Walt Disney Productions
Starring: Peggy Lee, Larry Roberts, Barbara Luddy
Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Life for a beautiful cocker spaniel named Lady (voiced by Barbara Luddy) is idyllic. But her world turns upside down when her owners suddenly introduce a new, tiny human into her world. The baby itself is a blessing, but chaos ensues when Aunt Sarah comes to care for the child while the parents are away. Lady finds herself in the company of a mongrel dog named Tramp (voiced by Larry Roberts) who tries to teach her the ways of the world. But it may be Tramp who learns a valuable lesson about trust and love.
Cinema Cats: While it’s true that overall Disney cats were portrayed as villains over the years it’s hard to argue when the villains are as deliciously mischievous and self-involved as the pair represented in this film.
Aunt Sarah carries a basket into the house which contains her two precious Siamese cats, Si and Am. The cats immediately take over the household, going after the fish and the bird, ripping curtains and giving Lady grief as they lurk about their new home singing the iconic Siamese Cat Song (both the song and the voices of the cats are provided by the incredible Peggy Lee.) In the end the cats cause a huge mess for which poor Lady is blamed. They even congratulate themselves behind Aunt Sarah’s back as she carries them upstairs.
Unfortunately the overtly stereotypical caricatures of Asians depicted here is considered by most to be outdated and racist, and as such both the characters and their song have come under harsh scrutiny which is undeniably deserved, although it was a far from unusual practice at the time.
Final Mewsings: Cats aren’t always villains but when they are they’re darn good ones!
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