Scuttle If you wanna be a human, the first thing you gotta do is dress like one.
5th most-quoted character in The Little Mermaid (1989): in 11 of its 36 quotes
Most scenes with: Ariel (6), Sebastian (6), Ursula (6)
It's a dinglehopper. Humans use these little babies... to straighten their hair out. See? Just a little twirl here and a yank there and voila. You've got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over.
Showing Ariel a kitchen fork
More lines from Scuttle
1 quote Scuttle Scenes with Scuttle
9 scenes
He's very handsome isn't he?
In my day, we had fantastical feasts when I lived in the palace.
[Ariel and Scuttle see Eric.]
I've never seen a human this close before. Oh - he's very handsome, isn't he?
Scuttle [Scuttle looks at Eric's dog.]
I dunno, he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me.
Scuttle I haven't seen this in years, this is wonderful.
What is it?
Scuttle A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.
Ariel, Flounder
Ooooooh.
Scuttle Now the snarfblatt dates back to prehysterical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music.
Scuttle [Scuttle shows Ariel and Flounder a tobacco pipe]
This, I haven't seen this in years. This is wonderful! A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.
Ariel and Flounder
Oh!
Scuttle Now, the snarfblatt dates back to prehistorical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music. Allow me. [blows into it, only to have seaweed and water come out]
Music!
Scuttle [coughs]
It's stuck!
Oh, the concert! Oh, my gosh! My father's gonna kill me!
The concert was today?!
Scuttle [inspects the "snarfblatt" further]
Maybe you can make a little planter out of it or somethin'.
Scuttle [she and Flounder swim back home]
Anytime, sweetie! Anytime.
Scuttle Ariel, I was flying. I was-- Of course I was flying. And I saw the watch-- the witch was watchin' the mirror, and she was singin' with a stolen set of pipes! Do you hear what I'm tellin' you?! The prince is marrying the seawitch in disguise!
Are you sure about this?
Scuttle Have I ever been wrong? I mean, when it's important?!
[The sun rises. Carlotta and Grimsby wave goodbye to Eric and Ariel as they ride away in a horse-drawn buggy. They take a road leading to town and Ariel points excitedly. Ariel leans over the side of the buggy to watch the ground and the horse's feet clopping.] [As they pass over a canal, Flounder leaps through the water. Sebastian peers out over the buggy.]
Has he kissed her yet?
Not yet.
Scuttle [In the bustling town square, Ariel watches a man push a cart of clucking chickens. Two puppets perform on a small stage. Ariel pulls one off, revealing the puppeteer's hand. She pulls Eric's hand to the dance area. He twirls her and lifts her into the air.] [Scuttle flies overhead as Flounder swims in the canal.]
Yo, Flounder! Any kissing?
No, not yet.
Scuttle Hmm. Well, they - they better get crackin'.
[In the buggy, Eric and Ariel ride out of town. Ariel wears a hat and holds bread, a bouquet of flowers, and a pair of boots. Eric offers Ariel the reins. She eagerly snaps them and the buggy races forward. Eric gasps, seeing a wide gulley ahead. Ariel speeds and they soar across to the other side. Eric peeks up from the floor of the buggy. As they rise off into the countryside, Eric relaxes, folding his hands behind his head.]
[Eric rows himself and Ariel out on the lagoon.]
Move over - move your big feathers. I can't see a thing.
Scuttle Nothing, is happening... Only one day left, and that boy ain't puckered up once. O.K. All right, this calls for a little vocal romantic stimulation. Stand back.
[Scuttle lands on a branch and sings horribly.]
Wow. Somebody should find that poor animal and put it out of its misery.
[Ariel grimaces and puts her head in her hands as Scuttle signals "A OK." Sebastian covers his ears.]
Jeez, man, I'm surrounded by amateurs! [He dives down into the water and picks a reed.] You want something done, you've got to do it yourself. First, we got to create the mood. [Ducks appear and turtles turn over on their backs.] Percussion... [The ducks tap the turtle's bellies as if they were drums.] Strings...[Sebastian conducts crickets, who rub their legs together] Winds... [The wind blows through the reeds.] Words. [singing] There you see her / Sitting there across the way / She don't got a lot to say / But there's something about her / And you don't know why / But you're dyin' to try / You wanna kiss the girl
[Ariel shrugs.] [Sebastian and the lagoon creatures continue singing, disappointed that Eric hasn't kissed Ariel.]
Yes, you want her / Look at her, you know you do / Possible she wants you too / There is one way to ask her / It don't take a word / Not a single word / Go on and kiss the girl / Sing with me now / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / My oh my / Look like the boy too shy / Ain't gonna kiss the girl / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Ain't that sad? / Ain't it a shame? / Too bad, he gonna miss the girl
You know, I feel really bad not knowing your name. Heh - maybe I could guess. Is it, uh, Mildred? [Ariel sticks out her tongue in disgust.] O.K., no. How 'bout - Diana? [Ariel shakes her head.] Rachel?
