Ursula (The Little Mermaid) the studio's strongest and most powerful villains in several years. Film critic Roger Ebert dubbed Ursula Disney's "most satisfying villainess since" "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"' Evil Queen, who debuted in 1937. Critics agree that Ursula played an important role in the overall success of "The Little Mermaid". Samantha Rullo of "Bustle" reviewed Ursula as a "way more interesting" character than Ariel herself, while praising her for "rocking the best hair and makeup of any Disney villain." Also writing for "Bustle", Caitlyn Callegari appreciated Ursula for "tell[ing] it like it is." Jay Boyar of the "Orlando Sentinel" hailed Ursula
Ursula (The Little Mermaid) of "Poor Unfortunate Souls", Ursula became the first Disney villainness to receive her own song. During production of "The Little Mermaid", Ursula's design evolved and transformed dramatically. Animator Glen Keane's earliest sketches of Ursula were drawn to resemble Rae, specifically based on the actress' audition for the role. The short-lived casting of Stritch as Ursula and her subsequent performance eventually inspired the animators to design the character as "a tall, thin regal-looking sea witch" based on manta rays and scorpion fish, complete with a long cape. At one point, Ursula had also been drawn with spikes to resemble a spinefish.