Episode 376 – Cats Don’t Dance (1997)

About this episode

The episode discusses the animated film 'Cats Don’t Dance' and explores its themes and characters.

Cats. What do we know about them? We know that naming them is a difficult matter. We know that they are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose. We know that T.S. Eliot was fond of them and Andrew Lloyd Weber found a way to turn that fondness into obsession (and the movie turned them into a nightmare). We know that a cat is an angel that poops in a box. But now, thanks to this week’s entry in our series “Cuz I Wanna (and You’re Gonna Like It)”, we know that they don’t dance. Ever. . . or do they? Spoiler alert: in this film they do, in a manner suspiciously reminiscent of Gene Kelly. Yes, enjoy the wacky hi-jinks as the cats Danny and Sawyer hoof (or claw) their way into your hearts. We learn that elephants can play the piano and penguins can tap-dance (without being voiced by Elijah Wood, even!). Is this lesser-known, somewhat . . . less than successful Warner Brothers animated movie a hidden gem? An unsung classic? A dull surprise? Give a listen and *hack* *hork* *hack* . . . sorry, hairball . . . and find out! Poll question: who is your favorite cartoon animal?

People in this episode

Hosts: Max, Mike

Topics covered

• animated movies
• cats
• musical films
• hidden gems
• Warner Brothers

Keywords

• Cats Don’t Dance
• animated film
• musical
• cats
• hidden gem

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Warner Brothers

Books & works: Cats Don’t Dance, Cats

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• Episode 381 – Sneakers (1992) · May 4, 2026 · 59 min
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