Cats Don't Dance (1997)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Mark Dindal

Writers:

Mark Dindal (story) &
Robert Lence (story) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Animation | Musical | Comedy

Tagline:

For a Bunch of Funny Friends Trying to Break Into Show Business...

Plot:

It's the world of cats and Danny is the ambitious one coming to Hollywood to become film star where he is immediately cast in musical epic movie.

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Hollywood | Star | Child Star | Animal

Awards:

3 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Scott Bakula	...	Danny (voice)
Jasmine Guy	...	Sawyer (speaking) (voice)
Natalie Cole	...	Sawyer (singing) (voice)
Ashley Peldon	...	Darla Dimple (speaking) (voice)
Lindsay Ridgeway	...	Darla Dimple (singing) (voice)
Kathy Najimy	...	Tillie Hippo (voice)
John Rhys-Davies	...	Woolie Mammoth (voice)
George Kennedy	...	L.B. Mammoth (voice)
Rene Auberjonois	...	Flanigan (voice)
Betty Lou Gerson	...	Frances (voice)
Hal Holbrook	...	Cranston (voice)
Matthew Herried	...	Pudge the Penguin (voice)
Don Knotts	...	T.W. Turtle (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Farley Wink (voice)
David Johansen	...	Bus Driver (voice)

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U (video premiere) | USA:G (certificate #35142)

Company:

David Kirschner Productions

Trivia:

"Dedicated to Our Friend and Collaborator, Gene Kelly", who acted as a choreography consultant (uncredited) for the film shortly before he passed away in 1996. Kelly's cement hand and footprints at the Grauman's Chinese Theater forecourt are clearly seen in the opening musical number in Hollywood as a tribute (even though he didn't place his there until 1969).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: As Danny arrives in Hollywood at the beginning of the film, the Hollywood sign can be seen. The film is set in 1939 so the sign should still read Hollywoodland as it did until 1949.

Quotes:

Danny: What if I could get you an audition with L.B. Mammoth?
Sawyer: L.B. Mammoth? Head of Mammoth Studios?
Danny: I'm sure he'd appreciate good talent.
Cranston: After nothing but Darla, he's gotta be starving for it!

Movie Connections:

References The Little Colonel (1935)

Soundtrack:

Big and Loud

Fun and entertaining..

Hollywood-it either makes or breaks you, sends some dreamers to the top, and others home. Can a little ambition go a long way?

Set in the late 1930s, "Cats Don't Dance" is about Danny (voice of Scott Bakula), a singing and dancing cat from Kokomo, who heads to Hollywood in search of a big break, complete with dreams, ambitions, and a song in his heart. He is immediately hired to play a part in "Lil Arc Angel," a picture starring Hollywood's most celebrated actress, Darla Dimple (Ashley Peldon/Lindsay Ridgeway), whom, beneath her sweetie-pie personality, is really a spoiled brat who hates animals and will do anythig to destroy their dreams. Danny decides to steal the show from Darla, who shows her true colors. When he approaches Darla for help in getting the animals a big break, Darla conjures up a plan to get them all blacklisted from movies. Can Danny prove that ambition can get them their dreams?

As a 19 year old, its not very common to like cutesy cartoons. However, this was something that would entertain anyone. Sure, the songs are corny, but the dance numbers are fun, and the singers really know their stuff. Scott Bakula, providing both the vocal and singing tracks for Danny, is energetic and fun, and he sings really well. Jasmine Guy and Natalie Cole, as Sawyer, is seductive and ambitious, just not willing to show it. The supporting animal cast, including Don Knotts as T.W. and Kathy Najimy as Tilly Hippo, are funny and smart. Kudos to Ashley Peldon and Lindsay Ridgeway, as Darla Dimple, who make her EXTREMELY evil, which I love.

Fave parts: The dancing scene in the alley, the "Lil Arc Angel" scene in the beginning, the part where Darla has Danny at her house, eating animal crackers and being sweetly evil, and the ending, which I won't give away. I liked the song "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now". As for fave lines, I had a few. Max: What sound does the kitty cat make? Danny: (big fake grin)Meow??? Max: Gooood. This was also funny when the tables were turned. Scott Bakula doing all sorts of variations of Meow was classic too. Max cracked me up, hulking around scaring the animals. He even started to dance (one of the funniest moments).

This was a wonderful film, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh, likes cartoons, or Scott Bakula. This is a charming film that encourages chasing your dreams, no matter how big they are. As T.W. said, "They can break your cookie, but you'll always have your fortune." Isn't that the stuff dreams are made of?