MovieChat Forums > Doctor Dolittle (1967) Discussion > Missing Footage

Missing Footage

posted 19 years ago by Owlzindabarn
37 replies | jump to latest

Well, this forum is hardly ever looked at (apparently!) but I'm gonna try anyway. So what does anyone know about the deleted footage? I understand the stuff was used for the Roadshow version, but was scrapped for general release. I understand that the current dvd is the shortened version. Here's what I know to be missing:

1.) The prologue with Dr. Dolittle traveling to Africa to cure the alligator's bad tooth.

2.) Emma's verse of "Beautiful Things." If you look on the theatrical trailer, there's a bit where Emma and Matthew are inside the tent; that doesn't exist in the current version. I don't know if it was a part of that song or not. The editing around the song doesn't really indicate whether anything's missing or not. Perhaps the song was recorded completely, but not filmed with Emma's part.

3.) The entire song "Where are the words to Describe Her?" As sung by Matthew on the boat, to an exhausted Emma.

4.) The entire song "Something in your Smile" sung by Rex Harrison. This is probably the most hauntingly beautiful and lyrical song in the movie. And they cut it. Good move, dorks!

That's all I know about. All those songs are in their entirely on the soundtrack album. Photos of the missing scenes are included in the old lp release. The synoposis accompanying those photos describes the missing scenes.

Well, so what do we know? Do the missing scenes still exist? Is there any chance of a restoration some fine day? I will post this comment here, but I may have to wait a couple years for a response, it seems...lol

[–] Bklyn4ever 19 years ago

Mr. Owl-I just wanted you to receive a reply before ten years go by so that you know people do read and care about this thread (in my case because I'm a big fan of Anthony Newley). But unfortunately I have no answers for you. I have noticed deletion #3. I saw the film when it was first released in the sixties, and I sorely miss "Where are the Words" on the video I now have. The song "Something in Your Smile" may be missing too--that would be a crime, but nowadays when I watch it or convince my kids to watch it every so often, I don't pay much attention to Rex's role. Newley does a great rendition of this song, by the way, on some of his recordings. It might be on one of his CD's that are currently available.
So I second Owl's plea: does anyone know of a restored release that includes the missing parts?

[–] Owlzindabarn 19 years ago

All the deleted songs are on the soundtrack album of this movie, thank God. And yes they are beautiful; they really round out the movie nicely> Thank you for responding...I thought this was just one of those dead forums lol. Hopefully others think as we do and can get behind a special dvd with all the deleted scenes.

[–] Owlzindabarn 19 years ago

Oh and I have to point out that both "Where are the Words" and "Something in your Smile" are played prominently either in the overtures, opening credits, intermission and exit musics. Always thought that was funny seeing as how they're important enough for the interstitial music but not important enough for the actual film. Now that I think about it, this missing footage bugs me even more. Let's see it, folks! lol

[–] cannescrwrtr 19 years ago

I'm not crazy about purchasing soundtracks because they always seem to end up with dvds (because of the movie titles).... but this will be an exception.

Thanks for the info. about this soundtrack..... it is a "must-have".

["It’s never too late to do the right thing."]

[–] Owlzindabarn 19 years ago

I don't even know if it's available on cd. I have an old lp from the 60s of Dr. D. And it's kind of like a Disneyland record, in that it has the full-color book attached...and that book as I said, has stills and descriptions of all the missing scenes and songs. Ultra-cool...!

[–] Bklyn4ever 19 years ago

The CD exists and I have it. All the songs are there complete. No booklet though. I really liked the LP booklet when I was a kid. Of course, because of my crush on Anthony Newley I used to do bizarre things with it like sleep with it under my pillow.

[–] Owlzindabarn 19 years ago

Does the CD soundtrack include the complete tracks of songs like "Talk to the Animals" and "Never Seen Anything Like it?" 'Cause those both were heavily edited in the LP version that I have. Also the LP left out Emma's long prelude into "Crossroad of Life:" where she sings "If I were a man I'd scratch his eyes out..." etc.

[–] Bklyn4ever 19 years ago

Dear Owl--No, I don't think the CD has longer versions of the songs from the LP. It's just that the LP and the CD both contain songs that were cut from the final release of the movie. I still hope that a restored DVD will be released!

[–] wristwatchraver-1 14 years ago

I was introduced by the CD of the stage show with Philip Schofield. One of my favourite songs "You're Impossible" sung between the Doctor and Emma is on there but missing from the film. I just wondered if anybody knew was this filmed but never used was this particular song even recorded or written when the film was made?

[–] Bklyn4ever 14 years ago

No, I don't remember that from the original release of the film.
It might be additional material added for the stage musical.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] lroy77 10 years ago

If anybody has the negatives, I wish they would put the scenes back in.

This movie is supposed to have a long prologue in the very beginning before the credits, and there is an extended intermission but most stations do not show it.

[–] FromFireIsland 17 years ago

I'm thinking of making a homemade soundtrack album, featuring ALL of the songs from the original LP (which I have on CD, on the Philips label), PLUS extended songs, music, and cues from the film itself via the currently available DVD. Which, by the way, is truly dreadful. Will we ever see a restored version of this film, will ALL of the musical numbers put back in, and in its orginal TODD-AO 70mm format? The movie's 40th anniversary is this year, so now would be a good time. I'd hate to wait another 10 years for the 50th.

