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Splash, Too
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Splash, Too
VHS cover
GenreFantasy-comedy
Based onSplash
by Bruce Jay Friedman
Written byBruce Franklin Singer
Directed byGreg Antonacci
Starring
Music byJoel McNeely
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerMark H. Ovitz
CinematographyFred J. Koenekamp
Running time87 minutes
Production companyWalt Disney Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMay 1 (1988-05-01) –
May 8, 1988 (1988-05-08)
Related
Splash

Splash, Too is a 1988 American made-for-television film sequel to the film Splash (1984) produced by The Walt Disney Company. Directed by Greg Antonacci and written by Bruce Franklin Singer. It stars Todd Waring as Allen Bauer and Amy Yasbeck as Madison Bauer.

It was first broadcast in two parts on The Disney Sunday Movie on May 1 and May 8, 1988, on the ABC television network.

Plot

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Set four years after the events of the first film, Allen Bauer (Todd Waring) and his wife, Madison (Amy Yasbeck) a mermaid, have been living on a deserted island hideaway. Allen is bored with life on the island and admits he misses New York City and his older brother, Freddie. Madison has the magical ability to view images in water and communicate by running her finger in a circular motion over it; she uses this method to show Allen how things are going on back in New York with Freddie (Donovan Scott).

The family business, Bauer Produce, is in trouble since Allen left. Madison agrees to return to New York so Allen can help his brother. They are welcomed back by Freddie, and Allen manages to attract a potential new customer for Bauer Produce, the wealthy Karl Hooten (Noble Willingham). Karl places importance on all-American family values, so Allen and Madison are to present themselves as a typical happily married couple. Freddie gives them a run-down suburban house for them to move into, which they manage to restore into presentable condition.

Madison agrees to be a housewife and adjust to life on land. She also has to keep her mermaid side a secret, especially from their new neighbor, Mrs. Needler (Doris Belack). When Allen's work takes up more of his time and he breaks some promises to her, his relationship with Madison is strained. Madison finds comfort with her new friend Fern Hooten (Rita Taggart), Karl's wife, who supports Madison's desires to find her own interests.

During a business event at an aquarium, Madison sees one of her dolphin friends, Salty, in one of the tanks. Madison is upset by this, especially because Salty has a mate out in the wild. Karl is one of the benefactors of the aquarium, so Madison asks him to let Salty go. This causes more friction between Madison and Allen, as Bauer Produce still needs Karl's business and Allen does not want to get on Karl's bad side. Madison declares her unhappiness with how Allen is treating her and disregarding her feelings, and leaves off swimming into the ocean.

Allen realizes his mistake and regrets pushing Madison away. When Madison returns to the house, Allen apologizes and the pair reconcile. They sneak into the aquarium, where Dr. Otto Benus (Mark Blankfield) is doing research on Salty, and try to set him free. They are almost caught, but Fern Hooten comes to their aid and helps them get Salty on to a van and out to the ocean.

At the sea front, Salty is released into the ocean and returns to his mate. Madison and Allen talk about their future and agree to be honest. Allen agrees to return to the sea with Madison if that is what she wants, but he would prefer to stay on land. Madison agrees to stay on land with him, as she says "I like it here. I like to learn things.", as she has many things she would like to do, and the pair embraces. Seeing Salty back with his family makes Allen wonder how mermaids have babies. Madison tells him with a smile "You'll see. You'll see." as they embrace again with a kiss.

Cast

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Background

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With a production budget of $3.3 million, Splash, Too was the first film to be filmed at the then-new Disney-MGM Studios complex. Dozens of actresses were looked at to play the role of Madison, but none were right for the role until the producers found Amy Yasbeck, who did a screen test for director Greg Antonacci, was cast at the start of 1988. Yasbeck had to wear a blonde wig (over her red hair, which was cut to her shoulders to accommodate wearing the wig) when playing Madison. Yasbeck went through a crash course in scuba diving as well as extensive physical training to prepare to play Madison in the underwater swimming shoots with her mermaid tail costume. Yasbeck was originally going to wear the mermaid tail costume worn and used by Daryl Hannah from the original Splash (1984) film, but she could not fit into it. (Daryl Hannah's Splash mermaid tail was designed and constructed by Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Robert Short. Thom Shouse was the project foreman on Short's mermaid crew.) After undergoing a bodycast, new form-fitted mermaid tails were made for both her and her stunt double Arlene Klein, by Shouse, best known as the Tail Man. The tails made for Splash, Too were easier to put on than the one made for Hannah since they had been made with a zipper. Nevertheless, it took three people to zip up the tail on Yasbeck, and then lift her into the water. Yasbeck received instructions when swimming to only use the tail, and never to use her arms, keeping them at her sides. Yasbeck would spend an hour at a time underwater, frequently taking breaths from the oxygen tanks of nearby divers. The tail was heavy for the actress to wear.[1]

The film was almost entirely recast from the 1984 original, with Dody Goodman (Mrs. Stimler) as the only returning cast member from the first film.

