101 Dalmatians facts for kids
The name 101 Dalmatians usually makes people think of a famous story about a family of spotted dogs. This popular tale has been told in many ways, including books, animated movies, live-action films, and even a TV show! All these different versions share the exciting adventures of a group of Dalmatians and their human owners, who try to save puppies from a villain who wants to use their fur for fashion.
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The Original Story: A Book
The adventure of the Dalmatians first began in a book called The Hundred and One Dalmatians. This exciting novel was written by an author named Dodie Smith and was published in 1956. The book introduced the world to Pongo and Perdita, two brave Dalmatian dogs, and their human owners, the Dearlys. It also brought to life the famous villain, Cruella De Vil, who loves fur coats a little too much.
Animated Movie Magic
One of the most famous versions of the story is the animated movie One Hundred and One Dalmatians. This film was made by Walt Disney and released in 1961. It was a huge success and helped make the spotted dogs even more popular. The movie is known for its catchy songs, funny characters, and the thrilling chase scenes as Pongo and Perdita try to rescue their puppies from Cruella. This film was also special because it used a new animation technique called xerography, which helped animators draw the many spots on the Dalmatians more easily.
Live-Action Adventures
The story of the Dalmatians was so loved that it was made into a live-action movie in 1996. This film, simply titled 101 Dalmatians, brought the characters to life with real actors and real dogs! Glenn Close played the role of Cruella De Vil, and many people thought she did an amazing job making the character both scary and funny. The movie followed the same basic story as the animated film, but with some new twists and turns.
A Sequel on the Big Screen
Because the 1996 live-action movie was so popular, a sequel was made. This next movie was called 102 Dalmatians and was released in November 2000. In this film, Cruella De Vil tries to change her ways after being released from prison, but she soon goes back to her old habits. The movie features more adventures with the Dalmatians and introduces new characters, including a dog named Oddball who doesn't have spots.
Dalmatians on Television
The adventures of the Dalmatians also came to the small screen with 101 Dalmatians: The Series. This Disney television show aired from 1997 to 1998. The series followed the lives of the Dalmatian puppies, especially Lucky, Rolly, and Cadpig, as they lived on a farm and had many fun and sometimes tricky experiences. It expanded the world of the Dalmatians with new characters and storylines, offering daily doses of fun for fans.
More Animated Fun
The story of the 1961 animated movie also got its own animated sequel. This film was called 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure. It was released in 2003 and focused on Patch, one of the Dalmatian puppies, who feels a bit lost in the crowd of his many siblings. Patch goes on his own adventure in London and meets a famous dog star, Thunderbolt, learning to be brave and find his own unique place.
