Splash, Too

Splash, Too is a 1988 American made-for-television fantasy comedy film directed by Greg Antonacci, serving as a sequel to the 1984 romantic fantasy film Splash.^[1] Produced by The Walt Disney Company, it originally aired in two parts on May 1 and May 8, 1988, as part of the Disney Sunday Movie anthology series.^[1] The film stars Todd Waring as Allen Bauer and Amy Yasbeck as his mermaid wife Madison, neither of whom were played by the original film's leads, Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.^[2] In the story, the couple returns from their isolated island life to New York City, where Allen works to save his family's struggling produce business while Madison seeks to liberate a captive dolphin from an aquarium facing closure and potential scientific exploitation.^[1] Notably, Splash, Too holds the distinction of being the first motion picture filmed at the new Disney-MGM Studios in Florida.^[1] The sequel received mixed reception, earning an audience score of 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.5 out of 10 rating on IMDb based on user votes.^[3]^[2]

Synopsis and Cast

Plot Summary

Four years after the events of the original film, in which a human man fell in love with a mermaid and joined her in the ocean, Allen Bauer and his wife Madison have been living a secluded life on a deserted tropical island. Allen, growing restless and missing the excitement of New York City, uses Madison's newfound magical ability to view distant events by swirling water in a bowl and discovers that his brother Freddie is mismanaging their family produce business, Bauer Produce, nearly driving it into bankruptcy. Motivated to save the company, Allen convinces Madison to return to the mainland with him.^[2]^[4] Upon arriving in New York, the couple settles into a rundown suburban house with a pool, which they renovate to project an image of domestic normalcy while concealing Madison's mermaid identity. Allen dives into reviving the business, charming a potential major client, wholesaler Karl Hooten, who demands a picture-perfect family life as part of the deal. Meanwhile, Madison struggles to adapt to urban life once more, facing nosy neighbor Mrs. Needler and befriending eccentric local Fern Hooten, Karl's sister. At a business event at an aquarium, Madison discovers her longtime dolphin friend Salty has been captured and is held for scientific research by Dr. Otto Benus. Subplots emerge involving Freddie's bumbling attempts to keep the business afloat and Madison's protective instincts toward the ocean's creatures, highlighting Allen's internal conflict between his human ambitions and the pull of their shared underwater heritage. As Allen prioritizes work dinners and client schmoozing, the couple's relationship strains, with Madison feeling neglected and yearning for the freedom of the sea. Madison asks Hooten to help free Salty, but he refuses, creating tension in Allen's deal.^[5]^[6] The narrative escalates when Madison sneaks into the aquarium and reunites emotionally with the dolphin, confirming his dire situation in a sterile tank. Determined to act, Madison employs her water-based magic to scout the facility and devise an escape plan, but her efforts risk exposing her secret and jeopardizing Allen's crucial deal with Hooten. A key twist occurs when Madison's impulsive attempts to free Salty lead to comedic mishaps, including a temporary transformation glitch where she struggles to maintain her human legs during a high-stakes confrontation, forcing Allen to cover for her. Subplots intertwine as Freddie's schemes to impress clients backfire, and Fern, revealed to have her own quirky affinity for marine life, unwittingly aids Madison's cause. Allen grapples with guilt over prioritizing profit over Madison's happiness, realizing the threat to their marriage mirrors the business's peril.^[2]^[7] In the climax, Madison attempts to free Salty alone, but Allen joins her in a nighttime raid on the aquarium. With Fern Hooten's assistance, they load Salty into a van and transport him to the ocean, where he is released into the wild. Choosing love over commerce, Allen prioritizes their relationship, securing an alternative business path through honest dealings. The business subplot resolves as the focus shifts to the couple's unity against external pressures. With Salty safely returned to the sea, Allen apologizes for his neglect, and Madison recommits to their life together on land, affirming her curiosity about human ways despite her oceanic roots. The film ends on a reconciliatory note at their home pool, where the couple swims playfully, blending their worlds and embracing a balanced future in New York.^[4]^[6]

