Product Details

• Actors: Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, Red Buttons, Paul Frees, Hermione Gingold
• Directors: Abe Levitow
• Writers: Chuck Jones, Dorothy Jones, Ralph Wright
• Producers: Henry G. Saperstein, Lee Orgel
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: August 31, 1994
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303212298
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,759 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This little gem has the pedigree of a purebred Persian: it features voices of no less than Judy Garland and Robert Goulet, the original songs of Wizard of Oz composers Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, and the writing talents of animation giant Chuck Jones. Garland gives life to our young heroine, Mewsette, a naive country kitty who runs off to seek the bright lights of Gay '90s Paris; Goulet is her devoted country bumpkin beau, Jaune-Tom, who sets off to find her (accompanied by the scrappy kitten Robespierre). While in Paris, Mewsette falls prey to the dastardly yellow-eyed Meowrice, and his compatriot, Madame Rubens-Chatte (played with hilarious swagger by Hermione Gingold), who runs a cathouse of ill repute off the Champs Élysées. The story is slim, itself a bit of an homage to Oz: country girl longs to spread her wings, leaves home, and has many adventures, only to discover that there's no place like home. But the stylized look of the film is breathtaking--the French countryside looks like miles and miles of Vincent Van Gogh's sensual Arles--and Garland and Goulet are in fine voice. If you love surreal animation, Judy Garland, cats, or Paris--or any combination thereof--this film will have you purring. --Anne Hurley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GAY PURR-EE WILL HAVE YOU PURRING WITH DELIGHT!, August 20, 2000

By 

Sean Orlosky (Yorktown, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Purr-ee [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Gay Purr-ee" is a very charming film that is sure to delight the whole family. It is cleverly and artfully presented, with Chuck Jones' trademark Looney Tunes-esque animation, and a sweet little story, which, though rather slim, holds the viewer's interest for every single one of its eighty-six minutes. It also showcases some of the best vocal talent in town: Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, Red Buttons, Paul Frees, and Hermione Gingold. The story is simple: French country farm cat Mewsette (Garland, using clever vocals) is bored with her dull and listless existence, and leaves her home, her ardent suitor Jaune-Tom (Goulet, also in excellent voice), and friend Robespierre (Buttons, whose squeaky characterizations are pefect for his diminutive character). Once in Paris, the naive Mewsette meets up with cunning Meowrice (Frees, perfectly diabolic) and Madame Rubens-Chatte (Gingold, also with interesting vocals), who plan to make a little money by making Mewsette into a courtesan, then selling her off to a fat old tabby cat in Pittsburgh who wants a wife. But Jaune-Tom and Robespierre are hot on their tails... The movie is also blessed with a splendid songbook by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen, who gave you the score of "The Wizard of Oz". Children will enjoy the film's story and characters, and adults will certainly be amused by familiar voices and the film's light sophistication. No doubt about it: "Gay Purr-ee" is one to see and take pleasure in, for it is abundant in this charming animated classic.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must for Garland fans, January 31, 2004

By 

AGL (Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Purr-Ee (DVD)

If you've seen every Judy movie but have shied away from this one because Judy doesn't even appear onscreen in it..well you're in for a sueprise!
Judy as Mewsette is so enchanting, so hysterically funny, so French and so feline! There are sad moments, happy moments..but trust me this is an exceptional effort (especially if you love gorgeou animation) and one worth having in your collection.

Here's my original rave review...

Gay Purr-ee is meowriffic!!!!

I love it!!! The animation is gorgeous, striking and technically brilliant, Walt Disney eat your heart out. I particularly love the visuals with the different artists of the 'gay 90's' in France...Cezanne, Toulouse Lautrec, Seurat, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, etc. Very 'American in Paris', feline style.

Judy's voice is purrfect. As Mewsette, she's very French, very provincial with a touch of Parisian breathlessness, when she sings it's achingly beautiful.

Janune Tom is a honey. And the Money cat is the villain..the scene where the villain is mean is classic. Judy really put on the hysterics.

Funny bits..when she tries to walk with a bowl of milk on her head. And fails. Touches of Gigi.
the buggy ride. 'What's kissing?' 'erm, it's like touching noses' how true.
Chanpagne, Champignons and Champs Elysees. Bad American French. What'll you'll have? Milk? No make it Cream! How about...bubbles? And the cats actually get drunk.

Am I the only one who appreciates this film???

Put Gay Purree up there with Wizard of Oz on the shelf. You won't be disappointed.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ecstatic visual and aural delight!, November 11, 2000

By 

P. Head "gadget gal" (Baraboo, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gay Purr-ee [VHS] (VHS Tape)

While children may appreciate the relatively simple storyline, (boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl), it is the sentimental and romantic adult who will get the most visual enjoyment from this astounding piece of eye candy, as well as the pure pleasure of Miss Garland at her most vulnerable but triumphant best. The background and animation are an incredible combination of French Impressionist art and charming 60s kitsch. A fantastic antidote for today's violent "superhero" cartoons. Have a family snuggle in front of the tube and prepare to be enchanted.