Disney’s The Aristocats: 5 Saddest (& 5 Funniest) Moments

A vintage 70’s movie set in the heart of Paris, Disney’s The Aristocats is filled with romantic vibes channeled not only by the set of this city but also for the cute little characters who warm viewers’ hearts, each in their own way. When a kind and wealthy matriarch wills her entire estate to her beloved high-society cat squad, which includes the Duchess and her three kittens, her butler gets jealous and tries to get rid of these animals to try to win the old lady’s preference of choice.

This is the premise of the adventures that follow the film after Edgar (the butler) shamefully packs the cats in a basket and abandons them near a river in the countryside. A Disney classic that is brimming with a few sad moments… But also fun scenes!

10 Saddest: The Cat’s Robbery

Not long after the movie begins and the conflict has been established, viewers are witnesses of the first really sad moment: when Edgar sedates these adorable four cats, putting a chemical in their milk cups. When they fall asleep, he drives them away from the mansion and the audience sees this furry family feeling lost and confused. They realize they were betrayed and that  Madame Adelaide would never want this to happen. Thankfully, in this new unfamiliar territory, the Duchess and the kittens meet Thomas O’Malley, the charming alley cat that is willing to help them return to their home in Paris.

9 Funniest: Two Hounds Ambushed The Butler

There are supporting characters/pets who contribute to making cartoon movies a smash hit. In The Aristocats, one good example of that is the funny dog duo Napoleon and Lafayette. While they may not be ranking on the top 10’s most memorable dogs in Disney’s animated movies, this pair of heroes came to the cats’ rescue and ended up developing a lovely friendship with the four protagonists. What’s funny is that the villain Edgar is ambushed by them, losing his hat and umbrella, in a chase scene that is as hilarious as it can be. These dogs’ comical lines are present pretty much anytime they are on-screen.

8 Saddest: Madame Adelaide Discovering Her Pets Are Missing

Having a family member disappearing isn’t easy, but having four of them gone, and especially when they are the only “relatives” a person has, is tragic. Given that this was Madame Adelaide’s case, when she discovers that her pets are missing, both she and the audience are hit particularly hard. Watching an intense journey of desperation that Madame Adelaide has to go through, it’s difficult not to root for her happiness and reunion with her little loved ones.

The Aristocats may not be considered one of the best animated movies ever, but this piece should certainly be high-ranked as one of the best in the “animated-vintage” category.

7 Funniest: Amelia And Abigail’s Laugh

This animated romantic musical comedy is definitely a must-watch for any cat lovers out there. And some characters like the English geese twins Amelia and Abigail are kooky and entertaining in every scene they are in. The truth is that these two became memorable characters that stuck in fans’ minds. Who can forget these geese’ unique laughing style and sweet vibe? They share some comical exchanges as they interact with the protagonists and their laugh is their most distinctive trait. Also, their presence in the movie is uplifting and caring as well as funny and genuine.

6 Saddest: Roquefort’s Attacked By The Alley Cats

Given that Roquefort offers so much comic relief throughout this film, it’s that much sadder when this character actually gets in danger after he is caught by the “Alley Cats.” Roquefort is cute, supportive, and a great sidekick, and even though he could be a bit too nervous and dramatic at times, he followed the protagonists on a great adventure, therefore, viewers fell for him easily. One of the scariest moments is when those alley cats attack him and the poor little one actually believes that he is going to be eaten. At the last second, he is able to survive and get this gang on his side. It’s a classic: where there is a cat there is a mouse as his counterpart – usually with the latter running away from the former. Hence, the use of this expression in other contexts.

5 Funniest: The Kitten’s Voices

These animals’ cuteness is so infectious and their “acting” so true to human life that The Aristocats does, in fact, give the audience paws for delight. Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz make up the trio that stole fans’ hearts. These kittens’ adventurous spirits are distinctively voiced by child-like talented actors that make everything they sad sound 100 times funnier. Each one is unique, with a totally different personality, and each participates in moments that are either funny, inspiring, or hysterical. Every scene and line featuring them is sweet and their voices play a huge part in making it so.

4 Saddest: Edgar Finds The Cats At The Mansion Again

Once the four cats make it back home successfully, they think that it’s just a matter of time until Madame Adelaide sees them and that they’ll have their happy ending. Unfortunately, Edgar finds them before she does and ruthlessly puts them in a sack and prepares to ship them to Timbuktu. The villain gets really furious with their return and this action turns out to be one of the saddest moments of the film.

Just when viewers thought that the lovely furry family was safe, here comes the climax of this story and this dishonorable man tries to get rid of them a second time.

3 Funniest: Those Jazzy Tunes

This light, pleasant, and funny movie will always be remembered for the hit song: “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat!” No one will ever forget the funny Scat Cat, voiced by Scatman Crothers. Part of a jazz famous musical gang, this character is the alpha male of the “Alley Cats.” When the time came for everyone to sing along to this hit, the cats’ dance moves and pure joy is one of the funniest and most delightful parts of The Aristocats film. Not only is the song a smasher but it also pays an incredible homage to jazz musical style.

2 Saddest: The Alley Cats Fight With Edgar

Since this is a family-friendly cartoon comedy-drama, there are plenty of comedic parts that make up for all the sad or scary ones. Yet, in the most dramatic moment of the movie, one where the antagonist Edgar and the protagonists clash on a scary confrontation, viewers just want this butler to get what he deserves and play guilty about his despicable actions towards Madame’s precious family. This scene hit viewers right in the feels as they see Edgar not willing to give up on mistreating these animals. The “Alley Cats” and the horse Frou-Frou finally fight and beat him, while Roquefort frees Duchess and the kittens.

1 Funniest: Uncle Waldo’s Appearance

This romantic musical comedy includes a few appearances that are simply a barrel of laughs. Uncle Waldo, Amelia, and Abigail’s relative, is one of those characters. He has quite a few hysterical one-liners scattered throughout the movie when interacting with his nieces and the cat squad. Undeniably, he is the greatest source of comedy throughout The Aristocats as a goofy, charming drunk uncle who makes the audience chuckle every single time. The adventures that the adorable furry family went through on a quest to return home only gets brightened by Uncle Waldo’s great sense of humor and presence.

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