Doctor Dolittle (1998)
Directed by: Betty Thomas
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) thinks that being able to talk to animals is a curse but eventually it turns into a blessing.
Kitty Cameos: Dolittle is trying to help a sick tiger and calls a noted Feline Health Specialist named Dr. Fish (Jeffrey Tambor). As Dr. Fish is talking on the phone, he is treating some cats but he clearly has no idea how to properly handle them. While the cats are held in strange positions they don’t seem too troubled and the angry sounds are dubbed in.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Eventually Dolittle’s interaction with animals gets him committed to an institution run by his former fellow med school student Blaine (Paul Giamatti in an uncredited role). Dolittle is waiting in Blaine’s office with a large, longhair gray and white cat.
It is clear Blaine is jealous of Dolittle for finishing first in their class (and John notes that Blaine finished last). So Blaine makes fun of his affliction, asking if he would rather speak to his cat Bettleheim (named after the noted psychologist).
Dolittle says he doesn’t need to talk to the cat and Blaine taunts him saying, “What, do you think he would talk back to you?” Blaine gently shakes the cat back and forth as he speaks. “You know, he just might,” Dolittle retorts. “And what would he say?” Blaine asks. The camera pans to Bettleheim who says to Dolittle, “I’d say you were a butthead.” We assume this last line was directed at Blaine and not Dolittle, as this makes Dolittle laugh. The talking was achieved in this scene by animating over the cat’s mouth.
“I really like this cat,” Dolittle smiles.
Later when Blaine refuses to sign Dolittle’s release papers, Dolittle calmly says, “Tell you what, Blaine. You sign my release form and I won’t tell our fellow doctor friends about that pink tutu you keep in your closet. With the thong back.” Blaine tries to laugh it off but it’s obvious that Dolittle is telling the truth. Blaine looks to Bettleheim, who giggles along with Dolittle. This secures Dolittle’s release.
The cat actor playing Bettleheim is most likely either Elvis or Pearl or of the same cat team who appeared in many films in this same time period.
Final Mewsings: Cats know all of our secrets!
Many thanks to Mark Murton for reminding us of the cats in this film.
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