Gay Purr-ee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gay Purr-ee
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Abe Levitow
Produced by	Henry G. Saperstein Lee Orgel
Written by	Dorothy & Chuck Jones
Starring	Judy Garland Robert Goulet Red Buttons Hermione Gingold Paul Frees Mel Blanc
Music by	Score: Harold Arlen Songs: Harold Arlen E.Y. "Yip" Harburg (Lyrics)
Editing by	Earl Bennett Sam Horta
Studio	UPA
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	December 17, 1962 (1962-12-17)
Running time	85 mins.
Country	United States
Language	English

Gay Purr-ee is a fun animated musical film from 1962. It was made by United Productions of America and released by Warner Bros.. This movie is special because it's the only animated film where the famous singer Judy Garland lent her voice. Robert Goulet also made his first movie appearance in this film. Even though it got good reviews, the movie did not make much money. It was the first animated movie that Warner Bros. released in theaters.

The Story of Gay Purr-ee

Mewsette's Big City Dream

The story of Gay Purr-ee happens in France in 1895. It starts on a quiet farm in the countryside called Provence. Here, we meet a lovely cat named Mewsette and a skilled mouse-hunter named Jaune Tom. They are in love.

But Mewsette dreams of a more exciting life. She hears stories about the fancy city of Paris from a human named Jeanette. Mewsette thinks Jaune Tom and the farm life are too simple. She even calls him a "clumsy country clod."

So, Mewsette decides to run away. She takes a train to Paris, hoping for glamour and adventure.

Meowrice's Tricky Plan

In Paris, Mewsette meets a smooth-talking cat named Meowrice. He is a con artist. He sees that Mewsette is new to the city and doesn't know much. Meowrice sends her to Madame Henretta Reubens-Chatte. Madame Henretta promises to teach Mewsette how to be a fancy lady. She says Mewsette will become "The Belle of all Paris."

But Mewsette doesn't know Meowrice's real plan. He wants to trick her into marrying a rich, old American cat from Pittsburgh. His name is "Mr. Henry Phtt."

Meanwhile, Jaune Tom and his small friend Robespierre arrive in Paris. They are looking for Mewsette.

Challenges in Paris

Mewsette's training to be a fancy cat is hard. She almost gives up and wants to go back to the farm. But Meowrice takes her to see the exciting cat-side of Paris. They visit the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées. They also see the "Mewlon Rouge," which is like the famous Moulin Rouge. This trip makes Mewsette feel better, and she goes back to her lessons.

Just then, Jaune Tom and Robespierre arrive. But Meowrice's sneaky henchmen stop them. Jaune Tom and Robespierre barely escape drowning in the sewers of Paris.

By chance, Jaune Tom shows off his amazing mouse-hunting skills. Meowrice sees this and gets another idea to make money. He sells Jaune Tom and Robespierre as mouse-hunters to a ship going to Alaska.

On the ship, Robespierre cheers up a sad Jaune Tom. He tells him that big problems can be solved by breaking them into small parts. He says that even the huge ocean is made of tiny drops of water. Jaune Tom then imagines Mewsette singing about never giving up.

Art, Gold, and a Chase

Mewsette finishes her training. She is now so lovely that even Meowrice is impressed. He hires famous artists to paint pictures of her. These artists include Claude Monet and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The paintings are sent to Mr. Phtt.

Meowrice writes a check to pay Madame Reubens-Chatte. But he uses ink that disappears, so the check is worthless! He takes Mewsette to his secret hideout in Notre Dame. There, he tells her his plan to send her to America. He tries to force her into a luggage crate.

But Mewsette sees a picture of Mr. Phtt. He looks fat and old. She manages to escape Meowrice and his helpers. During the chase, she leads them to a bulldog. The bulldog hurts Meowrice, putting him out of action for six weeks. His less smart helpers search the city for Mewsette but cannot find her.

