Mood: Content.
Music: Flake – Jack Johnson
Now let me make something perfectly clear in the beginnings of this review – I am writing about the 1967 version of Doctor Dolittle, starring Rex Harrison as the Doctor. I have seen the version starring Eddie Murphy and I disliked it entirely. Oh, it’s all well and good for comedy, but the original Doctor Dolittle, the original is something of wonder, and to have them remake it into some horrible two bit- but, I bite my tongue, as I think I’ve made my opinion obvious.
Doctor Dolittle is a musical about a doctor who can speak to animals. Along with Rex Harrison, we have Anthony Newley as the Irishman Matthew Mugg, his young friend Tommy Stubbins (played by William Dix), and Samantha Eggar as Emma Fairfax making up the main cast. Another actor I feel worth mentioning is Geoffrey Holder, who played William Shakespeare X, and did a wonderful job.
In the beginning of the movie, Matthew takes Tommy to see Doctor Dolittle, with a duck in tow who’s hurt it’s wing. Dolittle is introduced to us as a kind man who just happens to get along better with animals. This is shown through the rest of the movie, wherein Dolittle struggles to understand his own race, and in one song, their treatment of animals. By the end of the film, it is obvious he may never get along well with humans, save a precious few, but will always be a dear friend of animals.
I’m getting ahead of myself, though. What shall I comment on? The settings? The plot? The music? I will tell you that the movie is a bit long, so one must have some patience for it, but it’s worth it in the end. It has a few dragging scenes, or at least I thought so. The settings tended towards colorful, even the ship they sailed on in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail, which was covered in flowers that Dolittle cared for. The plot was straightforward, Dolittle wants to go and find the before mentioned snail, and while having a few mishaps along the way, does eventually succeed.
The music, ah, now the music was interesting. I didn’t, admittedly, care for all the songs, but there was one that I loved – Matthew’s song ‘Beautiful Things’, something about the lyrics caught me, though another good song from the movie is ‘Doctor Dolittle’, sung by Matthew, Tommy, and the islanders of Sea-Star Island. It put me something in the mind of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original, with Gene Wilder), and I debated which I liked better. I think for now I prefer Dolittle – it makes me crave less chocolate and edible teacups. Speaking of which, does anyone know what those teacups were made of? I’ve always puzzled about that…
Alright, this thing is running on a bit, so I’ll try and get to the end of it. I’ll take a moment to mention William Shakespeare X, who for the purpose of typing (and because he was called this in the movie) we’ll dub Willy. He’s the leader of the indians on the Sea-Star Island, who seem a peaceful bunch, well, aside from their strict following of the law book, which involves lots of painful deaths for odd things (such as knocking a big rock into the volcano, even though this was done whilst fixing another problem).
The Sea-Star indians all speak eight or more languages, are well read, and wear either orange or pink cloth, with shells and flowers as accents. According to Willy, most are named after their parents favorite authors (explaining his name).
Willy seems an intelligent, well-mannered man, although not inclined to break the laws of his people to save Dolittle and co., even if the laws seem rather silly. He is quick to announce when there’s something to save them that adheres to the laws, though.
Overall, out of ten stars, I’d give this movie nine and a half, the slight dragging bits stealing the half star.
Oh, and yes, I’ve been horrible at keeping up my posting. I told you to get out whips and speed dials for a reason, loves.
– S.
P.S., do forgive me, but I nearly forgot to mention that Doctor Dolittle is based on a series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting. Also, the title of this post comes from the song ‘My Friend the Doctor’, sung by Matthew early in the film.
