When you remember the hit animated movies of the 90s, it isn’t all about Disney. Quite the contrary. Nor was Zootopia the first corner the market on all animal led cast. Kids who frequented Hollywood Video and Blockbuster in the 90s should be very familiar with this animated gem. This year Turner Feature Animation’s classic Cats Don’t Dance turns 20. For those of not legal drinking age who don’t know about this wonderful film, let’s look back at just what made it so much fun.
This was Mark Dindal’s directorial and screenwriting debut. His success with this film propelled him to further success with Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove and Chicken Little. The all-star cast included NCIS: New Orelans‘ Scott Bakula as the lead character, a cat named Danny who dreams of making it big in 1939 Hollywood. The story has its hyperbolized version of Shirley Temple in its villain ‘Darla Dimple’, who is anything but sweet. Danny has to get past her and the industry’s standard practice of typecasting animals in films, a clear metaphor for all minorities and women in cinema at the time.
If the plot wasn’t enough to draw you in, consider this. The music, written by Randy Newman post-Toy Story, boasts some of the best voices in the business. Scott Bakula not only voiced his character, he sings as well! Most importantly, the lead female feline belting out a beautiful ballad at the top of the third act is none other than the incomparable Miss Natalie Cole. With her personal connections to old Hollywood, it’s no wonder she was quickly snatched up for the music role. Just because it’s an animated film, doesn’t mean choreographers don’t need to be consulted when the animals break out dancing. For that the producers went to the best as well, tapping Hollywood legend Gene Kelly as an uncredited choreography consultant for the film. It would be his last work in industry he loved before he passed away in 1996. It was a fun project with nothing but love for the legacy of cinema.
Cats Don’t Dance can now be seen on Google Play and for purchase on YouTube.
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