DOCTOR DOOLITTLE

US, 1967, 152 minutes, Colour.
Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, Richard Attenborough, Peter Bull, William Dix, Geoffrey Holder, Norma Vadin.
Directed by Richard Fleischer.

Doctor Dolittle is Hugh Lofting’s character, the doctor at Puddleby -on-the- Marsh who is able to talk to animals but who is looking for the Great Pink Seasnail in order to learn its language. Rex Harrison obviously enjoys himself in the role of Doctor Dolittle, very much in the vein of his Professor Higgins, though more genial. Samantha Eggar is an artificial love interest. However, Anthony Newley, musical composer with Leslie Bricusse of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, is Doctor Dolittle’s assistant. There is an enjoyable performance by Richard Attenborough as Albert Blossom, the circus master who has a Push Me- Pull You.

The film was big-budget, big in ambition – wanting to follow the success of The Sound of Music. However, it did not achieve the success that was expected. However, in the decades afterwards, it has been a film to delight many children and family audiences. There are a range of songs, especially ‘Talk to the Animals’ for which Leslie Bricusse won an Oscar. (There was also an Oscar for special effects.)

The story was resurrected, transferred to the United States and made a star vehicle in the 1990s for Eddie Murphy – producing a very popular sequel as well.

1. What age group was this film made for? Why was it enjoyable for them? Was it an enjoyable adult film? Why? How much allowance should adults make for enjoying this film?

2. Is Dr. Doolittle a popular figure? Or do audiences have their own ideas about him before they arrive?

3. The fact that the story was told by Anthony Newly? And we saw the doctor and all the adventures through child's eye? The friendship between the little boy and Newly? Newly opening his eyes to the world of Dr Doolittle?

4. Did you like Dr. Doolittle? (Was he too much the expected Rex Harrison?) Was he an interesting man in himself? Why was he likable? Why had he devoted himself to the animals? Was he equally as tolerant of humans? Did he explain himself well? His encounter with the judge?

5. Why were the sequences with the animals in Dr. Doolittle’s house be so delightful for young audiences? How attractive are animals? The particular sequences of talking with the animals? The parrot?

6. The importance of the sequences with the lord and the hunt? The importance of the sequences with his horses? How did this bring an element of conflict into the story, to make it interesting? The clash between Dr Doolittle and his opponents?

7. How attractive was Emma? The fact that she was related to her uncle? Her haughtiness? Her disdain of Dr Doolittle? What changed her? Why did she become so likable?

8. How important were the songs in the film? Anthony Newly’s description of the world of Dr Doolittle? Dr Doolittle and talking to the animals?

9. Emma at the crossroads of life etc.? Did the songs add or detract from the film? Did you enjoy the sequence with the Push Me-Pull? You? The bit of magic in a magic film?

10. Did you like Blossom? His song about never having seen anything like it in his life? Did he exploit the push me-pull you? Was it the right thing for Dr. Doolittle to exhibit his animals? Was it in a good cause? Did that justify it?

11. How important for the development of the film was the court case? Dr. Doolittle was concerned for the seal? The way that he got the seal to the sea? His telling of the sad story about the seal? Did he deserve the action and reaction of the court against him? What effect did this have on him?

12. Did you enjoy the expedition? Was it a good sea adventure? The way that they were able to live before the storm? The fact that Emma was on board? The way Dr Doolittle ran the ship so severely? How frightening was the storm? Were you glad when they all finally survived?

13. What was your reaction to the natives on the island? Shakespeare and the enjoyment of his spoken English? The fact that Dr. Doolittle was able to make friends with them? What point was being made here? Or was it just another adventure?

14. Dr. Doolittle as a hero for the island returning to its other part? The sea shell and the happy ending? What were the best features of this film as a spectacle? As a fantasy? Which details were the most impressive technically?