Doctor Dolittle (1967)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  152 Minutes

Rated: Approved

Genre: Musical, Comedy, Family,

Director: Richard Fleischer

Starring: Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, Richard Attenborough, Peter Bull, Muriel Landers, William Dix

IMDB Rank: 6.2/10

Part 1 Time:  88 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  64 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Dr. Dolittle (Rex Harrison) pleads his closing statement to the court. The court finds him insane and he will be transferred to an asylum. Dr. Dolittle is escorted to jail awaiting transfer to the asylum.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Like animals” sings Dr. Dolittle to the judges.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “The prison faces the road here.” Matthew (Anthony Newley) speaks to Emma (Samantha Eggar) and Tommy (William Dix). The group plans to break Dr. Dolittle out of prison.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, the first part ends on a song. Dr. Dolittle is being sent to an asylum. How will this impact Dr. Dolittle’s quest in finding the Great Pink Sea Snail?

Which part is better? Part one, focuses primary on character relationships, Dr. Dolittle’s past, and his ability to communicate with animals. Part two begins Dr. Dolittle’s search for the Great Pink Sea Snail. Part one is better as we are able to not only see Dr. Dolittle treat and communicate with a variety of animals, but also hear the musical performances of “Talk to the Animals” and “Like Animals.”

Academy Awards: Best Effects-Special Effects, Best Music-Original Song (“Talk to the Animals”), Best Picture (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Music-Original Music Score (Nominated), Best Music-Scoring of Music Adaptation or Treatment (Nominated)