`THE ARISTOCATS' VIDEO RELEASE GIVES FRENCH FELINES NEW LIFE.Byline: Doug Nye Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire ``The Aristocats'' has never gained the legendary reputation of ``Fantasia fantasia (făntā`zhə) [Ital.,=fancy], musical composition not restricted to a formal design, but constructed freely in the manner of an improvisation. In the 16th and 17th cent. ,'' ``Snow White'' and ``Bambi,'' but the movie has a very special place in the history of Disney animation. It was the last such project approved by Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney prior to his death in 1966. Four years later, ``The Aristocats'' arrived in movie theaters. Counting two subsequent theatrical releases (1980 and 1987), the film has grossed more than $130 million in box office receipts. During the next few months, ``The Aristocats'' figures to pull in even more cash for the Disney vaults because this week it is being released on video for the first time. It will carry a suggested retail price of $26.99, but shop around because various outlets will offer the film at a lower price. This is one of those animated features that Disney issues on a limited basis. That means in a few months it will be pulled from release and shelved for several years. Set in turn-of-the-century Paris, ``The Aristocats'' is about a family of high-society cats which is to be left the entire estate of their millionairess Mil`lion`air´ess n. 1. A woman who is a millionaire, or the wife of a millionaire. Noun 1. millionairess - a woman millionaire have, rich person, wealthy person - a person who possesses great material wealth owner when she dies. Her butler, Edgar, doesn't like the idea so he kidnaps the Duchess (the mother cat) and her three kittens and dumps them in the French countryside. That sets off a series of adventures for the Duchess and her brood. Along the way they run into a hip alley cat alley cat n. A homeless or stray cat. Noun 1. alley cat - a homeless cat domestic cat, Felis catus, Felis domesticus, house cat - any domesticated member of the genus Felis , Thomas O`Malley, who helps them get back to Paris and also get the best of the evil Edgar. Phil Harris provides the voice of Thoma O'Malley, and Eva Garbor supplies the voice of the Duchess. The man doing the words for Roquefort is Sterling Holloway, who also was the original voice of Winnie the Pooh. Other familiar faces ... uh ... voices include Paul Winchell Paul Winchell (December 21, 1922 – June 24, 2005), born Pinkus Wilchinski (the family later shortened it to Wilchin), was an American ventriloquist and voice actor from New York City whose career flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. (Oriental Cat), George ``Goober'' Lindsey (Lafayette), Scat SCAT sheep cell agglutination test. Man Crothers (Scat Cat) and Nancy Kulp Nancy Jane Kulp (born August 28, 1921 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, died February 3, 1991 in California) was an Emmy Award - nominated American actress best known as "Miss Jane Hathaway" on the popular television series The Beverly Hillbillies. (Frou-Frou). The title tune is sung by Maurice Chevalier. The animation is first-rate and the backgrounds of early-1900s Paris are downright beautiful. |
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