101 Dalmatians
Animated (1961)
2-Disc Platinum Edition
Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release date: March 4, 2008

Pongo is a dalmatian who lives in London with his “pet” Roger, a human who works as a songwriter. One day, Pongo decides that both Roger and he need companions, so while out for a walk in the park one day, Pongo gets the attention of another dalmatian, Perdita, and her “pet” human Anita. Roger and Anita eventually fall in love, as does Pongo and Perdita and they all live happily together … but not for long.

After finding out that Perdita is pregnant, an old acquaintance of Anita — the evil wealthy Cruella De Vil — shows up demanding the puppies with the intention of using making a dog-skin coat. Anita and Roger refuse to give in to Cruella’s demands, so Cruella hires too bumbling goons to kidnap the 15 puppies once they’re born. While the humans search for the puppies, the dalmatian parents try their own methods of locating their babies with the help of other animals in the area.

Disney’s 1961 animated feature 101 Dalmatians has stood the test of time, not only with its animation, but also with its tugging of the heartstrings storytelling.