Lady And The Tramp (1955)

Set in 1919, a husband (Lee Millar) gives his wife (Peggy Lee) a cocker spaniel puppy called Lady (Barbara Luddy) for Christmas. A few years later, when the couple have a baby, problems arise. Based on the short story HAPPY DAN, THE CYNICAL DOG by Ward Greene and directed by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi and Wilfred Jackson. I'm not a big fan of Walt Disney's animated output of the 30s, 40s and 50s but the charming LADY AND THE TRAMP is probably my favorite of the bunch. At a relatively short running time (one hour, 17 minutes), it doesn't wear out its welcome. It was Disney's first film in the CinemaScope format. The film features songs by Peggy Lee (who voices several characters in the movie) and Sonny Burke. It's somewhat dated in that the film applies human ethnic and racial stereotypes to its canine and feline characters. Notably, in the Asian features of the film's Siamese cats which are portrayed as manipulating and untrustworthy although The Siamese Cat Song number is delightful. With the voices of Larry Roberts (the Tramp of the title), Verna Felton, Bill Thompson and Bill Baucom.