ZEBRA IN THE KITCHEN
US, 1965, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jay North, Martin Milner, Andy Devine, Joyce Meadows, Jim Davis.
Directed by Ivan Tors.
Zebra in the Kitchen is a slight family film, very popular in the mid-1960s – but does not look so good now. The title is something of a misnomer, the zebra appearing only in the animated credit sequences along with a whole lot of other animals intruding into domestic scenes. The acting is also somewhat limited – with Jay North, television’s Dennis the Menace, as a boy who has a pet mountain lion at his home in the countryside and who is upset when the family has to move to the city and he brings his mountain line with him.
The framework of the film is about another little boy who has a pet bear and does not want to give him up so the manager of the local zoo, played by veteran Andy Devine, tells him a story about the boy with the mountain lion and what happened, with the result that the little boy is willing to give up his bear to be cared for in the zoo.
Children can probably identify with the intense friendship of the boy with his mountain lion, but adults will be rather impatient with his attachment to his pet, his behaviour, and, ultimately, his wilful freeing all the animals of the zoo so that they wander around the town, causing some G-rated mayhem. And he gets off rather lightly with a reprimand and the promise to work at the zoo, something he was doing already, taking every opportunity to see his mountain line. Martin Milner is the doctor at the zoo who is campaigning for improvements but who is thwarted by members of the city council, especially one counsellor who is dead-set on not giving the zoo any money and getting rid of the doctor. The doctor has a very attractive assistant who is skilful at the zoo and care of animals. Ultimately, Andy Devine takes the blame for freeing the animal so that he can protect the boy. He is ultimately praised by everyone for his kindness.
The film was directed by Ivan Tors, a producer of a great deal of family television in the 1960s and 1970s. He was responsible for Flipper amongst other programs.
1. An appealing family film, the response of children to the animals, identifying with the boy, the adventures and comedy with the animals? Adult responses?
2. The framework of the story, little boy with the bear, not want to give him up, Mr Hawksbill telling him the story about Chris and the mountain lion, the concern of the parents, the boy ultimately giving up the pet for the zoo?
3. Chris and his family, with the mountain lion, the news that they had to move to the city, the cousins and their help, his smuggling the animal onto the truck, into the house, and its running in and eating the food at the neighbour’s house? In company with the pet dog? Chris’ sadness about the pet, going to the zoo?
4. Meeting Dr Hartwood and his assistant, the discussions about the mountain lion, in the cage? His coming back to see this pet? The rest of the animals and the dingy aspects of the zoo? The animals’ lack of energy? His being offered the job to assist Mr Hawksbill? His enjoying it? His parents happy with him? The visit with his cousin to the zoo?
5. His being upset about the animals and their being caged, his wanting to set them free? His opening all the cages? The animals wandering freely through the town, and elephants, lions and the rest of the animals? The comedy of the human response? Yet the dangers?
6. The visit of the Council meant the zoo, Dr Hartwood and his forthright views? The counsellor wanting to sack him?
7. Dr Hartwood and the deadline to get the animals back, the role of the police, the stun guns, the big game hunter wanting to kill the animals, the difficulties, the ultimate success? Chris and his hiding with his pet?
8. The court, the judge, Mr Hawksbill taking the blame, in prison, is being justified in the court? The admiration of the judge Mr Mark? The penalty for Chris and his working with the animals?
