After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
- Won 2 Oscars
- 6 wins & 15 nominations total
Frank Baker
- Trial Spectator
- (uncredited)
Buddy Bryan
- Roustabout
- (uncredited)
Garrett Cassell
- Inmate
- (uncredited)
Edward Cast
- Prison Guard
- (uncredited)
Judy Chapman
- Dancer
- (uncredited)
Judy the Chimpanzee
- Chee-Chee
- (uncredited)
Phyllis Coghlan
- Courtroom Spectator
- (uncredited)
Robert Cole
- Roustabout
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"The Reluctant Vegetarian" was one of the hardest scenes to film, mainly because of the number of animals that had to sit still for a lengthy period. The cast had hours of rehearsal and preparation before filming started. The first take went very well, until Sir Rex Harrison stopped singing. Director Richard Fleischer asked him why, and Harrison said he heard him yell "Cut!" Fleischer denied it, and they were starting to argue about it when both heard a voice yell "Cut!" The guilty party turned out to be Polynesia the Parrot. Harrison said "That's the first time I've ever been directed by a parrot. But she may be right. I probably can do it better."
- GoofsWhen considering ways to change the course of the island, Dr. Dolittle says elephants cannot swim. Elephants are excellent swimmers, which he should know.
- Quotes
Dr. Dolittle: I do not understand the human race/Has so little love for creatures with a different face./Treating animals like people is no madness or disgrace./I do not understand the human race.
- Alternate versionsIn the general release version of the film, the songs "Where Are The Words", sung by Anthony Newley, and "Something in Your Smile", sung by Rex Harrison, were omitted.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Film Review: Richard Attenborough (1968)
- SoundtracksOverture
Written by Leslie Bricusse
Performed by 20th Century Fox Studio Orchestra, conducted by Lionel Newman
Featured review
So attached am I to Rex Harrison's personage to the character of Doctor Dolittle, when I see copies of Hugh Lofting's books without the movie tie-in shots I actually feel cheated. There is no other Doctor Dolittle for me. Harrison is wonderful and regal amongst his animals and I love many of his lines (the spin he gives to his dialogue makes the words his own). My favorite: "When you say 'He can speak crab and pelican', they'll say 'Like hell he can!'" (cue parrot's ruffled reaction). Admittedly, "Doctor Dolittle" gets off to a clunky start with Anthony Newley telling of Dolittle's beginnings...and the film goes into stillborn flashback mode. I get defensive if a movie foists a flashback on me in the first 15 minutes (and this flashback is a long one, laden with silly slapstick). Why not start the story with Dolittle finding his voice, cut the introduction with Newley, and then get on with the plot? After this tiresome, talky opening, the pacing does pick up (right about the time Richard Attenborough enters as circus-owner Blossom). Harrison is on-target throughout but, story-wise, momentum doesn't build until the second hour, when Dolittle and his companions hit the South Seas in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail. Overall, the film simply LOOKS smashing, with marvelous locations in England's most beautiful city, Castle Combe. It is flawed (with that bad opening), but stick with it and see if you find Rex Harrison as charming as I did. *** from ****
- moonspinner55
- Feb 4, 2001
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Cudnovati dr. Dulitl
- Filming locations
- Marigot Bay, St Lucia(giant snail on the beach)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $17,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 32 minutes
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