[–] f111151 18 years ago

I don't know if this will be read, but I saw the film in it's original roadshow release, and I do remember the entire "Beautiful Things" number being in it, it advanced the Matthew/Emma romantic subplot. I also remember seeing this number in the very first showing on Network television. Once the film moved down to multiple showings on non-network channels it was cut and never to my knowledge restored. As for the other numbers, I do remember Matthew's solo, but not the Doctor's. I hope I was of some help.

[–] Owlzindabarn 18 years ago

I remember seeing in on network tv in the early 70s...don't ask me the exact year; I was probably seven. I don't know if those songs were on there or not. I still don't know if the missing footage exists...!

[–] gittes98 18 years ago

The numbers and scenes you mention were cut before the movie's original roadshow opening, mostly for the old reliable reason of pacing. The opening giraffe scene confused audiences in previews and the songs were cut to shorten an already long movie.(Would you want to sit in a theatre at night with little kids for over 2 1/2 hours). The songs were included on the soundtrack album since it was released well in advance of the movie. For an account of the making of this movie, try and find a copy of the book The Studio by John Gregory Dunne. Hope this helps.

We've analyzied their attack sir and there is a danger. Shall I have your ship standing by?
Evacuate, in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Owlzindabarn 17 years ago

It's all well and great. But today, grown-ups with dvd players want to see the missing footage. The kids can be carried out on their stretchers and we can see some long-lost footage of Anthony Newley and Rex Harrison. I hope this happens someday soon.

[–] scottoro 18 years ago

I saw Doctor Dolittle about four years ago at the Egyptian in Hollywood in a new 70mm print, which I presume was struck for the DVD. Samantha Eggar was there. Someone asked if she knew what happened to the missing footage and she didn't know. The print they showed included the overture, intermission music and exit music, so I have to assume Where are the Words and Something in Your Smile were deleted before the original release. As it is, the movie is about 2 1/2 hours and though I am in danger of angering a few die hard fans here, let's face it, the movie was a bit of a snooze at times. Something in Your Smile is a pleasant song, but it comes after the climax and it was really high time to wrap things up. Back in those days, soundtrack albums tended to be released a few months or more before the release of the film, so this sort of thing did happen from time to time. Look at The King and I. "Shall I Tell You What I think of You?" is not in the film and it's in the soundtrack album.

I would guess that the so-called missing footage still exists. There were most assuredly previews of the 3 hour version and I suspect people had to be carried out on stretchers. I saw it in a theatre when it came out and was not interested in the chaste romances. Seeing it many years later, I still saw it as a very handsomely mounted but deeply flawed mess.

[–] Bklyn4ever 18 years ago

Thanks for the update, scottoro.
But I saw the film in its first run, not a preview, at a neighborhood cinema in Brooklyn, and the missing songs were there!
How could I forget (or be hapy with a dvd that lacks) the visual image of Anthony Newley as he entones,
"Graceful, slendaarr,
gentle, tendaarr,
THERE ARE NO WARRDS THAT DESCRIBE HAAARRRR!"
(from "Where Are the Words?")

"The root of all unhappiness is unmet expectation." ô¿ô

[–] gittes98 18 years ago

Thanks for the info on the British version. Could you imagine young kids sitting in a theatre for well over three hours? They'd be cranky or asleep before Intermission.

[–] jgcoco 17 years ago

FYI first run would not be in Brooklyn. It would have been at the Loews Statte Theatre in Times SQ where the roadshow presentation premiered. And scottoro is correct, DOLITTLE was trimmed BEFORE the premiere!

[–] laurence01 17 years ago

I am pretty sure that the version they show on tv in the UK has some of the missing songs in it.

[–] cameo-kirby 17 years ago

According to Fox studio records "Something in Your Smile" was cut before the film was even previewed. After the Minneapolis preview (September 8, 1967) the prologue was cut and the animated credits shortened. The second preview was in San Francisco (October 20, 1967); for the final preview, in San Jose (October 21, 1967) "Where Are the Words" was cut and "Beautiful Things" was shortened "to the bone." This print got the best audience response cards and this was the version released to theatres. That said, I saw "Doctor Dolittle" in it's initial engagement (in Chicago at the Michael Todd Theatre) and I could swear the prologue-with Doctor Dolittle removing a bad tooth from a crocodile-was intact.

[–] scottoro 15 years ago

Very interesting, cameo. That prologue bit sounds very familiar to me too. I saw it in Louisville at the Rialto Theatre, a beautiful old palace based on the Capitol Theatre in NY. Dolittle was the last movie to play there before it was torn down.

[–] ghaleon318 17 years ago

does anybody know if they turned this movie into a dvd yeat? I saw this movie when I was a child, now 27 and I would love a dvd copy of it, I got it on tape but everbody knows tapes don't last.

[–] gittes98 17 years ago

Yes, it's quite readily available on DVD.