[Eric looks back, confused.]
Ariel? [Ariel nods enthusiastically.] Ariel? [Ariel takes his hand] Well, that's kinda pretty. O.K. - Ariel...
[Sebastian and the lagoon creatures continue serenading them as they float along. Two pelicans pull back the leaves of a willow tree as Eric and Ariel pass through.]
Now's your moment (ya, ya, ya) / Floating in a blue lagoon (ya, ya, ya) / Boy, you better do it soon / No time will be better (ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya) / She don't say a word / And she won't say a word / Until you kiss the girl [Fish circle under the boat, turning it slowly.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Don't be scared (sha-la, sha-la-la ya, ya, ya) / You got the mood prepared (woah, woah) / Go on and kiss the girl [Fireflies surround the boat.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Don't stop now (sha-la, sha-la-la ya, ya, ya) / Don't try to hide it how / You wanna kiss the girl (whoa, whoa) / [As Scuttle begins to sing, flamingos shut him up.] Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Float along (sha-la, sha-la-la) / And listen to the song / The song say kiss the girl (whoa, whoa) [Fish, including Flounder, surround the boat and spurt water from their lips, creating a fountain effect. The animals whisper to kiss Ariel.] / Sha-la-la-la-la-la / The music play (ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya) / Do what the music say / You got to kiss the girl [Eric leans in and gazes into her eyes. Ariel closes her eyes and puckers her lips in anticipation.]/ You've got to kiss the girl / Oh, don't you wanna kiss the girl / You've gotta kiss the girl / Go on and kiss the girl
[Eric closes his eyes as well and their lips nearly touch before they are knocked out of the rowboat, which flips thanks to Flotsam and Jetsam, then Eric and Ariel fall into the water.] [Sebastian hits his head and Scuttle looks mortified.]
Whoa, hang on - I've gotcha.
[The lagoon creatures skitter away as Flotsam and Jetsam rise and slap their tails in the style of a high-five and snicker.] [Ursula watches Ariel and Eric through a bubble.]
Nice work, boys. That was a close one. Too close. The little tramp! Oh, she's better than I thought. At this rate, he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure. [Ursula swims to her shelf of ingredients and smashes them aside, picking up some ingredients. Well, it's time Ursula took matters into her own tentacles! [Ursula smashes ingredients into the cauldron, sending puffs of smoke in the water.] Triton's daughter will be mine! And then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook! [Laughing, she clutches her nautilus shell around her neck. A golden light emanates from behind her transitioning into the moon. Ursula transforms into a human and her voice becomes Ariel's.]
[The moon shines bright. On a terrace, Eric plays the melody of "Part of Your World (Reprise)" on his flute. He gazes out to sea, contemplating as Grimsby approaches.] [putting an arm around Eric]
Eric, if I may say, far better than any dream girl, is one of flesh and blood, one warm and caring, and right before your eyes.
Scuttle [Eric glances up at a window where Ariel stands in her nightgown, combing her hair with a fork. Eric smiles towards her. He looks sadly at his flute. Gazing firmly at it, he stakes a step back and throws it out into the water. He looks towards Ariel's window and begins to stride towards it, but stops.] [He hears Ariel's voice vocalizing "Ahhh." He leans over the edge of the terrace to see a woman walking along the shore, Ursula in disguise. Eric strains to see her clearly. The shell necklace hangs around her neck, glowing brightly. An eerie golden mist winds through the air towards Eric. It fills his eyes, enchanting him.] [Scuttle swoops over the castle, flying to Ariel's window.]
Ariel! Ariel, wake up! Wake up! I just heard the news. Congratulations, kiddo, we did it!
[Scuttle shakes Ariel's hand as she sits up, still half-asleep. Sebastian yawns and tries to go back to sleep.]
What is this idiot babbling about?!
Scuttle Right - as if you two didn't know, uh? The whole town's buzzin' about the Prince gettin' himself hitched this afternoon! You know, he's gettin' married!
Scuttle [Scuttle picks up Sebastian and rubs his head.]
You silly sidewalker! [to Ariel] I just wanted to wish you luck. I'll catch you later, I wouldn't miss it!
[Scuttle flies out the window. Ariel's eyes grow wide. Leaping out of bed, she scoops up Sebastian, twirls him around and gives him a kiss on the head. She fluffs her hair and rushes out the room and down the stairs. Sebastian gets out of bed and follows her]
Well, uh - err, Eric. I-it appears that I was mistaken. [Ariel stops, flabbergasted. She hides behind a beam and listens on.] This mystery maiden of yours does - in fact exist. And - and she is lovely. [holding Vanessa's hand] Congratulations, my dear.
We wish to be married as soon as possible.
