Please Pass The Milk

We recently purchased the Aristocats on DVD and have been enjoying it ever since. We often buy Disney movies especially ones that have been re-released on video after a long hiatus. Since we also have the book (thanks to the Grolier Book Club), my girls were also familiar with the story.

The Aristocats is set in Paris in the home of a very wealthy old woman who dotes on her beloved Dutchess and her 3 kittens (Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz). They are pampered and coddled much to the dislike of Madame's butler, Edgar. Madame is preparing her will and Edgar finds out only to assume that she will leave her vast inheritance to the cats and not leave any for him. Determined to become the sole heir, he slips the kitties a sleeping agent into their milk and drags them off on his motorcycle into the countryside.

The cats awaken to find themselves in unfamiliar country territory and must find their way back to Paris. They come upon an alley cat by the name of O'Malley and he helps them to find their way home. On the way, they encounter some problems most notably with a train while walking on a tressle but O'Malley saves the day.

Although he is not proper and bred like Dutchess and her kittens, he has street smart and Dutchess is taken by him as are the kittens. They are hoping for a father and see O'Malley as one who could fit the bill.

O'Malley gets them to Paris and stashes them for the night in an apartment belonging to some Jazz Musician cats. There they all have a swinging time and dance the night away. Dutchess is falling for O'Malley while looking out at the Paris night under the stars.

The cats get back to Madame's house only to have Edgar find out that they are OK. He devises another plan to get rid of them but a friendly mouse and O'Malley Jazz Cat friends come to their rescue and give Edgar is come-uppance along with a one-way trip to Timbuktu.

Madame and the cats are reunited and bring a new addition to the house in O'Malley. He looks just adorable with a new tie and his fur parted down the middle. A family is born and O'Malley is now an Aristocat.


This movie is fun and you find yourself rooting for the cats as they make their way home. It shows that although you may come across another who does not have the same upbringing and background as you, you might just find a friend that could teach you a thing or two.

There is no violence in this film. Edgar never sets out to kill the cats just make them sleepy so he can take them far away from Paris and never have them return. It also has slap-stick comedy in it and some great songs. Kids of all ages should enjoy this film and some adults too. Even if you're not a cat lover.