Cats Don't Dance (1997)

Danny, an ambitious singing and dancing cat, goes to Hollywood and overcomes several obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a movie star.

Director:

Mark Dindal

Writers:

Mark Dindal (story), Robert Lence (story)

Stars:

Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy, Natalie Cole

3 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scott Bakula	...	Danny (voice)
Jasmine Guy	...	Sawyer (voice)
Natalie Cole	...	Sawyer (singing voice)
Ashley Peldon	...	Darla Dimple (voice)
Lindsay Ridgeway	...	Darla Dimple (singing voice)
Kathy Najimy	...	Tillie Hippo (voice)
John Rhys-Davies	...	Woolie Mammoth (voice)
George Kennedy	...	L.B. Mammoth (voice)
Rene Auberjonois	...	Flanigan (voice)
Betty Lou Gerson	...	Frances (voice)
Hal Holbrook	...	Cranston (voice)
Matthew Herried	...	Pudge the Penguin (voice)
Don Knotts	...	T.W. Turtle (voice)
Rick Logan	...	T. W. Turtle (singing voice)
Frank Welker	...	Farley Wink (voice)

Storyline

Danny, an ambitious singing and dancing cat, goes to Hollywood and overcomes several obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a movie star.

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Plot Keywords:

celebrity caricature | cat | hollywood | child star | spoiled brat | 

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Taglines:

For a Bunch of Funny Friends Trying to Break Into Show Business...

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Brothers (Mirror Site)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A macskák nem táncolnak

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$939,781, 30 March 1997

Gross USA:

$3,566,637

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,566,637

Company Credits

Production Co:

David Kirschner Productions, Turner Feature Animation, Turner Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (uncredited) Dolby Digital SDDS (uncredited)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few animated films that Frank Welker appeared in where he not only provided the animal vocals but also voiced a character in, the previous include Gallavants (1984), My Little Pony: The Movie (1986), Oliver and Company (1988), The Jetsons Movie (1990), and Aladdin (1992).

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Goofs

As Danny arrives in Hollywood at the beginning of the film, the Hollywood sign can be seen. The film is set in 1939 so the sign should still read Hollywoodland as it did until 1949.

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Quotes

Tillie Hippo: Well?
Sawyer: I can't do this.
Tillie Hippo: And?
Sawyer: I can't do this.
Tillie Hippo: So?
Sawyer: I can't believe I'm doing this.

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits are preceded by a dedication to Gene Kelly, who served as a consultant on the musical numbers' choreography, and died during the film's production.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

La Cumparsita
Music by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez (as G. H. Matos Rodriguez)
Arranged by Steve Goldstein

User Reviews

Fun and entertaining..

Hollywood-it either makes or breaks you, sends some dreamers to the top, and others home. Can a little ambition go a long way?

Set in the late 1930s, "Cats Don't Dance" is about Danny (voice of Scott Bakula), a singing and dancing cat from Kokomo, who heads to Hollywood in search of a big break, complete with dreams, ambitions, and a song in his heart. He is immediately hired to play a part in "Lil Arc Angel," a picture starring Hollywood's most celebrated actress, Darla Dimple (Ashley Peldon/Lindsay Ridgeway), whom, beneath her sweetie-pie personality, is really a spoiled brat who hates animals and will do anythig to destroy their dreams. Danny decides to steal the show from Darla, who shows her true colors. When he approaches Darla for help in getting the animals a big break, Darla conjures up a plan to get them all blacklisted from movies. Can Danny prove that ambition can get them their dreams?

As a 19 year old, its not very common to like cutesy cartoons. However, this was something that would entertain anyone. Sure, the songs are corny, but the dance numbers are fun, and the singers really know their stuff. Scott Bakula, providing both the vocal and singing tracks for Danny, is energetic and fun, and he sings really well. Jasmine Guy and Natalie Cole, as Sawyer, is seductive and ambitious, just not willing to show it. The supporting animal cast, including Don Knotts as T.W. and Kathy Najimy as Tilly Hippo, are funny and smart. Kudos to Ashley Peldon and Lindsay Ridgeway, as Darla Dimple, who make her EXTREMELY evil, which I love.

Fave parts: The dancing scene in the alley, the "Lil Arc Angel" scene in the beginning, the part where Darla has Danny at her house, eating animal crackers and being sweetly evil, and the ending, which I won't give away. I liked the song "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now". As for fave lines, I had a few. Max: What sound does the kitty cat make? Danny: (big fake grin)Meow??? Max: Gooood. This was also funny when the tables were turned. Scott Bakula doing all sorts of variations of Meow was classic too. Max cracked me up, hulking around scaring the animals. He even started to dance (one of the funniest moments).

This was a wonderful film, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh, likes cartoons, or Scott Bakula. This is a charming film that encourages chasing your dreams, no matter how big they are. As T.W. said, "They can break your cookie, but you'll always have your fortune." Isn't that the stuff dreams are made of?