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 | cat | love | 

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Taglines:

Vive La Coolest Cat Who Ever Captured The Happy Heart Of Paris!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Golden Books' children's division published a "Little Golden Books" version of "Gay Purr-ee" to coincide with the original theatrical release of the film.

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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

[Jean Tom and Robespierre are on a ship bound for Alaska]
Robespierre: It's all right, Jean Tom. We'll get back all right.
Jean Tom: Oh, it's such a big ocean, Robespierre. Bigger than all of France. Bigger than the whole world.
Robespierre: But you haven't given up hope yet.
Jean Tom: I have now.
[it starts raining]
Jean Tom: It's too big, Robespierre. We'll never get back to find Mewsette.
Robespierre: It's not as big as you think, Jean Tom.
[noticing the rain]
Robespierre: Why, it's just made little drops. It's all how you look at it.

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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

The Mewsette Finale
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Music by Harold Arlen
Performed by Robert Goulet, Judy Garland and Chorus

User Reviews

Rather surprising mixture of animated sophistication and imagination...

Although too long at 85 minutes, this animated musical from UPA is quite tuneful, with visual wit and flair to spare. Slim plot, about a French barnyard feline seeking adventures in Paris, is helped considerably by bright Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs, and of course by Judy Garland's incandescent speaking and singing voice as Mewsette. Never popular with children, the film's writing tends to place the accent on sophisticated conversation, less on animated hilarity. Consequently, it isn't a big crowd-pleaser, although students of animation would be wise to check it out (the humorous art history lesson on the Impressionists is worth the time alone). **1/2 from ****

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