Customer Reviews

Doctor Dolittle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1967 Film)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

DOCTOR DOLITTLE was one of the most ambitious movie musicals made in the late 60's. Rex Harrison turned in a superb performance as the eccentric good doctor, with capable support from all-round entertainer Anthony Newley as well as the luminous actress Samantha Eggar.

The score, by Leslie Bricusse, is strong for the most part. Harrison performs his numbers in the speak-sing manner that he had turned into an artform during his MY FAIR LADY days, though Samantha Eggar's singing was partially-dubbed by vocal artist Diana Lee.

Anthony Newley sings the haunting "Beautiful Things"; Samantha Eggar is fetching with "At the Crossroads" (though the recording omits the spirited, angst-ridden 'If I Were a Man' that preceeds it in the movie); and Rex Harrison is wonderful with "Talk to the Animals".

Other golden moments in the score come from the thrilling "Fabulous Places" and the gentle lovesong "I Think I Like You". Anthony Newley infuses "After Today" with charm and joy to spare.

The soundtrack also includes the two songs cut from the final print of the movie ("Where are the Words?", and "Something in Your Smile"), as well as Samantha Eggar's verse in "Beautiful Things".

Highly-recommended.

I've been looking for this since I was 12 years old! I and my sister listened to Leslie Bricusse's At the Crossroads back in the early 70's. This album is soothing hilarious, and very kid-oriented. It's easy to sing along to, and "My Friend the Doctor" has as open airy broadway feeling along the lines of "Oliver" and "who will buy" Now that I have found this lost treasure I intend to share it with my son and daughter. It comes from an era devoid of sarcasm and pat answers. An era that just doesn't exist anymore. I recommend it highly.

I, like so many others, loved this movie as a kid. And I, like so many others, love this movie still. I could not locate the wonderful music from the 1967 hit anywhere, until recently, when I saw this soundtrack and bought it immediately. Amazon, once again, I salute you for having the most wonderfully obscure things that are essential to my life.

But I forget. This is about the soundtrack. My brother and I have always danced about singing "My friend the doctor says, duh duh duh duh duh duh duh", the catchy opening song that sets a trend for the rest of the songs--- Anthony Newley co-wrote the songs- Anthony Newlety has the best songs. From his cheery opening, to the haunting Beautiful Things and uplifting After Today, you cannot help but love his (fake) Irish vibrato that really makes you soar.

If you are a fan of Rex Harrison, then you will really love the sing-songy/talk of the famous Talk to the Animals. If you arent accustomed to Rex's work, go buy My Fair Lady, learn to love it, and come back and listen to this. If you dislike Rex Harrison immensely, buy this CD for the other songs, and just skip his three big ones.

Rex's Like Animals is best seen, but is also really clever when heard. His other good song is When I Look in Your Eyes, a serenade for a seal, which is considered by an older Guatemalan Psychiatrist that I know, to be the greatest love song of all time.

The reason why this really wonderful soundtrack got a four? It was close to a five, but then I listened to some of the tracks betweened the excellent ones I mentioned. Save for (now Sir) Richard Attenborough's Ive Never Seen Anything Like It, they are mediocre. There is no way of getting around. The songs were not written for females (although many enjoy the pretty At the Crossroads), and others (including the finale) are too children's movie cute.

Save for my minor gripes, the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack is really a wonderful CD, filled with immensely talented actors singing memorable songs.

Even though I'm a real sucker for 'old' movies, especially musicals, Doctor Dolittle will always be one of my favourites, which it owes in great deal to the splendid songs. It was my mother's favourite film while she was growing up, and I suppose she has passed that fire on to me! We know songs like 'My friend, the doctor' (my personal favourite!) and 'Talk to the animals' by heart, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when I finally found the soundtrack! Anthony Newley is absolutely brilliant as the co-composer and singer of some of the best songs in the film, among which are 'Beautiful People' and 'After Today'. When listening to the songs, you immediately recall the beautiful simplicity you can also find in the film. It is an atmosphere which transport us back to the fairytales of our childhood -and who wouldn't want that?!

Talk To The Animals, the haunting Something In Your Smile, and many other good songs on this CD of the 60's film. Be sure that you're buying the soundtrack - some people have complained about some terrible version where they just have other people sing the songs, and it isn't the real soundtrack. A few boring songs on the soundtrack version, but far more good than bad. This is the only movie I know of that Samantha Eggar appeared in but didn't die in.

This is an amazing movie, with such lovely, witty, and memorable music. It is from an error when there was still innocence and romance in movies, and it is a joy for me to pass this on to my son.

I saw "Doctor Dolittle" when it first came out in 1967 and have loved the songs ever since.I even owned an original copy of the
old 20th Century-Fox Records soundtrack album for years,and it's
one of my favorite 1960s scores.Like the movie itself,this is an underrated gem!Leslie Bricusse's songs are simply delightful,
and they are beautifully played by the Twentieth Century-Fox
Studio Orchestra under the masterful direction of Lionel Newman
and his staff.Although they are obviously not professional singers,Rex Harrison and Samantha Eggar do very well here,
certainly much better than Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave did in Warner Bros.' "Camelot" that same year.Anthony Newley,
Richard Attenborough,and young William Dix also do well.My
favorites are "Fabulous Places" and "Something In Your Smile".
This is a terrific CD that provides an hour of good listening
and wonderful memories of the movie.

This is a pleasant musical score. Rex Harrison employs his sing-speak style with ease and Anthony Newly contributes his enthusiastic (if slightly hammy) vocals. And unlike some musicals of this era, the movie is actually good. Not the finest musical soundtrack out there but good nonetheless.

Darkhorse86

This is amazing! Rex Harrison is amazing as Dr.Dolittle. I love this. I saw this play one time it had Tommy Tune in it . My favorite songs

Talk to the animals
I've never seen anything like it

You've got to see this play. I'ts amazing.