Tickets $10/$9
One Hundred and One Dalmatians, released in 1961 (often referred to as the 1962 film in some regions due to international rollouts), is a beloved Disney animated adventure comedy based on Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, and Wolfgang Reitherman, the film follows Dalmatian couple Pongo and Perdita, along with their human owners Roger and Anita Radcliffe, as they rally a network of animals across London to rescue their 15 puppies from the villainous fashionista Cruella De Vil, who plans to use the pups’ fur for a spotted coat. The movie pioneered the use of xerography (a dry photocopying process) for animation, allowing for more efficient production of the numerous spotted dogs and giving it a distinctive, sketchy visual style that captured the charm of mid-century London.
The film has a runtime of 79 minutes (1 hour 19 minutes) and carries a G rating for general audiences, making it suitable for all ages with its mix of humor, suspense, and heartwarming themes of family and animal friendship. Key voice credits include Rod Taylor as Pongo, Cate Bauer as Perdita, Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella De Vil (and Miss Birdwell), Ben Wright as Roger Radcliffe, Lisa Davis as Anita Radcliffe, J. Pat O’Malley as Colonel and Jasper, Martha Wentworth as Nanny (and others), and supporting voices from Frederick Worlock, David Frankham, and more. It was produced by Walt Disney, with screenplay by Bill Peet, music by George Bruns, and art direction by Ken Anderson. The film remains a classic for its memorable characters, catchy songs like “Cruella De Vil,” and enduring appeal to families.