INFO: 50 Years Later, Ev’rybody Still Wants to Be a Cat!

It’s been 50 years since audiences first picked up on the feline beat when The Aristocats was released on December 24, 1970. Walt Disney Productions’ 20th animated feature took four years to complete and was the second to be based on an original story. The film includes more than 325,000 drawings created by 35 animators and contains 20 main sequences with 1,125 separate scenes utilizing approximately 900 painted backgrounds.

The Aristocats was the last animated feature Walt Disney was involved in making, and the first full-length animated feature to be produced in its entirety after his passing. Out of respect for Walt, Disney Legend Maurice Chevalier came out of retirement to sing the film’s title song, “The Aristocats,” written by the Sherman brothers.

Originally intended to be a two-part, live-action installment of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Colortelevision series, albeit focusing on the humans, it was decided in 1963 that the characters and situations were a better fit for animation, telling the story from the cat’s perspective.

Walt participated in various stages of early development for the project—the Walt Disney Archives has notes from Walt-attended story meetings that date as late as mid-summer of 1966. The film used an approach to plot development that was new at the time, where all main action was outlined in detail before animation began. Although early in story development, it is evident that Walt was hands-on in meetings, even acting out ideas, as featured in this note from when they were trying to figure out how to introduce Berlioz’ musical abilities: “Lead into kitten playing piano. He is chasing fly on piano and gets involved with playing tune (Walt acted out).”

After Walt’s passing on December 15, 1966, Disney Legend and founder of the Archives, Dave Smith, created an inventory of all objects found in Walt’s office suite. A cabinet in the northwest corner of the formal office contained a screenplay and story treatment for The Aristocats, along with screenplays for other later projects like Pete’s Dragon and the U.S.A., The Happiest Millionaire, and The Family Band.

The Aristocats is now streaming on Disney+.

Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman, and Maurice Chevalier working on the film’s title song, “The Aristocats.”

Eva Gabor posing with a cut-out of the character she voiced in the film, Duchess.

Phil Harris and Scatman Crothers, side-by-side with the characters they voiced, Thomas O’Malley and Scat Cat.

Aristocats (1970) One Sheet

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story