Cats Don't Dance

The rags-to-riches story of Danny, a talented cat whose lifelong goal of movie stardom is sidetracked when he discovers only humans get the good roles in Hollywood. On the big screen, animals can bark, meow or moo, but cats don't dance. Danny vows to break through the species barrier and prove that dreams really can come true.

Cats Don't Dance is typical fare: a dancing cat who wants to be a Hollywood star circa 1939. Of course, animals only play animal roles in the movies, but our hero Danny (a cat) won't accept that as an answer. Plenty of big laughs for adults here, but there are also some wonderful characters including the bratty baby starlet Darla Dimple (Shirley Temple meets Baby Herman) and her Schwarzenegger-type bodyguard Max. There's also a jittery hippo, a cute penguin, and a keen elephant who helps Danny fulfill his dream and land the girl--err, cat. Randy Newman's songs are just as inspired as the film: a pleasant, kid-friendly picture with lots to satisfy the older crowd as well. --Doug Thomas