It seems strange to call a Disney film cool. In the case of “Snow White,” “Bambi,” “Dumbo” or “Pinocchio,” terms like classic, beautiful, touching and works of art are easily expressed. But the coolest? Not so much. And yet, when watching this newly released DVD of 1961's “101 Dalmatians” and the magnificent scene chewing creation of demented diva Cruella De Vil (voiced by Betty Lou Gerson), cool is almost an understatement.

Supposedly based on that high falutin', deep voiced goddess of naughty behavour, Tallulah Bankhead, the scary, two-toned bad girl, fashion plate remains one of Disney’s most inspired villains.  An early version of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, diva supermodel Naomi Campbell and Joanna Lumley's Patsy from “Absolutely Fabulous,” she’s a slinking, self obsessed good time – a hip work of fashion satire years before “Zoolander” debuted its Derelict campaign (inspired by the homeless) and PETA coaxed celebrities to go naked before wearing fur. So cool, in fact, eternally hip band The Replacements covered her theme song, “Cruella De Vil.” You think Snow White would get such an honor?

Not that we’re rooting mean Cruella and her bloodthirsty desire for the perfect spotted pelt (well, maybe a little), but next to the squaresville, very properly British characters of Roger and Anita, she’s a breath of toxic air.  Of course, not for her victims.

Those potential poor pups are Pongo (Rod Taylor) and Perdita (Cate Bauer), the lovely Dalmatian dogs to owners Roger and Anita, a loving doggie couple who produce 15 adorable spotted puppies. The arrival causes quite a stir and much happiness, most rabidly for Anita’s old friend, Cruella De Vil (why Anita would have ever been friends with Cruella is kind of hilarious – like a Christian youth group leader hanging with Sharon Stone). When the pups begin to disappear, Pongo and Perdita enlist the help of a charming underground dog network to save not only their own children, but the 99 Dalmatians evil Cruella has nabbed from all over London. The results are quite exciting and, in the end, touching, even for those us who’d like to see more…Cruella.

Thankfully we can, with this nicely put together Two Disc Platinum Edition with supplements geared toward adults and children. Disc One includes extra subtitle trivia tracks, pop up trivia, trailers and a music video for the song “Cruella De Vil” by pop tart Selena Gomez – something I could have lived without, but you know…kids these days. 

The second disc is decidedly meatier with bonus features galore including games for children, a DVD Rom to build your own Dalmatian and some featurettes that range from so-so to interesting.  "Music & More" features six musical numbers from the genesis of the production, three deleted songs and three alternate versions of songs from the picture ("Dalmatian Plantation," "Cruella de Vil" and "Kanine Krunchies" jingle). "Backstage Disney," includes the documentaries "Redefining the Line: The Making of The One Hundred and One Dalmatians," a behind the scenes look at origins and influence of the picture featuring interviews with (among others) animators, historians, and voice actor Lisa Davis.  "Cruella De Vil: Drawn to be Bad" focuses on the great Cruella, “Sincerely Yours, Walt Disney" discusses the relation of Walt Disney and the “101 Dalmatians” author Dodie Smith. Other extras include trailers, TV and radio commercials and galleries. 

My biggest quibble is the short running time for the Cruella doc (only seven minutes!) but then, a little Cruella does go a long, long way. This is a limited issue, so get it while it’s, as every fur clad fashion editor would say, hot.

*Other notable DVD releases include Sean Penn's acclaimed "Into the Wild," Sidney Lumet's classic "12 Angry Men" (50th Anniversary Edition), The Billy Wilder Gift Set ("The Apartment," "Some Like it Hot," "The Fortune Cookie" and "Kiss Me Stupid"), the fun soccer picture "Eleven Men Out" and the fantastic pre-code "Forbidden Hollywood Collection Vol. 2" which presents "The Divorcee," "A Free Soul," "Night Nurse," "Three on a Match" and "Female." Also included -- a fantastic documentary discussing these saucy, sensational pictures with some fine thoughts from among others, Camille Paglia, Molly Haskell and John Landis.  

Search to purchase the above DVD's here.

--posted by Kim