101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997–1998)

Lucky, Cadpig, Rolly and their chicken friend Spot have a series of adventures around the Dearly Farm.

Stars:

Kath Soucie, Tara Strong, Jeff Bennett

3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Kath Soucie	...	Cadpig (64 episodes, 1997-1998)
Tara Strong	...	Spot (64 episodes, 1997-1998)
Jeff Bennett	...	Lt. Pug (64 episodes, 1997-1998)
Frank Welker	...	Scorch (64 episodes, 1997-1998)
April Winchell	...	Cruella de Vil (61 episodes, 1997-1998)
Charlotte Rae	...	Nanny (43 episodes, 1997-1998)
Debi Mae West	...	Lucky (33 episodes, 1997-1998)
Pamela Adlon	...	Lucky (31 episodes, 1997-1998)
Jim Cummings	...	Colonel (30 episodes, 1997-1998)
Cree Summer	...	Princess (28 episodes, 1997-1998)
David L. Lander	...	Horace Badun (28 episodes, 1997-1998)
Christine Cavanaugh	...	Dumpling (27 episodes, 1997-1998)
Michael McKean	...	Jasper Badun (27 episodes, 1997-1998)

Storyline

This show acts as a mix of the Dodie Smith book, 1961 animated movie and 1996 live-action movie. After foiling Cruella DeVil's plot to make a fur coat with the puppies' skins, the Dearly Family (Roger and Anita Dearly, Nanny, Pongo, Perdita, their 15 birth puppies and 84 adopted puppies) move to a new farm home in the country. This show centers on three of Pongo and Perdy's pups, brave Lucky, tubby Rolly and Cadpig the runt. Together with their chicken friend Spot, they defend their new home from Cruella DeVil (Anita's boss and now new neighbor), continually get in and out of trouble, sneak into Grutely, and have all sorts of crazy adventures around the farm. Also along for the fun is Tripod, Patch, Two-Tone, Wizzer, Dipstick, Mooch, and the rest of their barnyard friends.

---

Plot Keywords:

puppy | runt | digit in title | surrealism | animal in title | 

---

Taglines:

It's One-O-One-O-Wonderful!

---

Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

TV-Y

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

101 Dalmatians

Company Credits

Production Co:

Disney Channel, Jumbo Pictures, Toon Disney

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jasper: What do we do now, Ms. De Vil?
Cruella de Vil: We steal it.
Horace: But isn't that stealing?
Cruella de Vil: Nothing gets past you, does it?

---

Connections

Spun-off from 101 Dalmatians (1961)

User Reviews

It's NOT as good as the movies...it outdoes the movies!

Hey, I like it a lot!

As a kid, I grew up with the original animated 1961 movie and I liked it plenty. I also paid for the 1996 live-action movie (with Glenn Close as the diabolical Cruella DeVil) and I own the DVD of "101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure". I've enjoyed them all. The only "Dalmatians" film I haven't seen (thus far) is "102 Dalmatians". (would anyone tip me off if it's any good? Or should I just not bother?)

However, my personal favorite "101D" medium is Disney's "101 Dalmatians: the Series". It combines many themes of the existing material (Dodie Smith book, 1961 and 1996 movies). But still does its own things, too.

Our main pups include brave Lucky, who gets a strong personality mirroring his character in the book, lovable Rolly, the gourmand of the pups, and sweet little Cadpig, who is the true runt of the litter. Also there is Spot the chicken, who longs to be a dog. I find them all extremely amiable and enjoyable to watch. They are usually foiling Cruella's schemes for their land, or outwitting Lt. Pug (I'll get to him later), or sneaking into Grutely, or...just having fun, making a very likable show.

I also like the majority of the other characters. There's Tripod, the resident athlete dalmatian pup, he has only has three legs and is a positive "handicapped" character. Patch is designed after his character in the book (he's supposed to be large). Pongo and Perdy are much like their characters in the original animated movie. Lucky's nemesis Mooch the Mutt is like all the jerks you knew in school. Two-Tone is really cute (she even has a pierced ear). Roger and Anita are written like their characters in the live-action movie, they were much more involving in that film. Of course, Cruella DeVil is now their neighbor, constantly scheming to take over Dearly Farm. Even Cruella can now have funny moments. The one-shot characters are also charming and likable (a popular example is Lucky's friend Blaze the German Shepard pup from "Dog's Best Friend"). The only character I just don't like is Lt. Pug. He feels rather tacked on, and the show never benefits from him: just a weak link.

I personally like the modern theme (I really just don't need a "That '60s Show"), and the American setting (evidence is through American flags in many places, cars driving on the right-hand side of the road, American Southerners, etc). It makes the characters more relatable, and the little truths the main pups discover in their lives lend a Simpson-esque feel. The focus on these modern-day puppies reminds me of "Tiny Toon Adventures" (another show I loved and still love. ^_^)

So, yes, I love this show. I believe it is better than the movies. It's just too good. Giving this show a chance on Toon Disney, I'm glad I took the time to see it. If the guys at Disney are listening, I'd just love to see more of this show. I'll recommend it to anyone. When the good points can override the flaws easily, and can even outdo a favorite film from my childhood, how can I refuse? Of course, you can't go wrong with so many cute puppies.

It receives an enthusiastic 101/10.