101 Dalmatians (1996)

An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.

Director:

Stephen Herek

Writers:

Dodie Smith (novel), John Hughes (screenplay)

Stars:

Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Close	...	Cruella DeVil
Jeff Daniels	...	Roger
Joely Richardson	...	Anita
Joan Plowright	...	Nanny
Hugh Laurie	...	Jasper
Mark Williams	...	Horace
John Shrapnel	...	Skinner
Tim McInnerny	...	Alonzo
Hugh Fraser	...	Frederick
Zohren Weiss	...	Herbert
Mark Haddigan	...	Alan
Michael Percival	...	Police Inspector
Neville Phillips	...	Minister
John Evans	...	Pensioner with Bulldog
Hilda Braid	...	Woman On Park Bench

Storyline

After a wild chase in the bustling streets of London, the struggling computer game author, Roger, and his male Dalmatian pet, Pongo--by a welcome twist of fate--are dragged into St. James Park and meet with the charming fashion designer, Anita, and her female Dalmatian companion, Perdita. Soon, one thing will lead to another, and before they know it, Roger and Anita will get married and the adorable Perdita, pregnant. However, their short-lived joy is disrupted when Anita's glamorous but horrible boss, Cruella DeVil, dognaps the innocent puppies with the intention of making a luxurious coat with the dogs' fabulously spotted fur. Eventually, along with Perdita's 15 pups, Cruella will manage to bring the total to the staggering number of 99 Dalmatians; nevertheless, are the cute little puppies as helpless as they look?

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Plot Keywords:

cruella de vil character | square | lover | leash | bowl | 

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Taglines:

This Thanksgiving, the world is going to the dogs.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

27 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

101 Dálmatas

Filming Locations:

Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$45,073,479, 1 December 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$136,189,294

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$320,689,294

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Wizzer Productions, Great Oaks Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Joely Richardson stars in this Disney remake, her older sister, Natasha Richardson, starred in another Disney remake The Parent Trap (1998).

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Goofs

When Perdy is taken to be checked by a vet because of her pregnancy, the window says "Veterinarian". This is the North American term - in London (as in the rest of the UK) vets are called "veterinary surgeons".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Television News Reporter: [on TV] We're all familiar with the illegal poaching of endangered animals in the wild, but never before has an animal in captivity been slaughtered for its pelt. Animal protection groups that monitor the international trade in game contraband have further told us that a white Siberian tiger is so rare that the offer of a pelt would surely draw the attention of law enforcement agencies.
[Perdy whimpers]
Television News Reporter: Shortly before dawn this morning security staff at London Zoo discovered the ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits, Cruella's laugh can be heard as the Walt Disney logo appears.

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Alternate Versions

UK theatrical version had some dialogue substituted to secure a 'U' rating.

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Connections

Spoofs Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

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Soundtracks

The Christmas Song
Written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

User Reviews

Spotty

101 DALMATIANS has some good points. Glenn Close has received a lot of praise for her acting in this film and deservedly so. She is wonderful and very, very funny as the evil lead. She's been given some great lines and delivers them with comedic genius. The puppies are undeniably adorable. Who couldn't love them? But the difference between this and the original animated version is the difference between most old and most new movies. The new one has many cheap unfunny urine and buttocks material. Children's entertainment today seems to revolve around people and animals going to the bathroom, passing gas or scratching their rear end. There are a hundred and one cheap jokes in here that aren't funny and in poor taste. Yeah, I get it, the dog disapproves so he lifts his leg and urinates on a bad persons' photo. Ho ho ho. Ha ha ha ha. I can't stop laughing. Give me a break. The dogs are smart to the point of overkill. They do everything but play chess, solve international disputes, write novels and give dance lessons.

The other villains are annoying and not funny though they are supposed to be. And the whole idea that anyone would want to murder these cute puppies for their fur is not the most pleasant plot theme to live with for two hours. The leading lady who gets her puppies stolen is not ugly but is not attractive either, and I thought romantic leads were supposed to be pretty or handsome. And violence against men is not funny to me either. She whaps the leading man across the face with her heavy handbag just after they meet. Ho ho ho. Ha ha ha. There are now 63,798 movies available for rent where it is supposed to be terribly funny that the woman punches the man in the face or worse. He always is knocked down with the loud ham slap sound effect as the audience howls with delight. There is definitely too much violence against women in this world. I don't think it's a great idea to compensate with unfunny violence against men in the movies. 101 DALMATIANS is a mixed bag of puppies. Long live Glenn Close! WHAT a performance.