[–] Owlzindabarn 17 years ago

Does anybody know if the missing footage still exixts+?

[–] cameo-kirby 17 years ago

According to people who worked at Fox Home Video it doesn't. When the movie was prepared for DVD release they checked the vaults but didn't find anything.

[–] moviebuffmel90 16 years ago

Why don't they check again?

[–] moviebuffmel90 16 years ago

Found the full version of "Beautiful Things"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqNFUG03AIk

[–] slymongoose 15 years ago

Alas, yes - YEARS!

I saw the film when it was released. I was living in Los Angeles at the time and Mom took me and my friends to see it. I am not sure of the exact date and time. I was 5 years old. Ha!

But I *do* remember seeing the scenes! All except the first one you mention. Odd, but there you are. I'm not sure just why we got to see them included. maybe there was some kind of a pre-national release done just locally?

I'm with you that these should be in the film. I think they were removed because it's a kid's movie and for that, it does run pretty long even without these precious songs and moments included. For many kids it was like sitting through "Dances with Wolves" is today for grown-ups. I think at least one of my friends fell asleep. But I was spellbound by it all.

Also they probably figured such sentimental and heart-tugging songs were too much "mush" for the kiddies to sit through. Phooey on that, say I!

Anyway, in those days they sold the records of the soundtrack right in the lobby after the movie. mom bought it for me and I'm pretty sure I still have it in my LP collection. There are photos from the missing scenes on/in the cover.

So, yes, I do hope someday to see the fully restored version. The songs have value and they do add to the movie.

[–] movieghoul 14 years ago

I saw the film at Loews State in New York in December, 1967 and the prologue was definitely not there. Also, the overture over the opening credits was very short and was almost all Talk to the Animals.

[–] phillindholm 14 years ago

Yes, the ''Missing Footage'' was cut before the ''Roadshow'' and ''General Release'' in neighborhood theaters. They didn't cut nearly enough. This film sustains interest for(maybe) ten minutes.

[–] nycruise-1 13 years ago

I saw the movie after it went into general release during its first run.

I went remembering the entire synopsis that had been explained on the soundtrack album.

Imagine my surprise when, instead of Doolittle somewhere in Africa being shown fixing a croc's tooth, the credits simply appeared and a jumpy instrumental version of "Talk to the Animals" started playing (a version of the song which was NOT on the soundtrack!).

There was no intermission during that showing - and I remember thinking "Did they cut up the movie? What happened to those two songs? ["Where Are the Words?" and "Something in Your Smile"].

Glad to finally know that I saw the studio's "approved" release.

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] Mike-957 12 years ago

I saw this at the age of eight in the little cinema in Queenscliff, Victoria, which played movies over the summer holidays. Being raised on musicals I liked it and don't recall being bored or restless during it. Long family movies (egs THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE GREAT RACE, MY FAIR LADY) were everywhere in the '60's and most did well. DOLITTLE was no doubt made to appeal to both adults and children, thus the love songs and the "chaste three-way relationship" between the three main characters.
I recall full psge advertisements in the Herald newspaper in Melbourne when it opened at the (fairly) new Hoyts Cinema Centre in Bourke St and my dad promising to take me. Although the illustrations in the books make Dolittle look more like W.C. Fields than Rex Harrison, I can see why Harrison was chosen so soon after MY FAIR LADY and his Oscar win.(Considering Fields' attitude towards working with children and animals, there is a perverse appeal in imagining him doing this role). I have recently picked up Richard Fleischer's autobiography. Harrison was difficult (and reportedly made anti-semitic comments towards Anthony Newley, a Jew) and demanded Sidney Poitier be cast in the role of 'Bumpo', adding huge extra costs which were lost when Poitier backed out and the part was edited out of the screenplay.
I have hope regarding the missing footage.Complete Roadshow prints of SOUTH PACIFIC and THE ALAMO were discovered and released on dvd. The missing footage from 1776 was found down a mine shaft where Columbia stores some of their movies.The LOST HORIZON numbers turned up and have been reinstated in the film. According to some posts at Home Theater Forum, a former Warner Brothers employee has two complete 35mm CinemaScope prints of the 182 minute version of A STAR IS BORN. Sadly, they don't seem able to coerce him into giving them access to the footage. (I think he desires to be buried with it). Even Orson Welles' original THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS was reportedly found in unmarked canisters in a Film Archive in Brazil in the '70's. I'm sure someone, somewhere has the missing sequences from DOLITTLE. They may be faded, but I'd be happy to see how the movie plays with them included. (I have a "soft spot" for musical flops and consider some- like GOODBYE MR CHIPS and STAR! to be excellent and still underrated).
Interesting fact: Although Rex Harrison famously refused to lip-synch his songs in MY FAIR LADY and recorded them live, he was not happy with the "live" versions of his songs in DOLITTLE and expertly looped them in the studio, amazing Fleischer and his sound team. Considering Flesicher's famous father Max and his GULLIVER'S TRAVELS animated feature, it's fitting that Richard got to direct a big fantasy movie such as DOCTOR DOLITTLE. He covered many genres- noir, sci-fi-biopic etc- very well