Why ‘The Aristocats’ Is Actually The Best Disney Movie, Hands Down
A historic production company, Walt Disney Animation Studios is probably the most widely-known animated filmmaker in the world. Beginning with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, they’ve been delivering Oscar-winning cartoons for almost a century. And yet, in their 63 films, a few are more underrated than they should be.
When you ask somebody what their favorite Disney film is, more likely than not, they’ll say one of the classics: The Little Mermaid, Lion King, or even more recent ones like Frozen and Encanto. But rarely does anyone say that their favorite Disney film of all time is 1970’s The Aristocats. It’s a disservice to arguably one of the best animated Disney movies, often lumped in with the B-listers and less popular classics, but with an unrivaled voice cast, artistic animation, iconic quotes, and lovable characters in a wholesome plot, what isn’t to love?
The Aristocats is one of Disney’s first completely original films, dreaming up a wholesome plot and beloved characters.
For those who don’t remember, The Aristocats follows Madame Adelaide Bonfamille’s family of cats—Duchess, Toulouse, Marie, and Berlioz—after the evil butler Edgar sneakily abandons them in the wilderness. Edgar overhears that the Madame plans to leave her entire will and estate to the cats, although he would be next in line after the cats (and their descendants) die out. Wanting to avoid a life caring for cats he doesn’t care for while living in poverty, he plots to remove the cats from his path to wealth. The only character who suspects Edgar is the mansion’s house mouse, Roquefort, who is actually friends with the cats.
As the cats try to find their way home, a classic hero’s tale of getting lost and ending up found, they meet several odd characters along the way. The alley cat, J. Thomas O’Malley, takes a liking to Duchess, and although he’s characterized as a “philanderer who trifles with unsuspecting women’s hearts,” he also falls in love with fatherhood. The Aristocats shows the good in people (well, cats) and reminds us to follow joy, love, and adventure through O’Malley and the cats’ journey. The younger kittens meet animals they never would otherwise, such as the kind English geese on holiday and the Scat Cat’s jazzy gang, all lovable characters who prove that leaving our comfort zone can lead to worthwhile experiences.
While most Disney films are based on books, plays, and other stories, the only two entirely original films before The Aristocats were Saludos Amigos (1943) and The Three Caballeros (1945), arguably Disney’s least popular animated films of all time. Even after The Aristocats, the studio’s next original story wouldn’t be produced until 2000’s Dinosaur. Ever since, there have been only 10 completely original plots, so it’s easy to admit that The Aristocats comes in near the top of the bunch.
The cast and design of The Aristocats is almost unrivaled.
Whether or not you’re a classic film buff, Eva Gabor’s name should ring a bell. While she had bit roles in films through the 1950s that starred Elizabeth Taylor, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and more, she rose to popularity as Lisa Douglas on the 1960s sitcom, Green Acres. Opposite Eva as J. Thomas O’Malley was Phil Harris, a radio pioneer who made numerous guest appearances on television, such as in The Dean Martin Show and The Johnny Cash Show. Before voicing O’Malley, he became a Disney favorite as the voice of Baloo in The Jungle Book.
Of course, however, we have to mention Roquefort, who was voiced by Sterling Holloway, otherwise known as Winnie-the-Pooh. Yes, the titular franchise honey-loving bear takes a turn as a house mouse in our favorite animated feature. Another Disney favorite, he also voiced Mr. Stork in Dumbo, Adult Flower in Bambi, the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Kaa in The Jungle Book, and much more.
But The Aristocats’ most exciting cast members come from the jam session on a Paris rooftop with Scat Cat and his gang. Disney actually tapped Scatman Crothers to play his namesake, comedian Paul Winchell to play the controversially racist Shun Gon, English DJ Lord Tim Hudson to play Hit Cat, prolific actor Vito Scotti to play Peppo, and singer Thurl Ravenscroft to play Billy Boss. There’s a reason “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat” is such a banger, and it’s in part due to the highly acclaimed voice cast behind it.
The animation style also pays homage to Paris, jazz, and the beauty of cats. While Disney’s studios had developed to a cleaner animation style by 1970, the studio opted to make the drawing style clear, a nod to French impressionism and the artistic inspiration of sketch artists throughout Paris. During “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat,” the film flies into a psychedelic sequence reminiscent of the ‘70s, bringing The Aristocats into their modern day, showing how the different classes of Paris exist in different modes.
The Aristocats has several memorable quotes and moments that catapult it to be one of the best Disney movies.
We could go on and on about the themes, style, and cast of The Aristocats, but nothing will ever beat the adorable and quotable moments sprinkled throughout The Aristocats. From the kittens practicing their scales on the piano to Toulouse’s too-skilled painting (a nod to French artist Toulouse-Lautrec), The Aristocats is full of moments that make us not just want our own cats, but make us want to be a cat (just like the song!)
Ladies do not start fights, but they can finish them!
“Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat” is such a catchy tune, but its descent into jazz improvisation adds a chaos not often heard in Disney films, making us want to grab a bottle of champagne and dance the night away in a seedy French underground speakeasy. Marie, the kitten, is a hopeless romantic, who quips, “How romantic” at the funniest times. But she’s also been enshrined in meme culture as a feminist icon, remembered most for her quote, “Ladies do not start fights, but they can finish them!”
Plus, the geese’s aforementioned analysis of O’Malley made the rounds as an apt description for the modern-day womanizer, although using their turn of phrase is a much more playful way of describing someone who breaks hearts. With its strong female characters, skepticism of womanizing men, and hilarious adorable quotes, there’s no better Disney movie than The Aristocats.
Watch The Aristocats on Disney+.
