Brown Blog Films

When people mention a Warner Brothers animated feature film that they missed on theatrical release, ‘The Iron Giant’ is always it. Luckily for ‘The Iron Giant’  it was popularised much later on DVD release.

There is however another film in their back catalogue that is truly a gem, and just as criminally unknown as ‘The Iron Giant’ was.

This film is called “Cats Don’t Dance”

Released in 1997, it was directed by Mark Dindal, who later went on to direct “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Chicken Little”, and stars Scott Bakula (Dr. Sam Beckett from “Quantum Leap”).

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 anything to destroy their dreams. Danny decides to steal the show from Darla, who shows her true colours. 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?

The film boasts lots of talent in all areas of the production.

Randy Newman does the music while the late great Gene Kelly acted as a choreography consultant (uncredited) for the film before he passed away in 1996.

The character design is fantastic and the animation is absolutely flawless with great over the top musical set pieces. The animation style is very cartoony, way-overblown and unbelievably manic!

So with all the ingredients of a classic, why the lack of exposure?

Well it’s all down to the Warner Bros marketing team in the 90’s. They have a lot to answer for since they followed this by also dropping the ball on “The Iron Giant”, which is regarded by many as a modern classic.  With the Iron Giant they actually went as far as apologising to the crew afterwards for the terrible marketing campaign but the damage had been done and all of the animators’ sweat and tears had gone to waste.

Luckily in the modern era and the explosion of the DVD format we can enjoy these films and the public have been made aware of them. At least not all has been lost.

This was a wonderful film, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh, likes cartoons, or just Scott Bakula!

It’s totally charming and encourages chasing your dreams, no matter how big they are and as T.W. says in the films, “They can break your cookie, but you’ll always have your fortune.”

Isn’t that the stuff dreams are made of!?

But don’t listen to me, here’s the first 10mins of the film for you to decide yourself…

…and yes I can see you tapping your feet about now!

So until next time stay animated!