Glynis Johns’ Mermaid Role in ‘Miranda’ (1948) Featured Unique Rubber Tail Design and Practical Effects

The article discusses a collection of 20 photographs showcasing Glynis Johns as a mermaid in the 1948 British fantasy comedy film ‘Miranda.’ Johns portrayed the character Miranda Trewella, a playful and flirtatious mermaid, through specialized practical effects, unique wardrobe designs, and her personal charm. A notable aspect of her transformation was the construction of her mermaid tail, which was designed by The Dunlop Rubber Company. Dunlop created two separate rubber tails for the production: one for swimming scenes that prioritized movement and buoyancy, and another for dry scenes that was designed to be worn with custom gowns. The rubber tail was extremely heavy, immobilizing Johns’ legs, requiring crew members and co-stars to physically carry her around the studio lot. Her co-star David Tomlinson recalled the difficulty of transporting her between scenes. Unlike modern mermaid films, ‘Miranda’ kept the mermaid character in her tail for the entire film. To conceal the tail while the character was in a London household, the production dressed Johns in custom-made gowns that were intentionally one foot longer than standard dresses, hiding the tail while she was pushed in a wheelchair. Johns’ performance was praised for its enchanting quality, featuring long platinum hair and a melodic, breathy voice. She balanced the film’s absurd plot with an endearing, mischievous ‘fish out of water’ persona, demanding a strict diet of raw fish and loving to lounge in water-filled bathtubs. The film was a major box-office hit in the UK, making Johns an iconic figure in fantasy cinema and leading to her reprising the role in the 1954 sequel ‘Mad About Men.’ The article also includes a list of other popular posts on the Vintage Everyday website, such as photos of Christopher McCandless, Queen’s album cover, and Brooke Shields as a teenager.