Oh, yes - of course, Eric, but, er - but these things do take time, you know...
This afternoon, Grimsby. The wedding ship departs at sunset.
Oh, oh - very well, Eric - as you wish.
[Ariel is distraught and runs off crying. Vanessa touches her necklace and laughs as Eric stands stiffly, under a trance.]
Vanessa
[The wedding boat departs from the dock. Ariel stands at the docks watching. She sinks to the ground, burying her head and cries. Sebastian looks up at her and sadly bows his head. A tear rolls down her cheek and falls in the water. Nearby, Flounder cries too. Over the ship, Scuttle swoops down over the sky.]
What a lovely little bride I'll make / My dear, I'll look divine [Scuttle peeks through a porthole to see "Vanessa" singing to herself.]/ Things are working out according / To my ultimate design [She throws a hairpin at the Angel figure in her mirror. He gulps, realizing the bride is not Ariel.] / Soon I'll have that little mermaid / And the ocean will be mine [Vanessa steps onto her vanity, crushing a bottle. She twirls around and pulls the mirror towards her. Scuttle sees her reflection is that of Ursula.]
Scuttle The Sea Witch! Oh no... She's gotta- I gotta... [In a rush to leave, he bumps his head on the porthole. He flies back to Ariel.] Ariel! Ariel! Ariel, I was flying, I wa - of course I was flying - An' - I s- I saw that the watch - the witch was watchin' a mirror, and she was singin' with a stolen set o' pipes! [Scuttle picks up Sebastian and clanks him against the ground repeatedly.] Do you hear what I'm tellin' you?! The Prince is marrying the Sea Witch in disguise!
[Ariel drops her jaw, realizing that Eric is marrying Ursula in disguise.] [rubbing his head]
Are you sure about this?
Scuttle Have I ever been wrong? I mean when it's important!
What are we gonna do!?
[Ariel looks to the setting sun and hears Ursula's voice in her head.]
Before the sun sets on the third day...
[Ariel leaps into the water and splashes around helplessly. Sebastian cuts free some barrels for Ariel to hang onto.]
Ariel, grab on to dat. Flounder, get her to that boat as fast as your fins can carry you!
I'll try.
[Flounder loops himself onto the rope and pulls Ariel along to the boat.]
I've gotta get to the sea king. He must know about this.
Scuttle What - What about me? What about me?
You - find a way to stall dat wedding! [dives into the sea to find King Triton]
Scuttle Stall the wedding. Wh- what am I - what - that's it! [Scuttle squawks and takes off for the lagoon, alerting the other birds. Bluebirds and flamingos follow him. Starfish, lobsters, dolphins, and sea lions look up. The animals follow Scuttle.] Move it! Let's go! We've got an emergency here!
Bishop
[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat] [Vanessa and Eric walk down the aisle. Max snarls at her as she passes by, and she kicks him. A short bishop stands at the end of the aisle.]
Dearly beloved...
[We cut to the Ocean] [Flounder pulls Ariel.]
Don't worry Ariel. Ugh…… we…… we're gonna make it. We're almost there.
Bishop
[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat]
Yes, um, do you Eric, take Vanessa, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for as long as you both shall live?
Bishop
[Scuttle squawks.]
Eh, and do you... [A squadron of bluebirds swoop down from the sky, led by Scuttle, aimed directly towards Vanessa. She ducks. They circle around and fly under her white dress. Max barks. Guests are alarmed as sea lions get on deck. Pelicans fly overhead and dump beaks full of water on Vanessa. A lobster pinches her nose and starfish smother her and screams.] [Oblivious to the commotion] then by the power invest-
Vanessa
Get away from me you slimy little- [A sea lion tosses her in the air on his nose. Ariel arrives and climbs up the ship. The sea lions toss Vanessa into the wedding cake. She pops out, furious, and three dolphins squirt water in her face. Scuttle squawks in her face.] Oh, why you little- [Vanessa wrings Scuttle's neck. Max breaks free from his leash. Max bites Vanessa in the rear and Scuttle pulls at Vanessa's necklace, which goes flying through the air. The shell of Ursula's necklace was broken into pieces, and Ariel's voice was heard singing and inserted back into Ariel.]
Ariel?
Eric.
Vanessa
[Eric runs to her and grasps her hands.] [now in Ursula's own voice]
Eric, get away from her!
Oh, Eric, I - I wanted to tell you.
Vanessa
Eric, no!
Vanessa
[The sun sets as they are about to kiss, and her legs turn back into a tail.] [as Ariel turns back into a mermaid]
You’re too late! [cackles wickedly] YOU’RE TOO LATE!!!!
[Vanessa rips out of her dress and turns back into Ursula. The crowd gasps in shock and disgust.]
So long, Lover Boy.
[She slithers across the deck, grabs Ariel, and dives over the edge of the ship.]
Ariel!
