderella's stepsisters that Disney changed

Disney movies have adapted several beloved fairy tales and stories, which means that, for those who experienced these stories as movies for the first time, coming across the original tales can be shocking, as they are quite different, and sometimes even scary and gory.

Most of Disney's movies are intended for children, so these stories had to be adapted and often softened for the audience. Let’s see how Disney changed famous stories when making them into movies.

This 1837 story by Hans Christian Andersen is, at first sight, similar to its movie adaptation. Yes, in the original, the Little Mermaid feels sharp pains each time she walks, but other elements remain. However, the main difference is in the ending: before the prince’s wedding, the sea witch tasks the Little Mermaid with killing the prince in order to live, but she prefers to die herself and turn into sea foam.

The 1950 version of Cinderella also follows most of the original story. Most of the differences with the Brothers Grimm’s version come from elements added by Disney, such as the Fairy Godmother and the singing mice. But there is one gory element that needed to be changed before making a children’s movie: in the tale, Cinderella’s stepsisters, trying to fit into the crystal slipper, resort to cutting parts of their feet.

The first full-length Disney animated movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was a resounding success. However, the story has some differences when compared to the original story by the Brothers Grimm. When the Queen gives Snow white the poisoned apple, it is not a true love’s kiss that wakes her. The prince sees her lying in her crystal coffin and wants to take her with him. When he moves the coffin, the piece of apple that’s still in her throat moves, and she wakes up. As punishment, the Queen is made to dance in shoes made from hot iron until she falls dead.

When watching this lovely musical, it is difficult to imagine that it comes from a lengthy novel filled with tales of vengeance, obsession, social disparities, and a tragic ending. In Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, Quasimodo is deaf and nearly mute, and he is isolated from the world. Frollo, an archdeacon inamoured by the young Esmeralda, accuses her of witchcraft and ultimately succeeds in killing her, while Frollo, instead of the chivalrous young man portrayed by Disney, takes advantage of Esmeralda but abandons her in her time of need.

A reimagination of the 19th-century Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm, the Disney version adds many elements to the story, such as the magical properties of the hair or Rapunzel being a stolen princess. In the original, Rapunzel’s parents give her away as payment for a stolen lettuce. When a prince comes across her tower, they fall in love, but they are tricked by the witch, with the prince falling into a thorny bush and hurting his eyes. Luckily, there is a happy ending where they are reunited, and Rapunzel’s tears restore the prince’s sight.

This 2009 version, set in New Orleans, is only loosely based on several classic tales featuring a prince-turned-frog. While in the Disney version, the kiss turns Tiana into a frog, in the classic fairy tale, the princess, disgusted by the idea of kissing the frog prince, throws him violently against the wall. Luckily for him, it works just as well as a kiss, and he returns to his original form.

The main fairytale behind this Disney classic is of French origin. In it, the reason for Belle’s arrival at the castle is quite different: her father steals a rose from the Beast’s garden and is imprisoned. Belle’s sisters blame her for their father’s misfortunes and demand that she stay in his place. She goes to the castle, filled with invisible servants, where the Beast tries to make her fall in love with him. After being allowed to visit her family, she returns to find the Beast dying. After professing her love, the Beast turns into a prince, and they live happily ever after.

Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, Disney’s Frozen turns a dark story featuring a villainous Queen into a tale of sisterly love. In the original story, Gerda (the inspiration behind the character of Anna) goes on a quest to rescue her friend Kai from the clutches of the evil Snow Queen. Ultimately, her tears are able to melt the ice shards in Kai’s heart and save him.

Inspired by the 1883 Italian novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, the Disney movie gives us a much more tame version of the story. In the original, Pinocchio is rude and cruel. Often chastised by Jiminy Cricket, he ends up killing him and is punished in consequence. A moral tale about disobedience and laziness, the original Pinocchio is only able to turn into a human boy after working hard and learning to care for others.

As with most mythological stories, the original tale of Hercules is quite tragic, and not the happy ending story presented by Disney. A product of the affair of Zeus with a mortal woman, Hercules is hated by Hera, Zeus’ wife, who drives him mad. While out of his mind, he murders his wife, Megara, and their children. To atone for this crime, he performs 12 seemingly impossible labours. In the end, Hercules dies after being poisoned, but he is eventually turned into a god by Zeus.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

12 Words That Should Make a Comeback

Image: Glen Carrie

The amazing trove of the American lexicon contains a world of expressions that have gracefully faded into antiquity. These words, once the staples of everyday talk, have become buried treasures waiting to be rediscovered. You should not, by any means, feel offended if any of these words is an active part of your current vocabulary. But know that if that is the case, you belong to a select few who still keep their proverbial linguistic flames alive until a new generation brings it back to the colloquial spotlight.

