Lady and the Tramp
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cast: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Peggy Lee, Verna Felton
Disney’s 15th animated masterpiece, “Lady and the Tramp”, is one of the most beautiful and unique love stories that Disney has created to date. A rarity in the Disney canon since its inspiration does not originate from a classic fairy tale; “Lady and the Tramp” is a story about a beautiful cocker spaniel named Lady who falls in love with the Tramp, a handsome, gentle-hearted dog from the streets.
Perspective plays a very important role in “Lady and the Tramp”. What makes this film truly unique is that unlike most Disney films, this story is told purely from the perspective of the two dogs: Lady and the Tramp.
One of the most controversial perspectives involves the arrival of the new baby in Lady’s family. Initially, Lady is puzzled because her once devoted owners, Jim Dear and Darling, have become less affectionate toward her. When Lady’s friends, Jock and Trusty, attempt to enlighten Lady about what babies are, this moment coincides with Lady’s first encounter with the Tramp. The Tramp tells Lady that once the baby is born, Lady’s owners will love the baby instead of Lady, and she will be cast aside and forgotten. The Tramp is soon proven wrong, however, when the baby is born and Lady realizes that the child is a welcome addition to her family, and her owners’ affection for her still remains very much intact. Ironically, despite having a negative opinion of the baby initially, it is the Tramp who bravely comes to the baby’s defense when he hears Lady’s desperate cries for help after she sees a rat going into the baby’s nursery window. The Tramp follows the rat into the nursery and his courage and keen fighting prowess save the baby from the villainous rodent before he can do the baby harm.
One perspective that stands out in the film is the stark contrast between the two main characters. While Lady is born into a life of charm and class, the Tramp is a free spirit who has no desire to be shackled to a life on the end of a leash. While Lady is devoted to her family, the Tramp has a “home” for every day of the week. After she flees from Aunt Sarah, the babysitter, Lady is inadvertently drawn into the Tramp’s world. She is terrified until she is reunited with the Tramp after he protects her from a pack of vicious dogs. When the Tramp realizes that it is Lady he is defending, he comforts her and shows her his version of life. As they share a romantic dinner under the stars, Lady finds herself falling in love with this handsome stranger, however, she is torn between her desire to be with the Tramp and her devotion to her family. After the Tramp rescues the baby from the villainous rat, Aunt Sarah assumes that the Tramp has come to attack the baby and he is taken away to the pound. Lady shows her Jim Dear the truth of the Tramp's heroic act, and they rescue him, allowing the Tramp to become a member of the family.
“Lady and the Tramp” is one of Disney’s most beautiful animated films. The stunning animation, coupled with a uniquely creative story and characters, creates a film that has become one of Disney’s most enduring classics.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cast: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Peggy Lee, Verna Felton
Disney’s 15th animated masterpiece, “Lady and the Tramp”, is one of the most beautiful and unique love stories that Disney has created to date. A rarity in the Disney canon since its inspiration does not originate from a classic fairy tale; “Lady and the Tramp” is a story about a beautiful cocker spaniel named Lady who falls in love with the Tramp, a handsome, gentle-hearted dog from the streets.
Perspective plays a very important role in “Lady and the Tramp”. What makes this film truly unique is that unlike most Disney films, this story is told purely from the perspective of the two dogs: Lady and the Tramp.
One of the most controversial perspectives involves the arrival of the new baby in Lady’s family. Initially, Lady is puzzled because her once devoted owners, Jim Dear and Darling, have become less affectionate toward her. When Lady’s friends, Jock and Trusty, attempt to enlighten Lady about what babies are, this moment coincides with Lady’s first encounter with the Tramp. The Tramp tells Lady that once the baby is born, Lady’s owners will love the baby instead of Lady, and she will be cast aside and forgotten. The Tramp is soon proven wrong, however, when the baby is born and Lady realizes that the child is a welcome addition to her family, and her owners’ affection for her still remains very much intact. Ironically, despite having a negative opinion of the baby initially, it is the Tramp who bravely comes to the baby’s defense when he hears Lady’s desperate cries for help after she sees a rat going into the baby’s nursery window. The Tramp follows the rat into the nursery and his courage and keen fighting prowess save the baby from the villainous rodent before he can do the baby harm.
One perspective that stands out in the film is the stark contrast between the two main characters. While Lady is born into a life of charm and class, the Tramp is a free spirit who has no desire to be shackled to a life on the end of a leash. While Lady is devoted to her family, the Tramp has a “home” for every day of the week. After she flees from Aunt Sarah, the babysitter, Lady is inadvertently drawn into the Tramp’s world. She is terrified until she is reunited with the Tramp after he protects her from a pack of vicious dogs. When the Tramp realizes that it is Lady he is defending, he comforts her and shows her his version of life. As they share a romantic dinner under the stars, Lady finds herself falling in love with this handsome stranger, however, she is torn between her desire to be with the Tramp and her devotion to her family. After the Tramp rescues the baby from the villainous rat, Aunt Sarah assumes that the Tramp has come to attack the baby and he is taken away to the pound. Lady shows her Jim Dear the truth of the Tramp's heroic act, and they rescue him, allowing the Tramp to become a member of the family.
“Lady and the Tramp” is one of Disney’s most beautiful animated films. The stunning animation, coupled with a uniquely creative story and characters, creates a film that has become one of Disney’s most enduring classics.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.