Hi
folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing
several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my
analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun
analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the
pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.
Make sure to
leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you
think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way,
please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.
And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of
spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I
hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize
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It`s going to be hard to get you all home :)
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It`s not the Pokemon tagline
Gotta Catch `Em All :)
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Disney has always been associated with animals. It
shouldn`t be a strange staple, since animals and animation pretty are much meant for each other. While the Revival period has seen the release of the anthrophomorphic Zootopia, it`s been a while since we`ve had a picture from with naturalistic animals from Disney.
Prior to the 1960`s, there had
been various features starring animals (yes, we`re counting the package
features). But there was one certain feature which starred canines and
would highly influence one upcoming canine feature which this entry is
about. Yet the 60`s was a intersting time for Disney. It was the last
decade Walt lived, but it was a time where Walt`s interest in animation
was lukewarm (and yes, Walt was urged by others to focus on his other properties). Only four features were released was released on that decade (if you`ll count Mary Poppins, who`s been labeled as a classic).
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How are we going to escape
from them? :)
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Released in January 1961, 
One Houndred and One Dalmatians (which
happens to be it`s original title, despite how it`s numeral title has
also been used) was the very first feature that was released that decade. Directed by veteran directors at the time Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, and Wolfgang Reitherman. But it happened to be among Disney`s most influential pictures.
It`s one of the most beloved and was the highest grossing movie of 1961. But it was also an innovative picture at
the same time. It was stylistically and tone-wise a departure from what
Disney had done. Yet what was innovative about it, was it`s technical
advances and the invention of the Xerox process. While the techical
innovation wasn`t just a good thing, there`s no change that Dalmatians
had an distinctive look that pretty much defined the upcoming Disney
features. And changed the look for the usual Disney fare. Coming off the
heels of the highly ambitious, yet underperforming Sleeping Beauty, Dalmatians pulled the studio out of the financial slump caused by it. Yet Dalmatians was essentially a departure from Beauty in terms of it`s sheer perfection and was a lighter movie for the Disney crew to work on.
The Visuals
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I thought the clock
was a human :)
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101 Dalmatians has
always been labeled as a departure from what Walt had done earlier (which excited the crew at Disney).
And
frankly, it`s easy to see why. But is it truly a departure? Yes and no.
The most distinctive about it, is (as aforementioned) it's visual style. Before Dalmatians, the animation was inked and painted traditionally by hand. After Sleeping Beauty, the Disney Company considered to close down the animation department (which is why the staff was reduced, to cut costs). Which fortunately Dalmatians prevented them from doing. Yet Dalmatians was also heavily influenced by Beauty, stylistically. Their style went from being
full-blown and elaborate to being more stylished and contemporary. 
Before 1961, it would have been impossible to animate one spotted dog,
let alone 101. Yet Xerox didn`t only made it possible, but made the
animation devoided of sharp lines. Xerox was first used in the Dragon sequence as a test on Beauty and the Goliath II short). What Xerox actually did, was to transfer the animators drawings directly into cels and eliminating the inking process.  |
Well, in Wonderland you
would`ve been able to do what
I`m doing ;)
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This is actually going
to be shown at our
Wedding speech. But
hey, it was Pongo`s
fault :)
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Time Setting & Parenthood
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Yes, we`re glued together :)
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At least it`s not Zorro that
we`re watching ;)
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Another
thing that made 101 Dalmatians distinctive is that it was actually set in
the present time. While it certainly wasn`t the very first Disney feature to do (Dumbo was), it was certain more evident in Dalmatians. By showing the characters watching television and having contemporary components that made the film more current. While such a approach could always risk to date the film, at least it`s something that distinguishes Dalmatians.
Another thing that differentiates Dalmatians is a rare feature which features about the protagonsits` parenthood. Which is truly something that is
rarely seen in Disney. When parenthood usually happens with lead characters in Disney, it`s often at the end of
the movies (The Lion King, Bambi and Lady & The Tramp). Whereas Dalmatians is essentially about the leads reproducing in the beginning of the story. Another film that would follow that pattern would be the following The Aristocats, who would heavily borrow components from Dalmatians. But hey, Dalmatians did precede it almost a decade, so there`s nothing wrong about Aristocats borrowing from it.