Meanwhile, Jaune Tom and Robespierre reach Alaska. It's a snowy wilderness. But Jaune Tom's mouse-hunting skills help them find gold! Now they are rich, and they rush back to Paris.

The Big Rescue

Mewsette is sad and homeless. She wanders the streets of Paris. She stops on a bridge and almost jumps into the river. But Meowrice and his helpers catch her again. They take her to the Gare du Nord railway station. She is about to be put on a boat to America. All hope seems lost.

Then, Jaune Tom and Robespierre arrive! Madame Ruebens-Chatte helped them. She was angry that Meowrice tricked her with the worthless check.

There is a funny, action-packed fight scene inside a moving train car. The three heroes defeat Meowrice. They pack him into the crate that was meant for Mewsette. This will be a nasty surprise for Mr. Phtt! The movie ends with Mewsette, Jaune Tom, and Robespierre enjoying the fancy life in Paris that Mewsette always wanted.

Meet the Voices

This film has many talented voice actors.

• Judy Garland is the voice of Mewsette. Mewsette is a beautiful white Turkish Angora cat. She is Jaune Tom's girlfriend. Mewsette is hopeful and a bit innocent, but she believes in herself.
• Robert Goulet is the voice of Jaune Tom. He is a handsome orange Tabby cat. Jaune Tom can be a bit quick-tempered, but he is brave and loyal.
• Red Buttons is the voice of Robespierre. He is a small kitten and Jaune Tom's friend. Robespierre is clever and good at finding solutions.
• Paul Frees is the voice of Meowrice. He is a slim Tuxedo cat and the main bad guy. Meowrice is tricky and will hurt others to get what he wants. Paul Frees also voices a cat at the railway station.
• Hermione Gingold is the voice of Mme. Rubens-Chatte. She is Meowrice's "sister" and a Persian cat. She is smart and a strong character.
• Morey Amsterdam is the Narrator and a Man on Ship.
• Mel Blanc is the voice of the Bulldog and other characters.
• The Mellomen sing as Meowrice's henchcats.
• Julie Bennett and Joan Gardner voice two ladies from Provence.
• Thurl Ravenscroft sings as a Hench Cat (he is not listed in the credits).

The Film's Music

1962 LP cover

The music for Gay Purr-ee is very important to the film. The songs were written by Harold Arlen and E. Y. "Yip" Harburg. These two also wrote the famous songs for The Wizard of Oz.

In 2003, the film's soundtrack was released on CD. It included all the songs from the original 1962 record. It also had 5 extra demo songs. These demo songs were sung by the composers themselves. Judy Garland said that "Little Drops of Rain" was one of her favorite songs. She loved it as much as "Over the Rainbow."

Here are the songs on the CD:

• Overture – Judy Garland and Chorus (3:59)
• Mewsette – Robert Goulet (3:09)
• Take My Hand, Paree – Judy Garland (2:58)
• Roses Red, Violets Blue – Judy Garland (2:02)
• The Money Cat – Paul Frees and the Mellomen (2:17)
• The Horse Won't Talk – Paul Frees (1:45)
• Bubbles – Robert Goulet, Red Buttons, and the Mellomen (2:48)
• Little Drops of Rain – Judy Garland (3:29)
• Little Drops of Rain – Robert Goulet (1:30)
• Portrait of Mewsette – Orchestra (3:30)
• Paris is a Lonely Town – Judy Garland (4:15)
• Mewsette Finale – Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, and Chorus (2:38)
• Paris is a Lonely Town (variation) – Orchestra (1:58)
• Roses Red, Violets Blue (demo) – Harold Arlen and E. Y. "Yip" Harburg (1:43)
• The Money Cat (demo) – Harold Arlen and E. Y. "Yip" Harburg (2:10)
• The Horse Won't Talk (demo) – Harold Arlen (3:46)
• Little Drops of Rain (demo) – Harold Arlen (2:39)
• Paris is a Lonely Town (demo) – Harold Arlen (2:46)