A Classic Love Story Through The Lens of A Pup!

Alright, here we go again. Halfway through the last of Walt’s Original Animations and I’m giddier than ever to get through them. I’m a sucker for a love story and Lady and the Tramp is one of those movies that you can’t help but have fond memories about. From the evil Siamese cats to the loveable meatball scene, this is a movie I have more feelings than memories about. The art of this movie has made a lasting impression on my heart, and I can’t wait to rediscover what Lady and the Tramp have to offer us in 2023.

Another disclaimer has graced us, but that was expected given the number of cultures they stereotype throughout the movie. The opening song always tugs at my heartstrings, and it falls on the short list of opening movie choirs I enjoy.

This is the night, what a beautiful night. And we call it Bella Note.

The opening note of the movie really made me smile and once again sigh with a longing for simpler times. One where not everything was always about money. Ironic, seeing the current state of the House of Mouse, but I digress.

Lady as a puppy kills me. Trying to get her to stay in bed is so comical and accurate. The wines of loneliness on the first night. The mischief of sneaking out and exploring where they’re not supposed to be. Six months pass and Lady ends up getting her very first collar and license. The neighborhood she’s raised in is clearly wealthy and safe enough to walk through the iron fences and greet the other older dogs in the neighborhood. For now, everything is nice and peaceful.

Meanwhile, sleeping in a barrel on the other side of the tracks is Tramp. It’s a stark contrast to the lifestyle that Lady leads, but he still seems content to start his day. He grabs some breakfast, frees some friends from the dog catcher, and has a pretty good morning overall. Well, except for learning about that new ordinance about unlicensed dogs being taken to the pound.

When Tramp and Lady meet, it’s over a conversation about human babies and their threat to a dog’s place in a home. His affectionate nickname Pigeon, later on shortened to Pidge, is not met well by Lady’s best friends and they become defensive of her. The conversation between the four dogs present gives a unique life to each chosen breed. The characters shine through more than the humans and is the obvious groundwork for other movies we love now like Oliver & Company, The Aristocats, Bolt, and Illumination’s Secret Life of Pets franchise.

I’m not gonna lie, watching them prep for this baby back in 1955 really made me feel like I was Lady. Everything from finding out the sexual orientation to the baby bottles is different and basically foreign in present day. I mean the baby bottles looked like science beakers and the cloth pampers were hanging out on the line to dry.

Eventually Jim Dear and Darling leave for a few days and horrible Aunt Sarah comes to watch the baby and brings her twin cats who manage to tear up the house within about 5 seconds of being there. Despite Lady’s efforts, she’s unable to stop the destruction and is blamed for the mess by crabby Aunt Sarah.

The thing that I forgot about Lady and Tramp’s love is that Lady ran away frightened of Aunt Sarah, and Tramp came in to save her from being a stray dog chow. He could’ve left her to die and go about his day. But being the mutt with a heart full of gold, he helps her out and doesn’t hesitate to take her back home. Mind you, this happens when we’re already halfway through the movie.

After conning a bever out of getting the muzzle off Lady, they stop by Tony’s for the infamous meatball scene. I love how Tony gives away how much of a player Tramp is, but Lady is too innocent to catch on. Tramp has the best wingmen in the city, and they serenade the couple before the two go for a romantic walk in the park. They stay out all night and wake up together to see the sunrise. Lady is more concerned about going home than being a stray like Tramp, but Tramp tries one last time to convince her to stay with him. On the way home, he convinces her to chase chickens for fun and they almost get shot. As they make their grand escape, Lady gets snatched up by the dog catcher and sent to the pound.

The sad dog choir is both comical and depressing. The truth about the pound is evident in this movie and they do their best to make light of it. Poor lady gotta learn about Tramp and the truth about his character through song before she gets picked up and sent home. Her best friends try to propose marriage so she can be free of the doghouse, but not before ol’ Trampy Boy stops by with a bone for a present. He redeems himself but getting the rat out of the baby’s room and is rewarded by being sent to the pound. Thank goodness that Lady’s parents finally come home and Lady is able to show them the truth. Her best friends rush to rescue Tramp and I love how Trusty manages to get his smell back just in time to find them. Talk about dramatics.

The movie ends on a high note at Christmas time with Lady and Tramp's puppies causing a ruckus around the baby and everyone having a jolly good time. Poor Trusty finally found someone to tell his story about Ol’ Reliable but forgot what it was he used to say. They even manage to set up the possibility of a sequel with Scamp constantly getting into mischief. What can I say, this is a love letter to dogs and people who love dogs. It touches on the hilarities of life while keeping it through the lens of the pup. If you have somehow missed out on this movie, I’d suggest giving it a shot. It’s a timeless piece that would make even a cat lover swoon. Truly, a classic.

About the Author

Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who specializes in writing dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. She is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in both New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. She has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. Follow her on IG or Pinterest to know the latest.