Doctor Dolittle

1967
U
2h 32m

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

11K

YOUR RATING

Trailer for this enchanting film about a man who talks to animals

Play trailer1:38

1 Video

99+ Photos

Animal Adventure Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy Musical Romance

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.

Director
- Richard Fleischer
Writers
- Hugh Lofting
- Leslie Bricusse
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

11K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Richard Fleischer
Writers
- Hugh Lofting
- Leslie Bricusse
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 2 Oscars
- 6 wins & 15 nominations total

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
- Richard Fleischer
Writers
- Hugh Lofting
- Leslie Bricusse
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

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."

Goofs
When 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 versions
In 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.

Connections
Featured in Film Review: Richard Attenborough (1968)

Soundtracks
Overture
Written by Leslie Bricusse
Performed by 20th Century Fox Studio Orchestra, conducted by Lionel Newman

User reviews71

Review

Featured review

6/10

Not as bad as its reputation.

Cheery, fun musical from Fox. Dr. Dolittle has the ability to talk to animals, and takes Emma (Samantha Eggar) and Matthew (Anthony Newley) with him to find the mythical giant pink sea snail.

The songs are forgettable, but the cinematography, costumes and set design are good, and Rex Harrison is much less hammier than he was in My Fair Lady. The main problem with the film is Anthony Newley, who has one of the worst Irish accents afflicted upon the movie going public. Richard Attenborough has a nice cameo as a circus owner, and gets to sing the film's catchiest song. 3/5