Cast and Roles

The principal cast of Splash, Too features Todd Waring as Allen Bauer, the human husband whose earnest performance underscores themes of family reconnection and romantic partnership in the film's lighthearted fantasy setting.^[8] Amy Yasbeck plays Madison Bauer, the mermaid wife whose whimsical and affectionate portrayal drives the story's blend of humor and heartfelt romance.^[8] Donovan Scott reprises the role of Freddie Bauer, delivering comic relief through his bumbling, good-natured antics as the loyal family sidekick, enhancing the movie's comedic tone.^[8] Supporting roles enrich the ensemble, with Rita Taggart as Fern Hooten, whose supportive and intriguing presence as a key ally adds layers of warmth and subtle conflict to interpersonal dynamics.^[8] Noble Willingham portrays Karl Hooten, the antagonist prospective client whose authoritative demeanor heightens the narrative tension, while his associates, including figures like Dr. Otto Benus (Mark Blankfield), contribute to the central opposition through their scheming involvement.^[8] Members of the Bauer family, such as the quirky Mrs. Stimler (Dody Goodman), further amplify the familial humor and everyday chaos.^[8] Unlike the original Splash, the leads Allen and Madison were recast with Waring and Yasbeck to suit the television production.^[9]

Production

Development and Background

Splash, Too was conceived by The Walt Disney Company as a sequel to the 1984 theatrical film Splash, leveraging the original's success as a family-friendly romantic fantasy comedy that earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Initially developed as a theatrical feature, the project aimed to extend the mermaid-human romance without involving original stars Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.^[10] The film was directed by Greg Antonacci, known for his work in television production, and written by Bruce Franklin Singer, who adapted the screenplay to suit a made-for-television format while preserving the core fantastical elements of mermaids and magical transformations. Walt Disney Television handled production, emphasizing a lighter, more accessible tone suitable for broadcast, with an emphasis on family dynamics and subtle environmental messaging centered around marine life conservation.^[10] Development occurred in the late 1980s, with the project announced on May 29, 1987, before being greenlit specifically for ABC's Disney Sunday Movie anthology series as a two-part special to capitalize on the slot's popularity for family-oriented content.^[10] While retaining the original's mythology—including mermaids originating from Cape Cod and their enchanting abilities—the sequel shifted narrative priorities toward familial bonds and ecological awareness, distinguishing it from the romantic focus of its predecessor.^[4]

Casting Process

The lead roles in Splash, Too were recast, with Todd Waring portraying Allen Bauer and Amy Yasbeck as Madison Bauer.^[11] Only one actor from the 1984 film returned for continuity: Dody Goodman reprised her role as the Bauers' office assistant, Mrs. Stimler. New cast members, including Donovan Scott as Freddie Bauer and Rita Taggart as Fern Hooten, were introduced to bolster family dynamics and expand the ensemble supporting the story's interpersonal elements.^[11] As a Disney television production, Splash, Too faced constraints that precluded securing high-profile stars, shifting focus to emerging or character actors during auditions. Casting emphasized performers with strong comedic timing and broad family appeal to align with the network's audience expectations. The resulting ensemble approach facilitated the sequel's lighter, more episodic narrative structure, prioritizing relatable group interactions over star-driven drama.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Principal photography for Splash, Too was conducted entirely at the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida, commencing in February 1988 and making it the inaugural production at the facility, which would not open to the public until May 1989.^[12] The TV movie utilized the park's backlot sets, such as the Streets of New York for urban exteriors simulating Manhattan, and soundstage facilities including water tanks for underwater sequences depicting the mermaids' aquatic world.^[13] Special effects relied on practical techniques suited to television production, featuring custom mermaid tail prosthetics for actress Amy Yasbeck's transformation scenes, with designs influenced by the original film's effects team to ensure visual continuity. Underwater filming employed controlled tank environments to capture fluid movements, avoiding the more elaborate ocean shoots of the theatrical predecessor.^[12] Director Greg Antonacci focused on a lighthearted, family-oriented tone, structuring the two-part telefilm to accommodate commercial interruptions while highlighting comedic and heartfelt interactions between human and mermaid characters.^[14] Technical challenges included coordinating prosthetic applications with water sequences to maintain kid-friendly pacing and safety, utilizing dry-for-wet methods where actors performed in air with added visual effects for realism.

