DVD Review: Disney’s “The Aristocats”

The exciting tale takes place in the heart of Paris where a kind and eccentric millionairess, wills her entire estate to ‘Duchess,’ a high society cat, and her three kittens.  When the bumbling butler Edgar tries to pull off the ultimate catnap caper in order to secure the fortune for himself, it’s up to alley cat Thomas O’Malley and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day.  “The Aristocats” features the voice talents of Eva Gabor, Phil Harris, Sterling Halloway and legendary French singer Maurice Chevalier, who performs the film’s titular opening song.  The legendary Disney songwriting team of brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman, get the joint jumping with the jazz-inspired musical numbers “Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat,” “Scales and Arpeggios,” and “Thomas O’Malley Cat.”

 “The Aristocats” Special Edition is a purr-fect treat for the whole family.  It includes a brand new bonus featurette “The Lost Open” with Richard Sherman taking viewers through the storyboards of a never-before-seen alternate beginning which introduces a deleted character and a deleted song “How Much You Mean To Me” and “Court Me Slowly” written and performed by the Sherman brothers. This song demo was one of the few times Richard and Robert ever sang together.

Additional classic bonus features on “The Aristocats” Special Edition include the delightful deleted song, “She Never Felt Alone” and “The Great Cat Family (Excerpt),” which explores the history of cats.

The Lost Open: legendary songwriter Richard Sherman introduces an early story board iteration of an opening scene complete a deleted character named “the Maid” and demos for the deleted songs “How Much You Mean to Me” and “Court Me Slowly.”

“Oui Oui Marie” Music Video

Deleted Song – “She Never Felt Alone”: This deleted song, complete with animation, will tug at the heartstrings of any animal lover, as Duchess explains to Thomas O’ Malley why she must return to her beloved owner Madame Bonfamille. Richard Sherman discusses the song he co-wrote with his brother Robert, which captures the special relationship between a pet owner and their animal. It’s a moving sequence that will stir everyone’s fondest memories of their favorite pets.

The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs: A tribute to the legendary Disney songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman, with particular emphasis on “The Aristocats.”

The Great Cat Family (Excerpt): This animated excerpt tells the history of cats from ancient Egyptians to the present.

The Classic Disney short “Bath Day”: Figaro has been freshly bathed and perfumed by Minnie when he meets up with Lucifer and his gang who chase him. In the ensuing fight, the gang is fooled into beating up Lucifer and making Figaro the winner. But the victor is soon putback in the tub by Minnie.

Disney Song Selection:

• “The Aristocats”
• “Scales and Arpeggios”
• “Thomas O’Malley Cat”
• “Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat”