Oliver & Company Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
The first Disney movie with attitude.
Inspired by Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist". A homeless kitten named Oliver, roams the streets of New York, where he is taken in by a gang of homeless mutts who survive by stealing from others. During one of these criminal acts, Oliver meets a wealthy young girl named Jenny Foxworth. This meeting will forever change his life.
| Joseph Lawrence | Oliver |
| Billy Joel | Dodger |
| Cheech Marin | Tito |
| Richard Mulligan | Einstein |
| Roscoe Lee Browne | Francis |
| Sheryl Lee Ralph | Rita |
| Dom DeLuise | Fagin |
| Taurean Blacque | Roscoe |
| Carl Weintraub | Desoto |
| Robert Loggia | Sykes |
| Natalie Gregory | Jenny |
| William Glover | Winston |
| Bette Midler | Georgette |
| Frank Welker | Louie the Hot Dog Man, Additional Voice |
| George Scribner |
6.30 out of 10 (4184 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A Cute Disney Film
posted on 01 Jun 2009*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*"Oliver & Company" is a cute Disney film. I remember seeing it when it was re-released to theaters in 1996 when I was 9 years old. I loved it and fell in love with Oliver, he was an adorable kitten. I also loved the songs in this movie. My favorite part of the movie is when Jenny sings "You and Me Together" to Oliver. That part of the movie is so cute. I also liked the part when all the dogs are singing in the city. That part is very creative.I suggest that all Disney fans should see this movie, cause you'll love it.
I give this movie 10/10 stars.
Written by my 5 year old daughter
posted on 25 Feb 2009My favourite part is when Oliver & Jenny sing You & Me Together.One day in New York City a little kitten got lost. All his brothers and sisters were sold and he was left alone. He wandered about in the city and he saw some paws, it was Dodger the dog. He showed some more of the city to him and then he showed him his
friends. Dodger and his friends taught the kitten how to steal money and the kitten got stuck in the car and a girl called Jenny picked the kitten up and held him all the way back home and called him Oliver. Dodger and his friends rescued Oliver and took him back to the place where Dodger showed him his friends. They sent a ransom note to Jenny and she brought her piggy bank and then Fagin kidnapped Jenny. Dodger and his friends and Oliver rescued Jenny and Oliver went to live with Jenny. Written by Bethany.
A fun "twist" on the classic Oliver story
posted on 24 Nov 2008I know it sounds weird because this movie was made when I was a child, you'd think I would've seen it at an earlier age. But I never did and my friend had the movie, I was curious and wondering why I never had the chance to see it. But I'm glad that I just got to see this movie, it was so much fun and I just missed the old time animation. It had great music by the awesome Billy Joel and the animals were just so adorable.Basically, Oliver is an orphan kitten the big city of New York and meets a smooth street smart dog, Dodger. When Oliver follows Dodger to his layer of other dogs who are led by a homeless man, Fagin, they decide to keep Oliver. But when Oliver is learning the street smarts, a little girl sees him and takes him home where he gets a nice loving place to stay, not to mention extremely wealthy. But the guys want him back and kidnap him to pay back the mean Mr. Sykes.I thought this was a great introduction of Charles Dicken's immortal classic for the kids. Not to mention that it was clever and witty, the music is memorable and there are some very funny moments that both kids and adults could get a kick out of. Believe me, this movie is good fun, but I'm still trying to find out why I didn't see it sooner.8/10
A Really Lovable And Underrated Walt Disney Movie
posted on 27 Jul 2008I absolutely LOVED Oliver & Company to death.It was just so adorable, and it was also COMPLETELY entertaining to watch.It was also VERY funny, which I actually found surprising, seeing as how some animations aren't funny at all, and the songs were also amusing and fresh.I had a really great time watching Oliver & Company, and even though it isn't no Lion King, Toy Story, or animation classic like most, it deserves the same respect as they get, doesn't it?I mean, a 6.3?HIGHLY unfair in my opinion, and I hope a lot more people watch this, so it's greatness can be spread around.This was a really fun movie, and I recommend you see it if you haven't.
Fantastic underrated Disney movie.
posted on 20 Jan 2008In New York City 1988, an adorable kitten named Oliver ( voiced by Joey Lawrence) is abandoned after he wasn't sold as he wonders into the seedy streets of New York. The next day he befriends a lovable mongrel named Dodger ( voiced by Billy Joel) and takes him into his gang ( voiced by Cheech Marin, Ruth Pointer, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Brown) run by the kind hearted bum Fagin ( Dom Deluise) who trains his dogs to pickpocket people so he can pay off the mobster Mr. Sykes ( voiced by Robert Loggia). But as Oliver is helping out stealing, a rich girl named Jenny finds her and decides to keep him making him more loved but unfortunately the bratty poodle Georgette ( Bette Midler) is getting kind of jealous and life for Oliver is now becoming an adventure especially as he must save his new owner from Sykes.Highly underrated and very entertaining animated musical comedy from Disney that was a minor hit in 1988 after the last two Disney movies "Great Mouse Detective" and "Black Cauldron" didn't do so good at the box-office. I remembered when i was 6 back in 1988 when it originally came out in the winter of that year, i saw it twice in theaters even after Christmas and i had some of the merchandise like pajamas, a Oliver plastic toy from Sears, coloring books, a cassette with read-along book, Mcdonald's Finger Puppets and Mcdonald's singing ornaments. I was disappointed that it never came on video but my mom & dad and i never forgotten about it. Back when i was 13, when i was reading an article on Disney Channel magazine saying that it was coming back in theaters i was excited and when i saw it again in theaters back in 1996 i fell in love with the movie again like i did as a kid and became one of my favorite animated movies, it was also the year that it was about time it came on video but now i replaced that with the special edition DVD.The movie has some good animation and some cool hip songs by Billy Joel, Bette Midler and Huey Lewis and the movie takes people back to the wonderful 80's which was the most fun anyone can grow up back then like me, with the minor success of this movie it was really the one that started the golden age of Disney animation, i recommend this movie to both kids and adults alike.
This was such a great movie!! I just saw it...
posted on 15 Dec 2007This was such a great movie!! I just saw it for the first time a little over a week ago and just loved it. I especially loved Oliver because he is so cute, and he reminds me of Simba, my favorite Lion King character. I also loved Tito. One of my favorite parts of this movie is the songs. I like Once Upon a Time in New York City, and Good Company, best. I am planning to learn them on the piano. The opening scene, where Once Upon a Time in New York City plays, makes me cry on the inside. The scene where Jenny sings Good Company is adorable! I am planning to watch every Disney classic possible. I have seen quite a few and loved them all!
who couldnt love this
posted on 06 Dec 2007This movie is great from the tear-jerking beginning to the spunky heartfelt end !!!! Its a great comedy the whole family will love over and over again!!! my favorite thing about it though is the songs including my personal favorite "perfect isn't easy" that Georgette (Bette Midler) sings. This movie is great fun you have to watch at least twice!this cute kitten Oliver was the outcast of a litter of kittens left on the street with a huge free sign. after no one chooses the little one, he goes off on his own running into a clever mutt named Dogger who con's Oliver into helping him get some hot dogs, then Dogger deserts Oliver not leaving him a single scrap! so angry Oliver follows the new "friend" to his home to find a deserted houseboat, a master with debt to a maniac, and a pack of dogs who live the hard life. the new family takes him under their battered wing but in a plot to save their master Oliver is picked up by a lonely little rich girl named Jenny, who has a butler and a stuck up prize winning poodle Georgette (played by my favorite star Bette Midler) to keep her company. his old family still loves him and think he's in danger and immediately bring him back to their humble home Oliver wants to be with jenny but still likes the street life! will Oliver chose the first family with only love to give or the warm hearted jenny and her warm cushy life and what about the maniac mobster who's about to kill the poor burdened master of Dogger and the gang. Who knows check it out!!~sonnie
The Grittiest animated Disney movie yet?
posted on 19 Sep 2007In this late 80s/early 90s animated Disney super animal adaptation of the Oliver Twist story, Oliver (Joey Lawrence) is a kitten in need of hearth, home, family and friends. Although he is initially mocked and patronized by the jaunty dog known as Dodger (Billy Joel), he is later accepted into Dodger's ring of lovable scoundrel thief dogs, who include the typical New Yorker dogs, a Hispanic dog, an older dog, and a Shakespearean dog. Just as Oliver is about to learn the way of the pick pocket, he is snatched up by an adorable little rich girl named Jenny and she adopts him as her playmate pet while her parents are away and the only one watching her is her butler. Jenny's resident dog, Georgette, a well bred prize winner, doesn't take well to the little stray cat being in her home. Then Fagan, Dodger's master, who was already in deep trouble with the local gang lord, gets into even worse trouble and it's up to Oliver & Company to save him in what has to be one of the most intense and violent climaxes ever featured in a children's film.Animation is very much of its time, and so is the music. That doesn't mean you won't like it, because personally I thought this film was quite a mild riot. If you happen upon it, give it a look.
Very Underrated Disney film
posted on 06 Jul 2007Oliver and Company isn't as bad as people say it is. Like The Great Mouse Detective it is underrated because of the bad reputation of The Black Cauldron before it which was terrible and because The Little Mermaid which followed it was amazing. It has its good points and bad points but is more good than bad.Good Points: Oliver is a strong main character you can feel sorry for and unlike some other cartoon characters he is cute but not annoying.Dodger was very well done with the perfect voice actor and Tito was funny just like he was meant to be.Georgette was really funny and her song was nice.Sykes is probably one of the most realistic Disney villains and was intimidating.The songs "Why Should I Worry", "Streets of Gold" and "Once Upon a Time in New York City" were well integrated into the film.The cgi vehicles looked very good considering this film came out in 1988.Also the final chase scene in the subway is well executed. Finally the film is fast paced and not too long at just 74 minutes.Bad points: The backgrounds of New York aren't painted very well at a few points which contrasts the cgi cars and lorries.Jenny's song was boring.Overall while not Disney's best it is one of their better films from the period Between The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid, should be given a chance. Very Entertaining.
Cute, adorable kitten. Bad film
posted on 27 Jun 2007I was left disappointed after watching this film in the cinema when I was nine/ten years of age. I had bugged my parents to see it, as I loved anything that had to do with cats. The cartoon Oliver the kitten looked adorable, orange, with soft, large eyes. The hero could not have been cuter. The sidekick dog Dodger could not have looked more cooler. Even the little girl shared my name, so he film could not appear anymore better to me until I actually saw it. The film was dull and unengaging. The story seemed pointless. Some of the characters were just too annoying, and as a nine or ten-year-old, I was actually bored. I think my mother even resented taking us to watch the film because she was bored too. This was one of the first times that I actually felt disappointed in my childhood. Cute, adorable kitten. Bad film.
Why such a low rating like 6.3? This movie is a masterpiece!!!
posted on 23 Mar 2007I remember when I was young I watched this movie over and over again. I still have the VHS of it and I plan on grabbing it and sticking it in my VCR and watching it. The music, the characters, the city life and basically the great action and marks of love, friendship and family are there! And the great use of CGI animation on almost every vehicle in the metropolitan city. The city is faithful and the song talking about it shows you the ways of new york city and sends its message to oliver, the little orange cat and who is the main character of this wonderful movie.What i don't get is why does the film receive an almost mediocre rating? What is wrong with the film to get such a score like that? I see nothing at all wrong with it. It is another Disney movie with something new to keep you watching and the new things i've seen are CGI and really cool music that really suits the late 80's new york. Come on, now! 10/10 and that's truth. i'd hope to see a Disney movie i like to exceed the godfather on the top 250 list. Lets say The Lion King.
My brief review of the film
posted on 27 Oct 2006Loosely based on 'Oliver Twist', some of the elements are cleverly adapted, but overall it is a bit of a bumpy ride with the rock music soundtrack jarring at times. Although the story is a bit slow to getting work, the film nevertheless seems to find its place after the first half hour. The second half of the film has a number of amusing moments and the songs improve in appropriateness towards the end. The animation is not at all exciting throughout, and it this factor more than anything else that has caused the film to gain a bad reputation. With a degree of silliness, since the film is aimed a children's level, it is not really a great film, and it certainly does not rank among Disney's best animated works. However, I would be inclined to label it as a good film. While some of the changes to the original Dickens story are painful, others are very amusing, and ultimately the film does the job providing adequate entertainment for a little over an hour.
This movie is great
posted on 07 Aug 2006i first saw this movie when i was really little (i'm currently 18) but then i haven't seen again until i was about 11 or twelve, and i absolutely loved it. I liked the story, all the characters, and all the songs really impressed me. I liked this movie so much that i even had a cat that i named Oliver, even though my cat looked nothing like the Oliver in the movie, i liked it so much that i still named my cat that.anyways, this movie is about an orphan cat who gets caught up with a group of dogs, than gets adopted by a little rich girl in new york city, and finds himself getting mixed up in adventures involving both the dogs and the little rich girl. i don't want to say to much and give the whole thing away, but it's a great movie for both children AND adults alike.
The Story of Oliver With A Disney Twist!
posted on 04 Aug 2006[CONTAINS SPOILERS] Our story begins in New York City where a bunch of kittens are being sold at a street corner. Soon there was only one left which nobody wanted named Oliver. He soon found himself alone in the big city until the next day when he met a street-wise mutt named Dodger. He talks Oliver into helping him get food so with his help, he steals sausage links from a hot dog vendor but when it was over, Dodger took off with the links and refused to share with Oliver so he had to chase Dodger all over town and finally followed him to his house boat. Dodger lived with four other dogs: thespian Francis, dim-witted Einstein, ravishing Rita and feisty chihuahua Tito. Suddenly, Oliver just happened to drop in! Then in came their bumbling master, Fagin. He was nervous because any minute the man whom he owed alot of money too, a greedy businessman named Sykes, would be there any minute and he soon arrived in his black Catillac. Sykes' Dobermans, Roscoe and DeSoto came in to terrorize Fagin's dogs while Fagin tried to reason with Sykes. Fagin didn't have the money so Sykes gave him just three more days. Meanwhile inside, DeSoto went after Oliver who bravely scratched him across the nose. Soon the bad guys leave and Oliver has won the respect of Dodger, Rita, Francis, Einstein and Tito. The next day, Fagin and the dogs go into town. Fagin has taught his dogs to steal so he sends them off to find him things to pawn. Oliver went with them. They see a shiny limousine and decide to try that. Inside the limo was little girl Jennifer and her butler Winston. Francis and Einstein got the limo to stop while Tito and Oliver enter. Tito tried to steal the radio but Oliver accidentally interfered causing Tito to be barbecued. Jennifer found Oliver and took him home with her. Dodger and Tito follow then rejoin the gang and make a plan to rescue him the next day. At Oliver's new home, a mansion, he seemed perfectly welcomed. Unfortunately, he soon met Jennifer's classy French Poodle, Georgette, who took an immediate dislike to Oliver. The next day while Jennifer goes to school, Dodger and the gang enter the house and take Oliver back with them. It seemed Oliver was happy at his new home leaving Dodger feeling insulted. Fagin arrived then and noticed Oliver's new collar and got an idea: he would ransom Oliver and pay off Sykes. He tried to tell Sykes the idea and he gave him just 12 hours. His last chance. Jennifer found the ransom note as well as the badly drawn map to find Fagin. She soon found him on the docks and had brought the ransom money in a piggy bank. Suddenly, Sykes drove up and captured Jennifer. So Dodger, Oliver and the gang enter Sykes' warehouse and rescue her but soon they're cornered by Roscoe and DeSoto. Fagin to the rescue, he burst in on his motorized cart. They all get in and drive off with Sykes right behind them in his Catillac. The chase leads them into the subway tunnel. Roscoe and DeSoto hop onto the cart but fall off and onto the electrified tracks, rendering them deep-fried. Suddenly they end up in a bridge over the river. A train was coming. Luckily Fagin and the gang steer off the tracks just in time to see the train destroy Sykes. So, after the gang helps celebrate Jennifer's birthday, they go back with Fagin but Oliver chooses to stay but they'll always be friends no matter what. This was a good Disney feature. One of their best! It's based on the Charles Dickens story Oliver Twist. Voices: Billy Joel is Dodger, Cheech Marin is Tito, Dom DeLuise is Fagin, Robert Loggia is Sykes, Joey Lawrence is Oliver and Bette Midler is Georgette. If the lord's willing, Oliver & Company II is not that far away. Knowing Disney! But the original is enough, I think. Look for appearances by Pongo from 101 Dalmatians and Jock from Lady and the Tramp! So for all you Disney fans, I recommend Oliver & Company! Great characters and Sykes was an interesting bad guy! You should check it out soon, right? As Dodger would say, "absitively posolutely!"-
My family likes it almost as much as I do
posted on 06 Aug 2005We actually saw this film on the big screen as a family. Our children enjoyed it - I think because I enjoyed it so much. (We own two copies of the VHS). I liked it a lot then and still like it - One of my top ten movies. That my wife and I have seen Billy Joel in Concert in Philly had a lot to do with it. Also, we lived on the East Coast for five years and could identify with the characters. The music is corny enough to be "cool." I read somewhere the quote attributed to Cheech Marin something to the effect that "now I can take my kids to one of my movies." Dom Delouise is a great character voice (and a fine actor, of course). The casting of Bette Midler as the show dog Poodle was a stroke of genius. The gang of canines each have their own lovable personality - contrasted to the "bad" Dobermans who do the bidding of the evil Sykes. Who can resist the story of an orphan being rescued by a rich kid whose world-traveling parents make her a defacto orphan. The "refined" butler shows his crude side and befriends the ruffian Fagin. It's a fun family movie - just over an hour. It can take a downer kind of day and brighten it beyond compare.
Friendly enough, but a long way from Disney & Co. at their peak...
posted on 13 Jul 2005Animated take on "Oliver Twist" from the Disney Studios, marked by an impressive list of star-voices in the cast but hurt overall by fairly colorless songs and unmemorable characters. These adventures of an orphaned kitten and a streetwise dog are not particularly witty--and the cuteness quickly becomes wearing--but very young children should enjoy it (older kids and adults may start squirming after thirty minutes or so). Relies heavily on the panache of the celebrity performers (including Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Robert Loggia, Richard Mulligan and Cheech Marin) to give the scenario some energy, but the vocal hamming is occasionally irritating. The musical numbers, while nothing marvelous, are at least upbeat, and the finale is good, but this is a long way from even "The Rescuers". ** from ****
A truly touching and hilarious adaptation of Oliver Twist
posted on 29 May 2005We've seen a musical version of Oliver, even an animated series, but an animated musical with a cast of dogs and kitten called Oliver set in New York, you'd think it would be a disaster. But, thanks to Disney magic, this film is a classic filled with songs that are never forgotten as well as that wonderful combination of comedy and family drama.When a homeless kitten comes across a street-wise dog with a gift for song and stealing hot dogs, little Oliver finds himself the member of an exclusive gang of thieving dogs. But before he even executes his first crime, he is discovered by a lonely little girl in need of a friend. Chaos soon ensues as Jenny and Oliver get caught up in a kidnapping by the classic evil villain.It's a fun filled romp to be enjoyed by one and all over and over again.
Purr-fect - An under-rated furry classic
posted on 14 May 2005Oliver & Co is a story of loyalty and love. The characters are cute, funny, brave and resourceful. The songs stick in your head especially those by Dodger, Georgette & Rita. It takes the basic elements from Dickens' novel and transforms them into an original, fun filled, animated adventure. The voice talent includes Billy Joel, Dom Deluise & Bette Midler who really bring their characters to life. Oliver joins Figaro, Marie, Toulouse & Berlioz in being one of the most lovable kittens in film history. No animal lover should be without it. 10/10
Once upon a time in New York city...
posted on 12 Mar 2005The 27th animated Disney classic is absolutely underrated and one of the least favorite Disney classics by many people. Sure, it isn't Disney at its best and I can see why many people don't like this. I personally don't think it is that bad."Oliver & Company" was a success at the theaters when it came out in 1988, but critically it was almost a disaster."Oliver & Company" has got to be one of the most simplistic Disney classics when it comes to artwork, quality and attention to detail, designs and characters. The sceneries and backgrounds are quite poor in quality and attention to detail, comparing to many Disney classics which achieve perfection."Oliver & Company" takes place in 1988 (the year when it came out) and it has the atmosphere of the 80's, which is mostly notorious on the music."Once Upon a Time in New York City" (sung by Huey Lewis) is a beautiful song. "Why Should I Worry?" (sung by Billy Joel) is an awesome song. They're both classic 80's songs.Billy Joel is hilarious as the voice of Dodger, the coolest street dog of New York city. Robert Loggia is great as the voice of the nasty villain Sykes. Cheech Marin is funny as the voice of the humorous and sometimes annoying Tito. Joseph Lawrence is very good as Oliver's voice. Natalie Gregory is also great as Jenny's voice.Oliver is naturally an adorable kitten. Georgette is one of the most irritating characters ever created by Disney. She's all confident, too proud of her own, arrogant, sarcastic, rude and snobbish. Her attitude towards Oliver is really annoying.Jenny is a sweet and lovely little girl, just like Penny from "The Rescuers". I think that Jenny was somehow inspired on Penny. I wouldn't be surprised. Even their names are very similar.Not everything is good on this movie, but it is okay. Very far from being one of Disney's finest, at least it is way better than most cartoons from nowadays.
The worst animated feature ever.
posted on 10 Jul 2009Everything about this movie is horrible. It is too violent for small children, the songs are poorly executed, the animation is sub-par, and it is altogether disjointed throughout. I don't know how Disney convinced any of the stars to use their voices in this one. Every part of this movie was painful to watch.