"Great Performances" Cats (1998)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

David Mallet

Writer:

T.S. Eliot (book)

TV Series:

"Great Performances" (1972)

Original Air Date:

5 October 1998

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The World's Best-loved Musical - The Memory will Live Forever

Plot:

"Jellicle" cats join for a Jellicle ball where they rejoice with their leader, Old Deuteronomy. One cat will be chosen to go to the "Heavyside Layer" and be reborn. The cats introduce themselves. |

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Broadway | Based On Musical | Lifting Person In Air | Independent Film

Cast

Elaine Paige	...	Grizabella the Glamour Cat
John Mills	...	Gus the Theatre Cat
Ken Page	...	Old Deuteronomy
Rosemarie Ford	...	Bombalurina
Michael Gruber	...	Munkustrap
John Partridge	...	Rum Tum Tugger
Aeva May	...	Demeter
Geoffrey Garratt	...	Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat
James Barron	...	Bustopher Jones
Jo Gibb	...	Rumpleteazer
Drew Varley	...	Mungojerrie
Susie McKenna	...	Jennyanydots the Gumbie Cat
Jacob Brent	...	Mr. Mistoffelees
Susan Jane Tanner	...	Jellylorum
Phyllida Crowley Smith	...	Victoria

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London, England, UK

Company:

Really Useful Films

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of 'Cats' opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater on October 7, 1982 and ran for 7485 performances making it the second longest running show on Broadway (December 2008). "Cats" won the 1983 Tony Awards for the Best Musical, Best Book (for a musical) and Best Score.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Macavity song with Demeter and Bombalurina, Demeter's left legging changes from being pulled up or down by her ankle between shots.

Quotes:

Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat: From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards, I would supervise them all.
[beat]
Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat: More or less...

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the 80's 3-D" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats

Absolutely Fantastic

After watching the video production of 'Cats' I can confidently say that this is the best musical EVER. If you love the book and other various productions then you just have to see this. With a beautiful mixture of super dancing and acting talent and a brilliant soundtrack this is a wonderful video for everyone to enjoy.

The songs are absolutely brilliant, all of them. From start to finish. Even if you only see this once you will be singing the songs for a lifetime to come. 'Macavity; The Mystery Cat', 'Skimbleshanks; The Railway Cat' and 'Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats' are my favourite songs, but the ever lasting 'Memory' is a good as ever. With a full 90 piece orchestra, the music has never sounded better.

I assure you, after watching this, you will remember it forever. And remember, you've got the Great Rumpuscat to thank for shutting those noisy Pollicle Dogs up at night!!