Gay Purr-ee (1962)

A farm cat moves to Paris in search of the high life while her wannabe lover from back home tries to reunite.

Director:

Abe Levitow

Writers:

Dorothy Jones, Chuck Jones

Stars:

Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, Red Buttons

Cast

Cast overview:
Judy Garland	...	Mewsette (voice)
Robert Goulet	...	Jaune-Tom (voice)
Red Buttons	...	Robespierre (voice)
Paul Frees	...	Meowrice / Cat at Railway Station (voice)
Hermione Gingold	...	Mme. Rubens-Chatte (voice)
Mel Blanc	...	Bulldog / Bartender / the Driver / Mice Sounds (voice)
Morey Amsterdam	...	Narrator (voice)
Joan Gardner	...	Lady From Provence (voice)
Julie Bennett	...	Lady From Provence (voice)

Storyline

Mouser Jaune Tom and house cat Mewsette are living in the French countryside, but Mewsette wants to experience the refinement and excitement of the Paris living. But upon arrival she falls into the clutches of Meowrice. Jaune Tom and his friend Robespierre set off to Paris to find her.

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Plot Keywords:

deception | cat movie | reference to henri de toulouse lautrec | female protagonist | hyphen in title | 

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Taglines:

Vive La Fun!... Vive La Joy!... Vive La Judy!...

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elvis Presley was considered for the voice of Jaune-Tom, but he turned down the part before he preferred to be seen in onscreen performances.

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Goofs

When Robespierre gives Mewsette the idea to go to Paris her nose disappears for a few frames.

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Quotes

Jeanette: [to her sister] But darling, think of Paris! Lovely, gay Paris! Have you forgotten the sidewalk cafés and how we sipped champagne?
Mewsette: Champagne? That must be what they call catnip in Paris. How nice!
Jeanette: ...the button champignons sautéed in butter with tiny shreds of herbs...
Mewsette: I know what they are - mushrooms! And delicious, too!
Jeanette: And oh, my dear, the Champs-Elysées!
Mewsette: Champs-Elysées? I wonder what they taste like.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits include colorful drawings of the movie's main stars which then change into their cartoon characters.

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Alternate Versions

Some television prints are clumsily edited and have several reels in the wrong order.

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Connections

References Moulin Rouge (1952)

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Soundtracks

Little Drops of Rain (Reprise)
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Music by Harold Arlen
Performed by Robert Goulet

User Reviews

One of the best of the impressionist cartoon genre

This movie is marvelous. The story is "girl-rejects-boy; girl-gets-into-trouble; boy-rescues-girl; all-live-happily-after." Very romantically satisfying. Paul Frees' voice is perfect for Meowrice, as is Robert Goulet's for Jeune-Tom. Judy Garland's voice is in fine fettle as Mewsette. The impressionist drawing and background style is unique. I've never seen another like it.

This is one of those movies parents can allow their children to enjoy without fear of their being exposed to too much sex and violence. On the other hand, adults can enjoy it, also, on a different level.

We still watch it regularly 3 or 4 times a year.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Gata dos Meus Sonhos

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Productions of America (UPA), Warner Bros. Cartoon Studios, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1