A rollicking adventure that is also exuberant fun, Dodie Smith's 101Dalmatians has become a modern classic for children and families.The alarming premise is that Dalmatian puppies have begun to vanishall over England. Behind this dastardly crime is a villain whoseviciousness is matched only by her style, the one and only Cruella deVil. Who will save them? The fate of their fellow canines is left toPongo and his Missis, aided by their masters Mr. and Mrs. Dearly,who rally dogs all over England to save the Dalmatian pups. It is not surprising to learn that the English-born author Dodie Smithlived and traveled with Dalmatians. In fact, when she and herhusband lived in the U.S., they traveled across the country six timesaccompanied by their dogs. Her affection for Dalmatians inspired herto write the story "The Great Dog Robbery," first published inWoman's Day magazine, which she expanded into the novel 101Dalmatians, published to critical acclaim in 1956. The book'spopularity took off when Walt Disney made it into an animated featurefilm in 1959. Disney produced a live-action remake in 1996 and asequel (102 Dalmatians) four years later. At the heart of thephenomenon is Dodie Smith's charming novel, which the ChicagoTribune called "a tale full to overflowing with those prime requisites ofa good story - warmth and humor, imagination and suspense - anda fascinating array of characters."

Not long ago, there lived in London a young married couple of Dalmatian dogs named Pongo and Missis Pongo. (Missis had added Pongo's name to her own on their marriage, but was still called Missis by most people.) They were lucky enough to own a young married couple of humans named Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, who were gentle, obedient, and unusually intelligent-almost canine at times. They understood quite a number of barks: the barks for "Out, please!" "In, please!" "Hurry up with my dinner!" and "What about a walk?" And even when they could not understand, they could often guess-if looked at soulfully or scratched by an eager paw. Like many other much-loved humans, they believed that they owned their dogs, instead of realizing that dogs owned them. Pongo and Missis found this touching and amusing and let their pets think it was true. Mr. Dearly, who had an office in the City, was particularly good at arithmetic. Many people called him a wizard of finance-which is not the same thing as a wizard of magic, though sometimes fairly similar. At the time when this story starts he was rather unusually rich for a rather unusual reason. He had done the Government a great service (something to do with getting rid of the national debt) and, as a reward, had been let off his income tax for life. Also the Government had lent him a small house on the Outer Circle of Regent's Park-just the right house for a man with a wife and dogs. Before their marriages, Mr. Dearly and Pongo had lived in a bachelor flat, where they were looked after by Mr. Dearly's old nurse, Nanny Butler. Mrs. Dearly and Missis had also lived in a bachelor flat (there are no such things as spinster flats), where they were looked after by Mrs. Dearly's old nurse, Nanny Cook. The dogs and their pets met at the same time and shared a wonderfully happy double engagement, but they were all a little worried about what was to happen to Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler. It would be all right when the Dearlys started a family, particularly if it could be twins, with one twin for each Nanny, but until then, what were the Nannies going to do? For though they could cook breakfast and provide meals on trays (meals called "a nice egg by the fire") neither of them was capable of running a smart little house in Regent's Park, where the Dearlys hoped to invite their friends to diner. And then something happened. Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler met and, after a few minutes of deep suspicion, took a great liking to each other. And they had a good laugh about their names. "What a pity we're not a real cook and butler," said Nanny Cook. "Yes, that's what's needed now," said Nanny Butler. And then they both together had the Great Idea: Nanny Cook would train to be a real cook, and Nanny Butler would train to be a real butler. They would start the very next day and be fully trained by the wedding. "But you'll have to be a parlourmaid, really," said Nanny Cook. "Certainly not," said Nanny Butler. "I haven't the figure for it. I shall be a real butler-and I shall valet Mr. Dearly, which will need no training as I've done it since the day he was born." And so when the Dearlys and the Pongos got back from their joint honeymoon, there were Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler, fully trained, ready to welcome them into the little house facing Regent's Park. It came as something of a shock that Nanny Butler was wearing trousers. "Wouldn't a black dress with a nice frilly apron be better?" suggested Mrs. Dearly-rather nervously, because Nanny Butler had never been her Nanny. "You can't be a butler without trousers," said Nanny Butler firmly. "But I'll get a frilly apron tomorrow. It will add a note of originality." It did.

 

Not one but 101 Dalmatians are kidnapped for ransom. Their fate seems uncertain, even dangerous..but the kidnapper is defeated. Smith’s delightful novel is the basis of the acclaimed 1956 Disney feature length animation. It was remade in the 90's with Glenn Close as Cruella.

Dodie Smith, born in Withefield, Lancashire, studied Dramatic Art in the

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although only her children's books have

made her a famous writer, she also wrote several novels for adults and

some autobiographical works. The Hundred and One Dalmatians was

first published in 1912, illustrated by Janet and Anne

Grahame-Johnstone, Dodie Smith's friends.

 

 

101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
Continue Browsing		View My Wish List