The whimsical world of Doctor John Dolittle, a physician who possesses the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals, has charmed audiences for generations. Created by Hugh Lofting in his series of children’s books starting in the 1920s, Doctor Dolittle’s adventures have transcended the page to grace the silver screen multiple times. For those looking to explore these cinematic interpretations, understanding the order of Doctor Dolittle movies is key. This article will guide you through the Doctor Dolittle Movies In Order, while also taking a closer look at one particular adaptation that has garnered a rather infamous reputation: the 1967 musical Doctor Dolittle.
To properly appreciate the journey through Dolittle’s cinematic history, let’s list the films in chronological order of their release:
- Doctor Dolittle (1967)
- Dr. Dolittle (1998)
- Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)
- Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006)
- Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief (2008)
- Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)
- Dolittle (2020)
This list provides a clear path for anyone wanting to watch the Doctor Dolittle movies in order of release, allowing you to see how the character and stories have been reimagined over the decades.
Now, while the Doctor Dolittle franchise spans several films, it’s impossible to discuss these movies without addressing the elephant in the room – or perhaps, the Great Pink Sea Snail: the 1967 Doctor Dolittle. This ambitious musical, starring Rex Harrison, holds a unique place in film history, and not always for positive reasons.
Rex Harrison as Doctor Dolittle in the 1967 film, showcasing the movie’s elaborate set design and costume.
A Deep Dive into the 1967 “Doctor Dolittle”: A Critical Reappraisal
Released in 1967, this Doctor Dolittle aimed to be a grand, spectacular musical in the vein of successes like Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, and The Sound of Music. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the studio hoped to replicate the massive success of The Sound of Music, which had previously rescued them from financial woes. However, Doctor Dolittle became a stark example of ambition outweighing execution, resulting in a film that was critically panned and a box office bomb.
Production and Context: Ambition and Disaster
The making of Doctor Dolittle was fraught with difficulties. Mark Harris’s book Pictures at a Revolution even highlights the film’s production as one of the most tumultuous and captivating stories within the motion picture industry of the 1960s. The set was reportedly plagued with infighting, cost overruns, and numerous delays. The film’s ambition was evident in its elaborate sets and location shooting in the UK, intended to create a storybook-like atmosphere for the fictional village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, set in 1845. Despite the effort and expense poured into the film’s visuals, the final product failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Samantha Eggar in a scene from the 1967 Doctor Dolittle movie, illustrating the film’s attempt to create a detailed and immersive world.
Narrative and Structure: A Disjointed Journey
The screenplay, primarily crafted by Leslie Bricusse, attempted to weave together elements from the first three Doctor Dolittle books by Hugh Lofting. The narrative follows Dr. John Dolittle (Rex Harrison), a misanthropic veterinarian who prefers the company of animals and can speak their languages. The plot is loosely structured around Dolittle’s quest to find the mythical Great Pink Sea Snail. This quest is awkwardly divided into three distinct acts: establishing Dolittle’s character, a lengthy and seemingly irrelevant circus sequence to raise funds, and finally, the sea voyage in search of the snail. This fragmented structure contributes to a sense of disjointedness, making the 152-minute runtime feel even longer and more arduous.
Casting and Performances: Mismatched and Unlikable
The casting choices in the 1967 Doctor Dolittle are often cited as a major weakness. Rex Harrison, known for his role in My Fair Lady, portrays Doctor Dolittle not as a charming eccentric, but as a smug and unlikeable know-it-all. His portrayal lacks warmth and makes it difficult for the audience to connect with the character. Anthony Newley as Matthew Mugg, Dolittle’s friend, delivers a performance marked by an exaggerated Irish accent and a forced charm that comes across as grating. Samantha Eggar, playing Emma Fairfax, is given little to do and appears visibly uncomfortable in her role. The on-set tensions, including reports of Harrison’s behavior towards Newley, seemed to translate into a lack of chemistry and enthusiasm on screen.
Anthony Newley and Rex Harrison in a scene from Doctor Dolittle (1967), highlighting the strained on-screen dynamic between the lead actors.
Music and Songs: Effortful Rhymes, Minimal Charm
Leslie Bricusse, who also wrote the songs, delivered a score that is largely considered unmemorable and even irritating. The songs are characterized by verbose and overly clever lyrics, often sacrificing meaning for the sake of strained rhymes. Rex Harrison’s signature “Talk to the Animals,” a song intended to be the film’s highlight, is essentially spoken-word poetry set to music, lacking melodic appeal. Despite the perceived weakness of the music, Bricusse surprisingly won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Talk to the Animals,” a decision that has been debated for decades, especially considering the strong competition that year.
Visuals and Setting: A Glimmer of Competence
One aspect where Doctor Dolittle (1967) does receive some credit is its visual presentation. The film’s production design and location shooting create a tangible and detailed world. The sets, both interior and exterior, are richly detailed, and the film manages to capture a sense of realism despite its fantastical premise. Cinematographer Robert Surtees, who also shot The Graduate in the same year, brings a certain visual heft to the film, even if the color palette leans towards muted browns. This visual richness, however, is often overshadowed by the film’s other shortcomings.
Why It’s Considered a “Worst” Best Picture Nominee: A Legacy of Disappointment
Despite its numerous flaws, Doctor Dolittle (1967) received a surprising nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Many believe these nominations were less a reflection of the film’s quality and more a result of studio pressure. The film’s critical and commercial failure, combined with its lengthy runtime, disjointed narrative, and unlikable characters, has cemented its reputation as one of the worst films ever nominated for Best Picture. It stands as a cautionary tale of overspending and misguided ambition in Hollywood filmmaking.
Conclusion: Doctor Dolittle’s Mixed Cinematic Legacy
While the 1967 Doctor Dolittle remains a notable, if not notorious, entry in the list of Doctor Dolittle movies in order, subsequent adaptations have attempted to bring a more contemporary and, arguably, more successful vision of the animal-loving doctor to the screen. From Eddie Murphy’s comedic take in Dr. Dolittle (1998) and its sequels to Robert Downey Jr.’s more recent interpretation in Dolittle (2020), the character continues to be reimagined for new audiences.
For those interested in exploring the Doctor Dolittle movies in order, starting with the 1967 version offers a fascinating, albeit bumpy, beginning. Understanding its historical context and critical reception provides valuable insight into the challenges of adapting beloved children’s literature for the big screen and the unpredictable nature of Hollywood filmmaking. Whether you are drawn to the spectacle of the 1967 musical or prefer the more modern interpretations, the journey through the Doctor Dolittle movies offers a diverse range of cinematic experiences.
