The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Basil, the rodent Sherlock Holmes, investigates the kidnapping of a toy-maker and uncovers its link to his archenemy, Professor Ratigan.

Directors:

Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson,

Writers:

Peter Young (story), Vance Gerry (story),

Stars:

Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Price	...	Professor Ratigan (voice)
Barrie Ingham	...	Basil of Baker Street / Bartholomew (voice)
Val Bettin	...	Dr. David Q. Dawson / Thug Guard (voice)
Susanne Pollatschek	...	Olivia Flaversham (voice)
Candy Candido	...	Fidget (voice)
Diana Chesney	...	Mrs. Judson (voice)
Eve Brenner	...	The Mouse Queen (voice)
Alan Young	...	Hiram Flaversham (voice)
Basil Rathbone	...	Sherlock Holmes (voice) (archive sound)
Laurie Main	...	Dr. Watson (voice) (archive sound)
Shani Wallis	...	Lady Mouse (voice)
Ellen Fitzhugh	...	Bar Maid (voice)
Walker Edmiston	...	Citizen / Thug Guard (voice)
Wayne Allwine	...	Thug Guard (voice)
Tony Anselmo	...	Thug Guard (voice)

Storyline

In Victorian London, England, a little mouse girl's toymaker father is abducted by a peglegged bat. She enlists the aid of Basil of Baker Street, the rodent world's answer to Sherlock Holmes. The case expands as Basil uncovers the crime's link to a plot against the Crown itself.

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Plot Keywords:

toy maker | crown | mouse | kidnapping | bat | 

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Taglines:

New! In The Classic Walt Disney Tradition

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Musical | Mystery

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Disney

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Italian

Release Date:

2 July 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$38,600,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners II

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alan Young had performed a near-perfect Scottish accent as the voice Scrooge McDuck for the 1977 Disneyland Records adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" (which he also developed and wrote). He repeated the role of McDuck in Mickey's Christmas Carol, and was a natural for the Scotish brogue of Hiram Flaversham.

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Goofs

During the "Let Me Be Good To You" scene, when Dr. Dawson dances on stage with the girl mice, the lead singer grabs him by his right arm and swings him around. Suddenly, she's holding his left arm and his head has turned completely around.

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Quotes

Ratigan: Oh, Felicia, my precious, my baby. Did daddy's little honey-bunny enjoy her tasty treat?

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: The Great Louse Detective (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Let Me Be Good To You"
Written and Performed by Melissa Manchester
Produced by Robbie Buchanan
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

One of Vincent Price's Favorite Roles

I enjoy this film for one main thing, besides the attention to detail concerning Victorian England...the performance of Vincent Price as Ratigan in his scenery-chewing glory. Yes, it's another mice-beneath-your-feet story, but it's so well done. Holmesians will enjoy it's inside jokes and references to other works about the famous fictional sleuth.

Fans of "Ducktales" may note that Alan Young, the voice of toymaker Hiram Flaversham, parlayed his near-perfect Scottish accent into being appointed the official voice of Scrooge McDuck.

But it's Vincent Price in what he later called one of his most favorite roles ever (He even had two original songs written for him!) that draws me back to this film again and again. He clearly enjoyed this role, and the exaggerated movements of Ratigan are obviously his.

An oddly gothic cartoon from Disney, and well worth viewing.