Buzz
The tradition of enjoying a movie on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is one that has endured for generations—and Disney made the most of it when they debuted The Aristocats on December 24, 1970. Here are some fun tidbits about these cool, jazzy cats that everyone loves.
1. It was originally meant to be a live-action movie.
Initially planned as a two-part live-action series for The Wonderful World of Disney, Walt Disney himself later decided that the story would be better suited for animation. Unfortunately, Walt passed away before he could see his vision come to life.
2. It was the first Disney film produced after the passing of Walt Disney.
While some critics felt that the absence of Walt’s creative direction affected the movie, The New York Times praised it, saying, “Bless the Walt Disney organization for The Aristocats, as funny, warm and sweet an animated, cartoon, package as ever gave a movie marquee a Christmas glow.”
3. It was the final film to receive direct approval from Walt Disney himself.
As a result, it holds the distinction of being the last movie to end with the phrase, “A Walt Disney Production.”
4. Six of Disney’s original “Nine Old Men” contributed to the film.
This included producer Wolfgang Reitherman, character animator Eric Larson, and the directing animators John Lounsbery, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, and Milt Kahl.
5. Some of Duchess's dance moves were later repurposed for Maid Marian's choreography in Robin Hood.
The sequence begins at 1:06 below, but the entire clip is worth watching if you haven’t seen it yet:
6. Louis Armstrong was originally cast to voice Scat Cat.
However, Armstrong fell ill just as recording began, so the role was instead filled by the aptly named Scatman Crothers. Crothers would later become famous for his roles in The Shining and voicing Meadowlark Lemon on the animated series The Harlem Globetrotters. He also voiced the beloved and bumbling canine hero, Hong-Kong Phooey.
7. Disney Legend Phil Harris provided the voice for Thomas O'Malley.
Harris also voiced Baloo in The Jungle Book. “I was really excited about doing Aristocats,” Harris once remarked. “I’m just playing myself again. They even allowed me to tweak some of the lines to match my personality. But honestly, all the credit goes to the director, producer, and animators. All we actors do is stand there and deliver the lines; they put the whole thing together.”
8. The film brought one legend out of retirement.
The iconic French actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier returned from retirement to sing the theme song for the movie.
9. Eva Gabor only provided the speaking voice for Duchess.
All of the singing in the film was performed by Robie Lester, who also provided the vocals for Gabor’s Bianca in The Rescuers.
10. Edgar originally had an accomplice: a maid named Elvira.
Elvira was meant to be voiced by Elsa Lanchester, known for her role as Katie Nanna in Mary Poppins and for her iconic portrayal of the Bride of Frankenstein.
11. At one point, there was also a fourth kitten named Waterloo.
Waterloo was ultimately removed because having four kittens was deemed too many characters.
12. The version of “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” featured on the soundtrack has been altered.
The original version included some now-outdated and politically incorrect lyrics sung by a Chinese cat named Shun Gon. You can hear it at 2:50:
13. In 2003, Disney Channel considered the idea of aging up Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz into teenagers for a potential syndicated series.
However, the concept was ultimately abandoned.
14. The plan for a sequel, The Aristocats II, which was set for release in 2005, was also shelved.
It was intended to be something like a murderless version of Murder on the Orient Express.
