Oliver & Company (1988)

Director:

George Scribner

Writers:

Jim Cox (screenplay) &
Tim Disney (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Musical

Tagline:

The first Disney movie with attitude.

Plot:

A lost and alone kitten joins a gang of dogs engaged in petty larceny in New York.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Cat | New York | Young Girl | Chihuahua

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Joseph Lawrence	...	Oliver (voice) (as Joey Lawrence)
Billy Joel	...	Dodger (voice)
Cheech Marin	...	Tito (voice)
Richard Mulligan	...	Einstein (voice)
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Francis (voice)
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Rita (voice)
Dom DeLuise	...	Fagin (voice)
Taurean Blacque	...	Roscoe (voice)
Carl Weintraub	...	Desoto (voice)
Robert Loggia	...	Sykes (voice)
Natalie Gregory	...	Jenny (voice)
William Glover	...	Winston (voice)
Bette Midler	...	Georgette (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Louie the Hot Dog Man / Additional Voice (voice)
Deborah Gates	...	Additional Voice (voice) (as Debbie Gates)

Also Known As:

Oliver and the Dodger (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

74 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:5 | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | New Zealand:G | Netherlands:AL | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G | West Germany:6 | Singapore:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Feature Animation

Trivia:

When Dodger sings "Why Should I Worry?", introducing Oliver to New York, Pongo from One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) can be seen (with Roger's arm holding his leash) Jock, Peg and Trusty from Lady and the Tramp (1955) also appear. All follow Dodger along the street.

Goofs:

Continuity: In shots of the front of Jenny's house, there appears to be no mail slot, nor a place for a mail slot. Later in the movie, Fagin's note is placed in a mail slot which we see from an interior shot.

Quotes:

Tito: Hey, hey, hey! There is a lady, Francis.
Georgette: Well, it's nice to see that one of you has some manners.
Tito: After you, my little croissant.
Francis: Good grief.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Golden Girls: Love Me Tender (#4.14)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Once Upon a Time in New York City

A truly touching and hilarious adaptation of Oliver Twist

We've seen a musical version of Oliver, even an animated series, but an animated musical with a cast of dogs and kitten called Oliver set in New York, you'd think it would be a disaster. But, thanks to Disney magic, this film is a classic filled with songs that are never forgotten as well as that wonderful combination of comedy and family drama.

When a homeless kitten comes across a street-wise dog with a gift for song and stealing hot dogs, little Oliver finds himself the member of an exclusive gang of thieving dogs. But before he even executes his first crime, he is discovered by a lonely little girl in need of a friend. Chaos soon ensues as Jenny and Oliver get caught up in a kidnapping by the classic evil villain.

It's a fun filled romp to be enjoyed by one and all over and over again.