The content of this post originally appeared in the “JNL” section of the Janesville Gazette daily newspaper in the mid-1990s.

Disney re-released the 1989 animated musical “The Little Mermaid” on Friday, Nov. 14, but only for 17 days. The question is: Did they do it for the children or for the money? People had their own opinions as they lined up to see the show at Janesville’s Mall Cinemas. The romantic movie seems to appeal to people of every age; in line were children who couldn’t walk yet, high school couples, and husbands and wives.

Tammy Rice said she thought the company definitely did it for the money, leaving the children as their second priority. But the kids didn’t seem to mind. Jacquelyn Mitchell, dressed head to toe in “Little Mermaid” merchandise, hadn’t seen the movie before. She was there with her mother and older brother, who was telling inquisitive people that he “really wasn’t interested in the movie” and he was there only because of his sister. Meghan Hulen, 2, had seen the movie before — on video, obviously — but this time she was seeing it in the theater with a friend. She said she liked the movie, especially the lead character of Ariel, the little mermaid.

“The Little Mermaid” won two Academy Awards, one for best song (“Under the Sea”) and for the musical score, and a Golden Globe. It helped bring animation back to theaters and led to a long run of new Disney successes, such as “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.” It’s another famous Disney movie, and it will live in the minds of people for years to come.