Home video release

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Splash, Too was released on home video (VHS tape) in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia by Walt Disney Home Video. Both the UK release and Australian release have been out of print for many years, but sometimes show up on auction sites. There has been no official home entertainment release of any form (VHS, DVD or Blu-ray) in North America (region 1, NTSC format) from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

References

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Splash, Too

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from Grokipedia
Splash, Too is a American made-for-television film directed by , serving as a sequel to the film Splash. Produced by , it originally aired in two parts on May 1 and May 8, , as part of the Disney Sunday Movie . The film stars as Allen Bauer and as his mermaid wife Madison, neither of whom were played by the original film's leads, and . In the story, the couple returns from their isolated island life to , where Allen works to save his family's struggling produce business while Madison seeks to liberate a captive from an aquarium facing closure and potential scientific exploitation. Notably, Splash, Too holds the distinction of being the first motion picture filmed at the new Disney-MGM Studios in . The sequel received mixed reception, earning an audience score of 45% on and a 3.5 out of 10 rating on based on user votes.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot Summary

Four years after the events of the original film, in which a human man fell in love with a 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 , 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 . Motivated to save the company, Allen convinces Madison to return to the mainland with him. 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 . Madison asks Hooten to help free Salty, but he refuses, creating tension in Allen's deal. 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 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 , revealed to have her own quirky affinity for , unwittingly aids Madison's cause. Allen grapples with guilt over prioritizing profit over Madison's happiness, realizing the threat to their mirrors the business's peril. In the climax, Madison attempts to free Salty alone, but Allen joins her in a nighttime raid on the aquarium. With Hooten's assistance, they load Salty into a and transport him to the , 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.

Cast and Roles

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

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. The film was directed by , 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. handled production, emphasizing a lighter, more accessible tone suitable for broadcast, with an emphasis on family dynamics and subtle environmental messaging centered around conservation. Development occurred in the late , with the project announced on , 1987, before being greenlit specifically for ABC's Disney Sunday Movie as a two-part special to capitalize on the slot's popularity for family-oriented content. While retaining the original's mythology—including mermaids originating from and their enchanting abilities—the sequel shifted narrative priorities toward familial bonds and ecological awareness, distinguishing it from the romantic focus of its predecessor.

Casting Process

The lead roles in Splash, Too were recast, with portraying Allen Bauer and as Madison Bauer. Only one from the film returned for continuity: reprised her role as the Bauers' office assistant, Mrs. Stimler. New cast members, including as Freddie Bauer and as Fern Hooten, were introduced to bolster family dynamics and expand the ensemble supporting the story's interpersonal elements. 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 , commencing in February 1988 and making it the inaugural production at the facility, which would not open to the public until May 1989. The TV movie utilized the park's backlot sets, such as the Streets of New York for urban exteriors simulating , and soundstage facilities including water tanks for underwater sequences depicting the mermaids' aquatic world. 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. Director 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 characters. 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 for realism.

Release

Television Broadcast

Splash, Too premiered as a two-part television event on ABC's The Disney Sunday Movie on May 1 and May 8, 1988, airing in the network's family-oriented Sunday evening slot to attract broad audiences. ABC promoted the film as a direct sequel to the 1984 hit , leveraging the original's success within Disney's broader strategy of adapting popular properties for television. 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. 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.

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. 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. The title has not seen any subsequent physical media formats such as DVD or Blu-ray, remaining since the late 1980s editions went unavailable. Unlike the original , which enjoyed widespread 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+.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its 1988 television premiere, Splash, Too received limited critical attention as a made-for-TV . Available coverage and analyses highlight a mixed reception, with praise for its charm and lighthearted fantasy elements tempered by criticisms of its diminished spark compared to the original . Common themes in reviews emphasized the sequel's strengths in humor and whimsical fantasy, particularly in scenes involving antics and 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 Disney TV offering. Audience reception has been similarly mixed, evidenced by a 45% score on based on over 300 ratings as of November 2025, underscoring divided opinions on its entertainment merits relative to the original.

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 in the primetime slot typical of 's 1980s television output. 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. As a , 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 nearly shelved The Little Mermaid (1989) due to concerns over redundancy with the Splash franchise, delaying but ultimately not derailing the film's production. This episode highlighted Disney's cautious approach to mermaid narratives in the late , paving the way for more successful adaptations like the animated , which earned $84 million in its initial domestic release, $211 million worldwide, and two . The film contributed to the 1980s-1990s trend of 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. or major streaming platforms as of November 2025. Audience reception reflects this niche endurance, with a 45% score on based on over 300 ratings and a 2.7 out of 5 average on as of November 2025.

References

  1. https://d23.com/a-to-z/splash-too-television/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096159/
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/splash-too
  4. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Splash%2C_Too
  5. https://mermaid.fandom.com/wiki/Splash%2C_Too
  6. https://www.filmfad.com/tbt-review-splash-too-barely-makes-drip/
  7. https://mutantreviewersmovies.com/2025/02/11/splash-too-1988-free-salty/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096159/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/splash-too/cast-and-crew
  10. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/57200
  11. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76738/15-surprising-facts-about-splash
  12. https://d23.com/on-with-the-show-35-years-of-disneys-hollywood-studios/
  13. https://wdwmousing.com/chapter-21---mgmdisney-studios---streets-of-new-york.html
  14. https://mouseplanet.com/the-premiere-of-disney-mgm-studios/5193/
  15. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/a-sequel-youve-never-seen-almost-sank-the-original-little-mermaid/
  16. https://dcba.fandom.com/wiki/Splash%2C_Too
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfXn4J6q06Y
  18. https://vhs-openings.fandom.com/wiki/Opening_and_Closing_to_Splash%2C_Too_%281988%29_1989_VHS
  19. https://www.wate.com/entertainment/a-sequel-youve-never-seen-almost-sank-the-original-little-mermaid/
  20. https://vhsmate.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/splash-too-1988/
  21. https://whatsondisneyplus.com/over-300-disney-owned-films-and-shows-missing-from-disney-plus/
  22. https://www.justwatch.com/us/search?q=splash%2C%20too
  23. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0088161/
  24. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0097757/
  25. https://letterboxd.com/film/splash-too/
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