Release

Television Broadcast

Splash, Too premiered as a two-part television event on ABC's The Disney Sunday Movie anthology series on May 1 and May 8, 1988, airing in the network's family-oriented Sunday evening slot to attract broad audiences.^[15] ABC promoted the film as a direct sequel to the 1984 hit Splash, leveraging the original's success within Disney's broader strategy of adapting popular properties for television.^[15] The production had a total runtime of 87 minutes and was formatted into two approximately 60-minute episodes, with edits to fit commercial interruptions typical of broadcast television.^[2] Post-premiere, the film saw limited syndication within the United States, including airings on The Disney Channel in 1991, with no widespread international television airings reported.^[16]

Home Media Distribution

Splash, Too received limited home media distribution following its 1988 television broadcast, primarily confined to international VHS releases. Walt Disney Home Video issued the film on VHS tape in 1989 for markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Germany, all in PAL format to suit regional broadcast standards.^[17]^[18] These releases were modest in scale and targeted overseas audiences, reflecting the production's origins as a made-for-TV sequel with restricted North American availability. No official VHS edition was distributed in the United States.^[19] The title has not seen any subsequent physical media formats such as DVD or Blu-ray, remaining out of print since the late 1980s VHS editions went unavailable.^[20] Unlike the original Splash, which enjoyed widespread home video success and multiple re-releases, Splash, Too's distribution history underscores its niche status without digital or bundled offerings. As of November 2025, it is not accessible via major streaming platforms like Disney+.^[21]^[22]

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its 1988 television premiere, Splash, Too received limited critical attention as a made-for-TV sequel. Available coverage and retrospective analyses highlight a mixed reception, with praise for its family-friendly charm and lighthearted fantasy elements tempered by criticisms of its diminished spark compared to the original film. Common themes in reviews emphasized the sequel's strengths in humor and whimsical fantasy, particularly in scenes involving mermaid antics and romantic comedy tropes, which provided enjoyable, if familiar, viewing for families. However, weaknesses were frequently attributed to the plot's formulaic structure and lower production values inherent to its television format, making it feel like a pale imitation of the predecessor's cinematic polish. Aggregate scores reflect the film's age and obscurity, with no Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer consensus available due to sparse professional reviews from the era; however, retrospective analyses often acknowledge its nostalgic value as a light 1980s Disney TV offering.^[3] Audience reception has been similarly mixed, evidenced by a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 300 ratings as of November 2025, underscoring divided opinions on its entertainment merits relative to the original.^[3]

Cultural Impact and Viewership

Splash, Too premiered as a two-part made-for-television event on ABC's The Disney Sunday Movie programming block on May 1 and May 8, 1988, attracting a family-oriented audience in the primetime slot typical of Disney's 1980s television output.^[19] While specific Nielsen viewership figures for the episodes remain undocumented in publicly available records, the broadcast aligned with the block's established appeal to households seeking lighthearted fantasy fare, though it fell short of the original Splash's theatrical success, which grossed nearly $70 million worldwide.^[19]^[23] As a sequel, Splash, Too occupies a curious position in the mermaid fantasy genre, serving largely as a footnote overshadowed by the 1984 original's cultural resonance. Its development, along with the original Splash, inadvertently influenced Disney's animated output by prompting initial hesitation from studio executives toward similar underwater-themed projects; specifically, then-CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg nearly shelved The Little Mermaid (1989) due to concerns over redundancy with the Splash franchise, delaying but ultimately not derailing the film's production.^[19] This episode highlighted Disney's cautious approach to mermaid narratives in the late 1980s, paving the way for more successful adaptations like the animated The Little Mermaid, which earned $84 million in its initial domestic release, $211 million worldwide, and two Academy Awards.^[19]^[24] The film contributed to the 1980s-1990s trend of family-friendly TV movies blending whimsy with light adventure, reinforcing Disney's strategy of extending theatrical properties to television for broader accessibility. Despite receiving no major awards or widespread acclaim, Splash, Too has garnered minor cult status in retrospective discussions, often noted for Amy Yasbeck's debut as Madison and its rarity—never released on U.S. home video or major streaming platforms as of November 2025.^[19] Audience reception reflects this niche endurance, with a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 300 ratings and a 2.7 out of 5 average on Letterboxd as of November 2025.^[3]^[25]