IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Cats Don't Dance (1997)
Cats Don't Dance
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Cats Don't Dance (1997) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   1,480 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Mark Dindal (story) &
Robert Lence (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Cats Don't Dance on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 March 1997 (USA) more
Tagline:
For a Bunch of Funny Friends Trying to Break Into Show Business... more
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins & 10 nominations more
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
One of the best animated musicals ever made; personal favorite more (37 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
75 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:G | UK:U (video premiere) | USA:G (certificate #35142)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The poster parodies at the end are all of movies either from Warner Bros. Studios, its subsidiary New Line Cinema, or owned by Turner Entertainment. The studio was afraid that if they used poster parodies of movies from other studios, they would face a massive lawsuit from all of them. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the beginning of the movie, when Danny is getting gifts from his friends in Kokomo, he is already holding the sheep's skin before he even gets it. more
Quotes:
Darla Dimple: I'm the star, you stupid, stupid cat! I should have drowned you all when I flooded the stage!
Darla Dimple: [echoing over the PA] Flooded the stage!... flooded the stage!... flooded the stage!
Crowd: Darla Dimple! I can't believe it.
[Darla tries to act sweet, then Pudge opens a trap door under her]
Darla Dimple: Maaaaaax!
Max: [on the Darla balloon, floating over Paris] Oui, Miss Dimple!
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofs Bright Eyes (1934) more
Soundtrack:
I Do Believe more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
One of the best animated musicals ever made; personal favorite, 21 June 2000
Author: P.M. Reilich from Los Angeles

How about an animated story with animal subversives as out of work actors/musicians rising up against a repressive Hollywood movie-mogul dynasty by way of performing the hippest, swingingest dance number. Think it'll work?

Only if the story is realistic enough.

I haven't had this warm and swingin' a feeling watching an animated feature since, well, the last time I watched Tom O'Malley and Duchess (Phil Harris and Eva Gabor's voices) in the movie The Aristocats.

If you haven't seen this animated musical yet and you've been yearning to see a new cartoon feature that is produced the way they used to make 'em, this one's for you. Besides satisfying a craving for 30s/deco styled cartoons, the writing also toys with some deeper themes reminiscent of that era. It's a funny combination because we usually expect cartoons to never dig deeper than surface humor as there's never enough time for character development. However, some very witty writing (there were 10 writers listed in the credits) manages to take this story well into subject matter that is almost downright noir! That's saying a lot for a cartoon musical, and to top it all off we get Randy Newman songs composed apparently during an especially fertile period of this already extremely talented songwriter and Steve Goldstein's Broadway flair adds up to a wallop of absolutely top-notch songs.

"Big & Loud" has an arrangement that Mancini undoubtedly would have been very proud to have written and is belted to perfection by vocalist Lindsay Ridgeway. The female cat character is as jaded and sultry as Michelle Pfeiffer was in Baker Boys, and is sung by Natalie Cole who we all know is one of the most incredible female swing vocalists who has ever lived. This film really has it all. A rare gem, especially for a cartoon.

My favorite character is Woolie Mammoth, a cynical elephant pianist that immediately reminds me of Brahms, only he's a ragtime genius on the keys. In fact, there is not one (NOTE: NOT ONE) weak character in the whole cast. That is, every single supporting wiseacre line in this fast moving musical romp is written & executed perfectly. Of course, when you're writing classic 30s shtick there's plenty of tried & tested winning material and timing (timing, timing, timing!!!) to draw from and it's therefore easier than trying to make a gargoyle or a sea turtle funny. That's exactly where this flick excels, and there's no shame in that.

The most amazing thing about this movie is how it wasn't a blockbuster success from the tee-off. That's okay; there's nothing wrong with being a sleeper success. Absolutely unbelievable that Malkin panned this filck has bad as he did, considering how good it is and the quality of music etc. In the recent rush of animation features vying to break out of the children's film mold during the past few years, it seems you need a stylish techno look to get noticed. But in the long run, the real talent will eventually outshine the rest. Cats Don't Dance is one that should easily hold its place on the video collectors shelf. But to me, well... there are only a few movies that can make me cry. The Sound of Music is one that always "gets me right here." There are certain places in Cats Don't Dance that are very touching, too. Okay, I admit it. I'm a sentimental old fool. Fortunately for me, movies & sentimentality go together like cookies & milk.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (37 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cats Don't Dance (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
For Anyone Interested in The Widescreen Edition umi_mizuno
Scott Bakula hodgepodge2989
A motion picture interpretation of Derealization raygun-3
this movie can be a great broadway musical ktkb3
Woolie Mammoth's piano song? SusieBones
Cats Don't Dance Movie Script? kurochi89
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Bad and the Beautiful Enchanted Ratatouille Singin' in the Rain The Lion King
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Family section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.