Music
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Well, I`m a pup, so I must
read human letters closely :)
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What also differentiates Dalmatians is the amount of songs. There
are only three songs popping up: The famous Cruella de Vil, Kanine Krunchies and Dalmatian Plantation. To
have a feature that was almost absent of songs was certainly a
departure for Walt at the time. As songs had usually provided a big part
of the narrative (with the exception of Fantasia, though it still
doesn`t count, since it`s compilation of classical music). Which is
somewhat a irony, since Roger Racliffe (the first Disney character to
have that name) is a songwriter.
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Yeah, since those dogs are
framed in the picture, I can
smoke on them :)
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Yet there`s no doubt that Cruella is the stand out piece of the picture and has managed to have a life of it`s own (which has been re-recorded various times, by Dr. John, Lalaine, Hayden Panettiere and Selena Gomez). And Cruella
was rewritten trice and was originally going to be more darker
(it was going to see her created out of a graveyeard). The other version was a
nonsense version. And just when songwriter Mel
Leven was going to leave to play the song
for Walt, he decided to do Cruella as a bluesy version (which was the
final version that he spent 45 minutes to do). However, it`s remarkable
how Roger is the performer of both of two numbers (Krunchies is a commerical, after all), while none of our canines sings whatsoever.
The Second Disney Animated Feature Starring Canines
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We`re desperate to be bought,
that`s why we couldn`t care
less if we look sullen :)
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And sure, as aforementioned, Dalmatians
is instantly comparable to
Lady & The Tramp, for starring canines. While Dalmatians never becomes a carbon
copy of Tramp, they still have many components in common. Just like Tramp, Dalmatians is executed from the dogs point of view. But here in a more clever and meta way. Both films even ends with a Christmas scene. And yes, as well known,
characters from Tramp makes an cameo in a clever scene, (which is the original Jock cleanup from Tramp)  |
I don`t want you to slide :)
Nuff said :)
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Yet Dalmatians plays
various nods to Walt`s predecessors in many ways: The scene where
Seargant Tibs (who for some reason was my favorite character as a child)
sneaks in the window, is a nod to the same scene which Figaro
does the same in Pinocchio. And the scenes in the ice and the snowstorm does recall Bambi.
Narration & Setting
What makes also makes 
Dalmatians
distinctive is how the film makes Pongo (voiced by Aussie actor Rod Taylor) the narrator. At
least for a while. The way of giving him the narration gives many possibilites for meta. But Dalmatians
is truly
the first film where the lead character gets to narrate and not relying
on an outside narrator or a sidekick (like Jiminy Cricket
in Pinocchio).
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This was made to make it
impossible to count us :)
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Yes, it`s dog cookies, not
for humans :)
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It`s also remarkable how Dalmatians is the third film that it`s set in England (the first being Alice in Wonderland and the following Peter Pan).
And just like both of them, it`s based on a childrens story. But
regarding that, it`s noteworthy how some characters are given English
accents, while others are striktly American. It`s truly
something that would make purists whine. But hey, sometimes animation
does allow for such anachronism.
Genre
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I`m trying to act like Mona
Lisa in Scream :)
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Another departure with Dalmatians is pretty much it's genre. It`s pretty
much a blend of both a comedy and a thriller. While Walt`s
earliest films tried to be essentially a variety of different tones and
genres, there was a certain decrease of the darkness during the 50`s (with the exception of Sleeping Beauty).  |
We made everything white,
due to us being dalmatians :)
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Dalmatians
is essentially light and frivolous in tone and frankly derpived of gravity. Which is something that the film has been cherished for. Even
the opening titles are incredibly cartoony and literal.
Yet when the plot truly strikes, the film allows itself to be a
thriller. Sure there were suspensful
elements in Walt`s previous films. But there was more to Dalmatians than there`s been to his other films.
The Villains
Davis claimed that Gerson`s |
I`m just pretending
to like dogs: ) For
the sake of
marketing :)
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voice
"was the greatest thing he ever worked with. For giving him something to do". But funny enough, Gerson`s mother owned a Dalmatian named Spot. And despite Cruella
smoking, Gerson stopped doing so and wanted to use Cruella in anti-smoking campaigns. Howard Thompson (New York Times), said that Cruella "makes Snow White`s Witch seem like Pollyanna. A
sadistic Auntie Mame, drawn by Charles Addams and with a Tallulah
Bankhead bass." Gerson got calls from animation houses requesting Cruella soundalikes, but she refused to rip off Cruella. Disney paid Gerson $3,500 for Cruella. But Gerson enjoyed doing the part. And said that Baby Boomers struggles to get Cruella`s hair, cigarette holder and fur coat right in Halloween parties. And yes, all of her actions on the
climax had storyman Bill have trouble to choose from, so
he used them all.
