ARISTOCATS, THE
SYNOPSIS:
It is 1910 in Paris, and eccentric millionairess Madame Adelaide Bonfamille (Hermione
Baddeley) wills her entire estate to her family of adorable high society cats. Overhearing
her plan, Edgar (Roddy Maude-Roxby) the greedy bumbling butler, catnaps Duchess (Eva
Gabor) and her three mischievous kittens, Berloiz (Dean Clark), Marie (Liz English) and
Toulouse (Gary Dubin) and abandons them in the French countryside. The charming Thomas
O'Malley (Phil Harris), a rough-and-tumble alley cat, saunters by and offers to escort
them home. Along the way, they stop at Thomas' 'pad' where Scat Cat and his band of
swingin' jazz cats are having a jam.
"Made in 1970, Disney's 20th full-length animated classic, Aristocats,
was the last feature to get the nod from Walt Disney himself. Enchanting and delightful,
Aristocats is a playful, colourful adventure for the whole family to enjoy. It may not be
Disney's best, but it's easy to fall in love with the stylish Duchess and her three
kittens. There's lots going on in Madame's mansion –  Toulouse is paw-painting,
Berlioz is perfecting scales and arpeggios, while Marie sings from the top of the piano.
Even the mouse is an ally. In the mould of 101 Dalmations, this heartwarming tale
introduces us to an assortment of ambrosial characters – from flat-footed waddling
geese Amelia and Abigail Gabble to the gentlemanly, hip Thomas O'Malley. Maurice Chevalier
charms with the opening song, while Scat Cat and his band of swingers cut a mean tune
(watch for the Siamese cat who plays piano with chopsticks!) The highlight is a lively
version of Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat, from the Oscar winning combination of Richard M.
Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who penned the songs for Mary Poppins. An irresistible
escape into a world far from today's stresses, Aristocats is suitable for all ages –
from the young to the young at heart."
Louise Keller
"Disney animation has certainly come a long way in the last thirty years and,
compared to a recent release like Tarzan, the Aristocats looks a little, well, dated to
say the least. However, this only refers to the animation. The other aspects of the film
are decidedly timeless and so charming it is easy to forgive any technical weaknesses.
Upper-crust puss Duchess (voiced by the purrrfect Eva Gabor) and her kittens are
struggling to find their way back to Paris after being dumped in the country by the evil
butler Edgar, when they are befriended by a very cool alley cat called Thomas
O’Malley. It is not long before Thomas is escorting Duchess and co. back home, though
not before he has introduced them to the swinging scat cats he calls his friends. The
musical number Ev’rybody Wants to be a Cat is the definite highlight of the film, and
there are some downright ‘trippy’ (this one was made in 1970, folks) moments as
the felines get a little funky and feisty. In the same vein as ‘Lady and the
Tramp’, all ends happily, with Thomas O’Malley providing a nuclear touch to
Duchess’s single parent family. The Aristocats is a nostalgic favourite of a few
friends of mine, and it is easy to see why. It’s a happy, all singing, very cute and
well told tale that will keep the kiddies enthralled while lightening a few older
hearts."
Polly McLennan
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 2
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 0
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 TRAILER
ARISTOCATS (G)
(US)
VOICES: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers, Hermione Baddeley
DIRECTOR: Wolfgang Reitherman
SCRIPT: Ken Anderson, Larry Clemmons, Eric Cleworth, Vance Gerry, Tom McGowan, Julius
Svendsen, Frank Thomas, Ralph Wright
ORIGINAL MUSIC: George Bruns
ORIGINAL SONGS: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Ken Anderson
RUNNING TIME: 76 minutes
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: Buena Vista
VIDEO RELEASE: October 20, 1999
RRP: $24.95
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