Zebra in the Kitchen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zebra in the Kitchen |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Ivan Tors |
| Screenplay by | Art Arthur |
| Story by | Elgin Ciampi |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Warren Barker |
| Cinematography | Lamar Boren |
| Editing by | Warren Adams |
| Studio | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | June 1965 |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Zebra in the Kitchen is a fun American children's film from 1965. It was made by Ivan Tors and stars Jay North in his very first main movie role. The film also features Martin Milner and Andy Devine.
The story is about a boy who has to give his pet mountain lion to the local zoo. He gets really upset when he sees how the animals live there. So, he decides to try and set them free! This movie was first shown by MGM for kids' matinee shows. Later, it was released for people to watch at home by Warner Bros..
What Happens in the Movie
The movie starts with a story inside a story. Branch Hawksbill, who helps run a city zoo, meets a dad and his son. The son, Tim, found a bear cub during a camping trip. The dad wants Tim to give the bear to the zoo. But Tim doesn't want to, because he thinks the zoo is like a prison for animals.
Branch then tells Tim a story about another boy who faced a similar choice:
Chris Carlyle lives in the countryside and has a special friend: an adult mountain lion named Sunshine. Chris has raised Sunshine since he was a cub, so the mountain lion is very gentle and used to being around people. When Chris's parents say they are moving to the city, Chris worries that Sunshine won't be able to live alone in the wild.
Without his parents knowing, Chris hides Sunshine in the back of their truck. He brings the mountain lion to their new home in the suburbs. Soon, Sunshine's presence scares the neighbors! The zoo director, Dr. Del Hartwood, his helper Isobel Moon, and the head zookeeper Branch, convince Chris to let Sunshine live at the city zoo.
When Chris visits the zoo, he feels sad. He sees that the animals are in small, cramped cages made of chain-link fencing. After a bad dream about being locked in a cage himself, Chris decides he must free Sunshine. The zoo staff see how much Chris cares for Sunshine. They offer him a summer job as a junior zookeeper.
Dr. Hartwood tells the city's Parks and Recreation Commission that the zoo doesn't have enough money. He explains that the old facilities have even caused some animals to get hurt. But the politicians say they probably won't help unless people really push for it.
One day, three boys who like to cause trouble bother the zoo animals. They even feed cigars to a hippopotamus! While the staff are busy with this, Chris secretly takes Branch's keys. He opens all the cages, letting the animals loose to wander around the city!
This leads to many funny situations:
- An ostrich swallows a portable radio.
- A bear rides a bicycle through the streets.
- A zebra walks right into a family's kitchen!
- An Asian elephant drinks a man's bathwater.
- Several primates invade a toy store.
People in the city get scared, and the zoo staff rush to catch the animals. They need to do this before the police start hurting them. Councilman Pew blames Dr. Hartwood for the escape and wants him to quit his job. After a few hours, most animals either go back to the zoo on their own or are caught. The police corner Chris and Sunshine in a warehouse. They are ready to shoot the mountain lion, but Dr. Hartwood calms Sunshine by feeding him whipped cream.
To protect Chris and Dr. Hartwood, Branch says that he was the one who released the animals. He claims he did it to show everyone how bad the zoo conditions were. At Branch's hearing, Chris bravely tells the truth. He doesn't want Branch to take the blame. Dr. Hartwood passionately explains that Chris's actions came from his deep love for animals. He also says Chris helped make people care about the zoo again. The judge understands and tells Chris to work at the zoo for two hours each day for the rest of the summer.
As Branch finishes his story, he proudly shows Tim the new and improved zoo. The city council voted to make it better! The old fence cages are gone. Now, there are modern, bigger, open-air exhibits. Chris works there, happily taking care of Sunshine in his new home. Tim agrees to give his bear cub to the zoo, knowing it will be happy there too.
Meet the Cast
- Jay North as Chris Carlyle, whose best friend is an adult male mountain lion named Sunshine. This was Jay North's first main role after his TV show Dennis the Menace ended.
- Martin Milner as Dr. Del Hartwood, the director of the zoo.
- Andy Devine as Branch Hawksbill, the main zookeeper who later becomes the assistant director of the zoo.
- Joyce Meadows as Isobel Moon, Dr. Hartwood's helper.
- Jim Davis as Adam Carlyle, Chris's father.
- Dorothy Green as Anne Carlyle, Chris's mother.
- Karen Green as Wilma Carlyle, Chris's cousin.
- Vaughn Taylor as Councilman Pew, a city official who is unhappy with Dr. Hartwood and blames him for the animals escaping.
- John Milford as Sergeant Freebee, a police officer sent to kill any animals the zoo team can't catch.
- Tris Coffin as Councilman Lawrence, another city official who supports Dr. Hartwood's efforts for the zoo.
- Merritt Bohn as the Chief of Police.
- Robert Clarke as the Sheriff.
- Percy Helton as Mr. Richardson, a farmer who won't take care of Sunshine when the Carlyles move.
- Jimmy Stiles as Tim, a young boy with a pet bear cub he doesn't want to give to the zoo.
- Dal Jenkins, Gordon Wescourt, and Gary Judis as Kookie, Ribs, and Greenie, three boys who cause trouble at the zoo.
- Robert Lowery as Preston Heston, a hunter who offers to help stop the escaped animals by killing them.
- Wayne Thomas as a newscaster.
- Doodles Weaver as a nearsighted man who thinks a dromedary (a type of camel) is a person.
- Jon Lormer as the judge.
- Vince Barnett as a man in a manhole who gets scared by some escaped apes.
- Phil Arnold as a man whose bathwater is drunk by an Asian elephant.
- Eddie Quillan as a man watching television who is interrupted by a chimpanzee. The character is watching Hollywood Party, a movie Quillan was actually in!