The Plot & Comparisons To The Original Novel
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Well, at least I`m trying to give
my best shot :) Forgive me for
being scrawny :)
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Otherwise, there`s really not much to say about the plot of 101 Dalmatians.
It could easily perceived as two movies. As it starts out as a
hunky-dory love story before it takes a different turn. But from an
analytical point of view, Roger and Anita`s development is too rushed
and contrived to be believable. Otherwise, Dalmatians is
somewhat episodic in structure. Especially in the second and third acts,
where some animals are presented just for a scene. But regarding
it`s only feline, the neurotic Tibs, it`s remarkable how he`s a pivotal character. Regardless of the legend of that
Walt hated cats, at least Tibs does the biggest
deeds.
Behind the Scenes Information
Franchise/Spinoff-Properties
Regarding
Dalmatians popularity, it`s redundant to scrutinize why it became a franchise, nonetheless. But regardless of being connected to Walt`s classic, it became a franchise on it`s own
terms. Dalmatians happened to be one of the very first Disney
properties to actually receive a live action treatment. And that was
long before the live action-remake became an official trend. Having
already written about this live action treatment, I will try not to
repeat myself too much. Other than the remake was released 35 years
later and was a hit. It starred Glenn Close as Cruella, who made an
inspired performance. Jeff
Daniels starred as Roger. And the structure of the movie was influenced by Home Alone. However, Dalmatians received a
sequel that was only made for cashgrab. In May 2021, there was a prequel of Cruella released (with Emma Stone).
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Yes, even dalmatians and
other animals can play :)
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Epilogue
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Yes, even dalmatians
can have pyjamas :)
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Yes, I`m promoting smoking,
since it makes me so happy :)
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No matter what, 101 Dalmatians is a beloved and cherished entry to Disney`s library. And frankly, it`s right to say that it`s deservedly so. Since I usually wrap up my entries by reminisicing my first viewings
of Walt`s films, I remember getting the movie on VHS when I was very
young (I don`t remember the exact age, but probably in my earliest years
of school). While I didn't hate the movie, it never rocked my world.
Frankly, I felt the movie felt the movie was too cold and calculated and
therefore never
among my favorites.  |
We`re trying to stare like
humans :)
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However, becoming the avid Disney fan that I would
eventually grow up to
become, I remember getting
reaccquainted with the movie again at the age of eleven (during a
re-release) and actually
getting a bigger appreciation for it. It was not my one of my favorites,
but it still was an enjoyable romp. And frankly, that`s my
overall impression by it to this day. Anyway, as this entry was written there`s nothing left for
me to wish Dalmatians Happy Past 60th Anniversary (as this entry was written to synergize with it`s 60th Anniversary) and may you continue to have many more.
References:
101 Dalmatians Diamond Edition
Mouse Under Glass (David Koenig).
The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms and Beyond (2011 edition, Christopher Finch and John Lasseter).
Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules (Bob Thomas)
House of Mouse was a spin off of the popular, short-lived series Mickey
Mouse Works. Which is why it featured many Mouse Works shorts, as well as classic Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck shorts
from the 1930s–50s were also
occasionally seen, particularly towards the end of the series' run when
the finite backlog of Mouse Works shorts had almost been exhausted. 
Various characters had different actors to provide the voices in the show than
in the films. Flora was voiced by Tress
MacNeille (who'd later on voiced Merryweather in later projects)
instead of Barbara Dirickson (who voiced her in all later appearances).
Ratigan was voiced by Maurice LaMarche instead of Vincent Price. Dodger
was voiced by Frank Welker instead of Billy Joel. Scuttle was voiced by
Maurice LaMarche instead of Buddy Hackett. 
While the term House of Mouse has
been frequently used about the Disney company in various forms (and
often as a shallow meaning), it`s a fitting synergy to actually have the
series be named so. And yes, there`s a lot of puns and snarky self-references for the characters here.
Otherwise, regarding of the quality of House of Mouse itself, it`s pretty
much what you expect from Disney. It`s breezy, light-weight and
entertaining. While the reaction have been mixed, at least there are
some Disney fans who`ve liked it. Whether it should be compared to it`s
show counterparts, at least House shines on it`s own terms. 
And regardless of how it`s not been
particularly credited by Disney historians for it`s compilation, at
least it was nice to see a hand drawn show that featured Mickey Mouse,
before the CGI craze took over. And since this show had it`s Anniversary
last year, there`s nothing left to wish Happy Past 20th Anniversary, House of Mouse and may you continue to have many more. 
