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HISTORY

Principal photography began 20 Sep 1968, according to the 3 Jan 1969 DV. The 28 May 1969 DV reported that the feature had been in production for four years, but the idea may have begun “while Walt Disney was still alive,” the 24 Dec 1970 LAT noted, and was “the last cartoon in which he had a personal hand” before his death on 15 Dec 1966.
       The 3 Sep 1969 DV reported that the budget was $4.6 million, but according to the review in the 25 Nov 1970 DV, the film cost only $4 million. Critical response was positive, and both the DV and LAT praised the film’s animation and “gentle, good-natured charm.”
       The Aristocats’ “world premiere” in Westwood, CA, on 11 Dec 1970, was a benefit for the Motion Picture and Television Relief Fund. ...

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Principal photography began 20 Sep 1968, according to the 3 Jan 1969 DV. The 28 May 1969 DV reported that the feature had been in production for four years, but the idea may have begun “while Walt Disney was still alive,” the 24 Dec 1970 LAT noted, and was “the last cartoon in which he had a personal hand” before his death on 15 Dec 1966.
       The 3 Sep 1969 DV reported that the budget was $4.6 million, but according to the review in the 25 Nov 1970 DV, the film cost only $4 million. Critical response was positive, and both the DV and LAT praised the film’s animation and “gentle, good-natured charm.”
       The Aristocats’ “world premiere” in Westwood, CA, on 11 Dec 1970, was a benefit for the Motion Picture and Television Relief Fund.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
3 Jan 1969
p. 10
Daily Variety
3 Sep 1969
p. 10
Daily Variety
25 Nov 1970
p. 3, 6
Los Angeles Times
16 Dec 1970
Section H. p. 12
Los Angeles Times
24 Dec 1970
View, p. 4
Variety
28 May 1969
p. 3
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
Asst dir
Asst dir
PRODUCERS
ART DIRECTOR
Ken Anderson
Prod des
FILM EDITOR
Film ed
MUSIC
SOUND
Music ed
PRODUCTION MISC
Prod mgr
ANIMATION
Anim dir
Ollie Johnston
Anim dir
Anim dir
Anim dir
Layout
Layout
Al Dempster
Background
Background
Background
Effects anim
Effects anim
Character anim
Character anim
Character anim
Character anim
Character anim
Character anim
Character anim
SOURCES
SONGS
"The Aristocats," words and music by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, sung by Maurice Chevalier; "Scales and Arpeggios" and "She Never Felt Alone," words and music by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman; "Thomas O'Malley Cat," words and music by Terry Gilkyson, sung by Phil Harris; "Ev'rybody Wants To Be a Cat," words and music by Floyd Huddleston and Al Rinker.
PERFORMED BY
SONGWRITERS/COMPOSERS
+
DETAILS
Release Date:
25 December 1970
Premiere Information:
Los Angeles premiere: 11 Dec 1970; Los Angeles opening: 25 Dec 1970
Production Date:
began 20 Sep 1968
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Walt Disney Productions
10 August 1970
LP38283
Physical Properties:
Sound
RCA
Color
Technicolor
Duration(in mins):
78
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

In 1910 in Paris, a cat named Duchess and her three kittens are made beneficiaries in the will of the wealthy Madame Bonfamille. Edgar, the butler, learning that he will become the heir if misfortune should befall the cats, drugs their milk, takes them to the country, and abandons them. Upon regaining consciousness, they realize that they are lost, but soon they encounter J. Thomas O'Malley, an alley cat who promises to help them return to Paris. On the way, O'Malley dives into a stream to rescue one of the kittens but is himself swept downstream and saved from drowning by the Gabble Sisters, two English geese who are also traveling to Paris. When they arrive in Paris, O'Malley offers his lodgings to Duchess and the kittens in a bohemian quarter of the city; Duchess accepts and they are treated to a jazz concert by a band of O'Malley's alley cat friends. The next day Duchess and the kittens return to their home, but Edgar puts them in a trunk for final disposal. Roquefort, a friendly mouse, runs to inform O'Malley of Duchess' plight, and O'Malley and his gang arrive to release Duchess. In the course of the fighting, Edgar is locked in the trunk intended for Duchess. A truck arrives and the trunk is delivered, as planned, to ...

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In 1910 in Paris, a cat named Duchess and her three kittens are made beneficiaries in the will of the wealthy Madame Bonfamille. Edgar, the butler, learning that he will become the heir if misfortune should befall the cats, drugs their milk, takes them to the country, and abandons them. Upon regaining consciousness, they realize that they are lost, but soon they encounter J. Thomas O'Malley, an alley cat who promises to help them return to Paris. On the way, O'Malley dives into a stream to rescue one of the kittens but is himself swept downstream and saved from drowning by the Gabble Sisters, two English geese who are also traveling to Paris. When they arrive in Paris, O'Malley offers his lodgings to Duchess and the kittens in a bohemian quarter of the city; Duchess accepts and they are treated to a jazz concert by a band of O'Malley's alley cat friends. The next day Duchess and the kittens return to their home, but Edgar puts them in a trunk for final disposal. Roquefort, a friendly mouse, runs to inform O'Malley of Duchess' plight, and O'Malley and his gang arrive to release Duchess. In the course of the fighting, Edgar is locked in the trunk intended for Duchess. A truck arrives and the trunk is delivered, as planned, to Timbuktu.

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GENRE
Genre:
Sub-genre:
Animation, with songs


Subject

Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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