doctor dolittle

With a visual palette that predates the colorfully cluttered imaginations of Terry Gilliam and Wes Anderson, Doctor Dolittle (1967) should probably be referenced more often as an influential piece of fantasy filmmaking. Only there are so many dull moments in this otherwise picturesque family adventure that it doesn't linger long in temporal lobe. After taking home Oscars for original song and special effects, director Richard Fleischer's overloaded musical quickly drifted out of a pop culture more interested in mature films like The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde. Now released on a limited edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time, the flaws are still there...but so is much of its forgotten charm.

Fed up with being a "people" doctor, John Dolittle narrows his practice to the study of the veterinary arts after getting quick lesson in animal grammar from his pet parrot. A short stint in a traveling circus provides an infusion of cash necessary for his next project: the pursuit of the mythical giant pink sea snail. His skills, however, aren't much appreciated by the local populace, who eventually throw him in an asylum for claiming to be able to communicate with his new patients.

After escaping with the help of his faithful assistants - and an argumentative love interest - Dolittle circles the globe in search of his legendary gastropod, a journey which takes him to Starfish Island, a floating oasis inhabited by natives who've adapted to their wandering lifestyle. But even here, his special gifts land him in hot water once again, threatening not just his scientific quest...but his own neck, as well!

Working off the novels by Hugh Lofting, producer Arthur P. Jacobs goes for broke with a songbook that stuffs in a new ditty every 10-minutes or so. Star Rex Harrison's "singing" is really nothing more than an agreeable speaking style (sort of like Lou Reed, but more in tune) that suits his stuffy, easily distracted character. Co-star Anthony Newley carries most of the load, rattling off a large repertoire of quirky, playful and romantic songs written by Leslie Bricusse. But it's actually Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park) who makes the most of his limited screen time as a surly circus owner singing "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" with a vivacity we've never seen from the actor before either!

The songs aren't the problem; there are just so darn many of them. Director Richard Fleischer, who delivers scene after sumptuous-looking scene, allows the fun to go on far, far too long (how kids ever withstood the 2.5 hour running time, I can't imagine). By the time Dolittle arrives at Starfish Island - where he's met by future 7-Up spokesman Geoffrey Holder in an early role - things should be reaching a peak. But the movie just seems to go limp, running out of energy well before the finish line, making the long anticipated appearance of the pink sea snail ironically appropriate.

Twilight Time's 3000-copy limited edition is home theater demo material through and through. I'd be hard pressed to name a catalog title that looks any better. Extras include an isolated music track, audio commentary with Leslie Bricusse and film music historian Mike Metessino, Rex Harrison: The Man Who Would Be King featurette, original theatrical trailer and liner notes by Julie Kirgo.