Image: Remi Jacquaint

Coined in the 1920s, the term "jalopy" refers to a dilapidated, often unreliable, and outdated car. Usually seen traveling backroads, loaded to the brim, these vehicles were all over the country during the Depression Era and beyond.

Though the jalopy may no longer roam through our highways, its place in the lexicon serves as a fond reminder of a bygone era.

Image: Saad Chaudhry

Taken from the Greek god of the west wind, Zephyrus, this term has endured centuries to become synonymous with a soft, mild breeze. Over time, "zephyr" transcended its mythological origins and found its place in the English language to evoke the sensation of a delicate, cool wind.

Today, this old-timer word will pop up from time to time, offering a touch of elegance and an enduring link to a past era.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"Galoshes" is a word that conjures images of rainy days and puddle-jumping escapades. Its roots can be traced to the 14th-century Middle English term galoche, which was a clog or wooden shoe. Eventually, the word was used to describe a protective overshoe worn to shield one's footwear from the weather.

Then, in the 19th century, as practicality met fashion, galoshes became synonymous with rubber or waterproof overshoes, providing a solid defense against rain and mud. These days, the term "galoshes" stands as a charming linguistic vestige, sometimes brought up by grandmothers and old folks.

Image: Schwerdhoefer

"Baloney" is synonymous with nonsense or foolishness. This word's origin remains a subject of debate. Some suggest there's a connection to the bologna sausage, often made with a mixture of various types of meat. Regardless of its roots, "baloney" serves as a slightly antiquated expression to dismiss exaggerations in a conversation.

Image: Joel Wincott

Used to downplay annoyance or disappointment, the term "fiddlesticks" embodies a bygone era's knack for creative, yet polite, phrases. Despite its archaic nature, the word retains its place as a linguistic relic, offering a quirky way to convey a touch of exasperation or incredulity. Originating in the 17th century, this word is a metaphorical alternative to stronger, potentially rude expressions.

Image: Zachary Nelson

"Whippersnapper" describes a young, usually impudent person who exhibits confidence beyond their years. Coined in the 17th century, it combines "whip," suggesting a quick or smart action, with "snapper," implying a sharp reply.

This word expresses a certain contempt for youthful audacity with a bit of humor. Originating in an era where respect for elders was fundamental, "whippersnapper" reflects the feelings of an older generation astonished by the impertinence of the young.

Image: Samuel Scrimshaw

Not the greatest of terms to be associated with, gobemouche comes from the French language, where it translates to "mouth-gaper." Hailing from the 18th century, this old-timer word refers to a gullible or easily deceived person, someone who eagerly swallows information without skepticism. It originates in the idea of a wide-open mouth, ready to accept anything fed to it.

Image: Eli DeFaria

Working as a diametrically opposed concept to "despair", the word "respair" expresses renewed hope or reprieve after a period of distress. It is rooted in the Latin respirare, meaning to breathe.

Even though it was eclipsed by its more commonly used synonym, "hope," this antiquated but poetic gem transmits the beauty of resilience, offering comfort in the face of life's trials.

Image: Lesly Juarez

"Gigglemug" is a charming term that describes an individual with an infectious or constant smile. This simple blend of "giggle" and "mug" originated in the joyous 1920s era. While the term may have faded from the contemporary lexicon, it evokes images of carefree laughter and an era when a light-hearted spirit was celebrated with the endearing nickname of "gigglemug."

Image: Carrie Borden

Another term that came from the roaring twenties, "hotly-totsy" expresses the happy-go-lucky spirit of the Jazz Age. This phrase describes something fashionable and trendy. It originates in the combination of the words "hot" for trendy and "otsy" as an embellishment.

Though relegated to the past, "hotsy-totsy" remains a linguistic memory of an era when the pursuit of what was fashionable was an acceptable occupation. Not so unlike the present times for many celebrities.

Image: Andrew Foster

"Whooperup" is a term of a similar spirit to the ones just described but hailing from a very different environment: the American frontier. It described a sense of noisy enthusiasm and lively commotion.

A "whooperup" is someone or something that stirs up excitement or engages in joyous partying. The word combines "whoop," an exuberant expression, with "up," emphasizing a high degree of passion. While it may sound a bit wild these days, it was quite fitting for the era when it was born.

Image: Benjamin Davies

A phrase meant to describe individuals who accomplish their goals while enduring misfortunes, "pang-wangle" was coined in the 18th century. It encourages the recipient to remain upbeat and succeed in coming out victoriously of an unpleasant or tricky situation. While it is certainly not a term in current use, its meaning is quite an uplifting one and more than deserving to make a comeback.