Cats Don't Dance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cats Don't Dance |
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Theatrical release poster by John Alvin
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| Directed by | Mark Dindal |
| Produced by | Paul Gertz David Kirschner |
| Screenplay by | Roberts Gannaway Cliff Ruby Elana Lesser Theresa Pettengill |
| Story by | Rick Schneidet Mark Dindal Brian McEntee Robert Lence Kelvin Yasuda David Womersley |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Steve Goldstein |
| Editing by | Dan Molina |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | March 26, 1997 |
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $32 million |
| Money made | $3.6 million |
Cats Don't Dance is an animated musical comedy film from 1997. It was released by Warner Bros.. This movie is special because it was the only fully animated film made by Turner Feature Animation. This studio later joined with Warner Bros. Animation.
The film was the first movie directed by Mark Dindal, who used to work for Disney. Famous voices like Scott Bakula and Jasmine Guy are in the movie. The songs were written by Randy Newman. Also, the legendary dancer Gene Kelly helped with the choreography. This was his last film project before he passed away in 1996. The movie is dedicated to him.
Cats Don't Dance didn't make much money when it first came out. This was mainly because it wasn't advertised very much. However, critics and audiences really liked it. They praised its animation, humor, voice acting, and catchy songs. Over time, the movie became a "cult classic." Many people now consider it one of the best animated films ever made.
What is Cats Don't Dance About?
The story takes place in 1939. Danny, a hopeful cat from Kokomo, Indiana, dreams of becoming a big Hollywood star. He travels to Hollywood to make his dreams come true. There, he meets a small penguin named Pudge, who becomes his first friend.
Danny gets a small role in a movie called Li'l Ark Angel. He works with other animal actors like Sawyer, Tilly, Cranston, Frances, and T.W. Danny is disappointed that animals only get small parts. He wants to show everyone that animals can be stars too!
The main star of the film is Darla Dimple. She seems sweet and innocent, but she is actually a very spoiled child actress. Darla doesn't want anyone to steal her spotlight. Her huge butler, Max, helps her keep the other actors in line.
Danny learns from Woolie the Mammoth, the studio's mascot, that humans usually get the best roles. Danny wants to change this. He plans to gather all the animal actors to put on a big musical show. He hopes this will impress the humans and get animals better roles.
Darla pretends to help Danny, giving him advice on how to entertain audiences. Danny believes her and organizes the animals for an audition on the movie set. But Darla has a secret plan. She and Max flood the stage with water during an important interview. The animals get blamed and are fired from the studio.
Everyone is upset with Danny for ruining their chances. Woolie tells Danny to go back home. Later, Sawyer sings a sad song about keeping dreams alive. She realizes Danny was trying to help. Sawyer rushes to the bus stop, but Danny has just left. She finds his hat and a to-do list.
However, Danny has a change of heart. He sees Pudge wandering and stops the bus. He comes up with a new plan! Danny secretly invites Sawyer and the other animals to the premiere of Li'l Ark Angel.
After the movie, Danny and his friends put on an amazing musical performance. They entertain and impress everyone in the audience. Meanwhile, Darla tries to stop the show. But her attempts accidentally make the performance even better!
Darla gets tangled in a microphone and her angry shouts are heard by everyone. She reveals her true mean nature. Pudge then sends her down a trapdoor. In the end, the animals achieve their dreams of becoming big stars. Danny and Sawyer also realize they like each other. Darla is demoted to a janitor.
Who are the Voices?
- Scott Bakula is the voice of Danny. He is an optimistic orange cat who wants to be a famous Hollywood star.
- Jasmine Guy is the speaking voice of Sawyer. She is a beautiful, but sarcastic white cat who works as a secretary. She becomes Danny's girlfriend.
- Natalie Cole provides Sawyer's singing voice.
- Matthew Herried voices Peabo "Pudge" Pudgemyer. He is a small penguin and Danny's first friend. Pudge looks up to Danny like a big brother.
- Ashley Peldon is the speaking voice of Darla Dimple. She is the selfish and spoiled human child star. She acts sweet to her fans but is actually very mean. Darla is a parody of Shirley Temple.
- Lindsay Ridgeway provides Darla Dimple's singing voice.
- Kathy Najimy voices Tilly Hippopotamus. She is a happy hippopotamus who always tries to find the good in every situation.
- John Rhys-Davies is the voice of Woolie the Mammoth. He is an aging elephant who is the mascot for Mammoth Pictures. Woolie becomes a mentor to Danny.
- Betty Lou Gerson voices Frances Albacore. She is a sassy fish who loves to dance with Cranston.
- Hal Holbrook is the voice of Cranston Goat. He is a cranky old goat who surprisingly loves to dance. He is often seen dancing with Frances.
- Don Knotts voices T.W. Turtle. He is a nervous turtle who always relies on fortune cookie fortunes.
- Rick Logan provides T.W.'s singing voice.
- George Kennedy is the voice of L.B. Mammoth. He is the human head of Mammoth Pictures.
- René Auberjonois voices Flanagan. He is the human film director who always tries to please Darla.
- Mark Dindal is the voice of Max. He is Darla's giant butler who does whatever she tells him.
- Frank Welker voices Farley Wink. He is a fast-talking human agent for animals and Sawyer's boss.
- David Johansen voices the Bus Driver. His comments make Danny come up with his final plan.
- Dee Bradley Baker voices Kong, a gorilla, and other additional characters.
- Tony Pope voices the Alligator.
- Peter Renaday voices the Narrator.
See also
In Spanish: Los gatos no bailan para niños
