Lady and the Tramp (1955)

89% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(791,984 ratings)

Lady and the Tramp represented two "firsts" for Disney: It was the studio's first Cinemascope animated feature, and it was their first full-length cartoon based on an original story rather than an established "classic". Lady is the pampered female dog belonging to Jim Dear and Darling. When her… More Lady and the Tramp represented two "firsts" for Disney: It was the studio's first Cinemascope animated feature, and it was their first full-length cartoon based on an original story rather than an established "classic". Lady is the pampered female dog belonging to Jim Dear and Darling. When her human masters bring a baby into the house, Lady feels she's being eased out; and when Darling's insufferable Aunt Sarah introduces her nasty twin Siamese cats into the fold, Lady is certain that she's no longer welcome. The cats wreak all manner of havoc, for which Lady is blamed. After the poor dog is fitted with a muzzle, Lady escapes from the house, only to run across the path of the Tramp, a raffish male dog from the "wrong" side of town. The Tramp helps Lady remove her muzzle, then takes her out on a night on the town, culminating in a romantic spaghetti dinner, courtesy of a pair of dog-loving Italian waiters. After their idyllic evening together, Lady decides that it's her duty to protect Darling's baby from those duplicitous Siamese felines. On her way home, Lady is captured and thrown in the dog pound. Here she learns from a loose-living mutt named Peg that The Tramp is a canine rake. Disillusioned, Lady is more than happy to be returned to her humans, even though it means that she'll be chained up at the insistence of Aunt Sarah. Tramp comes into Lady's yard to apologize, but she wants no part of him. Suddenly, a huge, vicious rat breaks into the house, threatening the baby. Lady breaks loose, and together with Tramp, runs into the house to protect the infant. When the dust settles, it appears to Aunt Sarah that Tramp has tried to attack the child. That's when Lady's faithful friends Jock the bloodhound and Trusty the scottie swing into action, rescuing Tramp from the dogcatcher. Once Jim Dear and Darling are convinced that Tramp is a hero, he is invited to stay...and come next Christmas, there's a whole flock of little Ladies and Tramps gathered around the family. Beyond the usual excellent animation and visual effects, the principal selling card of Lady and the Tramp is its music. Many of the songs were performed and co-written by Peggy Lee, who years after the film's 1955 theatrical issue, successfully sued Disney for her fair share of residuals from the videocassette release. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: Clyde Geronimi, Barbara Luddy
Written By: Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Ralph Wright, Don DaGradi
Genres: Drama, Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 22, 1955 Wide
On DVD: Feb 7, 2012
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Walt Disney has for so long parlayed gooey sentiment and stark horror into profitable cartoons that most moviegoers are apt to be more surprised than disappointed to discover that the combination somehow does not work this time.
Variety Staff, Variety
The wider canvas and extra detail work reportedly meant an additional 30% in negative cost. It was a sound investment.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Disney's imagination seems at a low ebb, saddled with a shrunken, excessively naturalistic style in line with the diminished possibilities of postwar animation, and not yet graced by the inspiration that would redeem that style in Sleeping Beauty.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The sentimentality is mighty, and the use of the CinemaScope size does not make for any less awareness of the thickness of the goo.
Michelle Alexandria, Eclipse Magazine
I liked this movie a lot, the Blu-ray does it justice, but the extras while full featured - are from the DVD, which always feels a bit "lazy" to me when they don't produce, new material specifically for Blu-ray.
Michelle Alexandria, Eclipse Magazine
I just love hand drawn animation, it really brings to life all the characters in a very expressive way. The imperfections doing it by hand give everything a rougher edge but more heart.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
Handsomely, seductively drawn, Lady and the Tramp owns its place in the canon...
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
The release of Lady and the Tramp on Blu-ray is proof positive that the visual joys of the films of Disney's salad days will always outweigh the thinness of their narratives, even at their most bland.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
in many ways it is closer to the man Walt Disney's view of the world than any of his preceding films, especially the way it is filtered largely through his sense of nostalgia for the Victorian era
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
A somewhat dry, but very good Disney animated effort punctuated by a few Disney-defining classic moments.
Jolene Mendez, Entertainment Spectrum
Share the love of "Lady and the Tramp" with your loved ones this Valentine's Day.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A wonderful blend of timeless romance, wholesome adventure, and breathtaking animation.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Classic Disney dogs paw their way into hearts.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Easily the most beautifully-animated piece to come out of the Disney Studios since the Golden Age ended.
Todd Gilchrist, IGN Movies
Lady and the Tramp: 50th Anniversary Edition not only reminds modern audiences of its deservedly immortal status, but provides a much-needed standard of comparison for more recent animated features.
Michael Scheinfeld, TV Guide's Movie Guide
[It made] more money than any other film from the 1950s except The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur.
Daniel Etherington, Film4
A charming piece of vintage entertainment from Walt Disney, replete with wholesome family values.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Disney's Lady and the Tramp is not the usual Disney animated fare. First of all, the story isn't based on a fairy tale for a change. It's an original story cooked up by Disney himself and his cohorts. It gives them a little bit more freedom as storytellers and do… More
Disney's Lady and the Tramp is not the usual Disney animated fare. First of all, the story isn't based on a fairy tale for a change. It's an original story cooked up by Disney himself and his cohorts. It gives them a little bit more freedom as storytellers and do something different for a change, which they did. Second, it was the first film in Disney's animated library that was a widescreen film using the Cinemascope process. Third, it was one of the first times that they used a big name in an acting role (actually three roles): Peggy Lee. This was also a bit of an obsession film for Walt who was an avid animal lover. Most of his most popular characters where animals, but this seemed more articulate. It's not my favorite Disney film in their library, but it's certainly one of their most interesting titles.
Jeff "

Lady and the Tramp is one of Disney's all time greatest classic films. If you love a good ol classic Disney flick that you enjoy as a family, then Lady and the Tramp is yet another wonderful film from Disney. This film has heart, comedy and a wonderful story. The animation is as… More
Lady and the Tramp is one of Disney's all time greatest classic films. If you love a good ol classic Disney flick that you enjoy as a family, then Lady and the Tramp is yet another wonderful film from Disney. This film has heart, comedy and a wonderful story. The animation is as usual terrific, and like so many other Disney films that came before and after it, this film is a real classic. The voice talents involved are wonderful too, and The Lady and the Tramp is a definite must see family film. Like every other Disney film Lady and the Tramp is memorable and fun. Sure it's not flawless, but for what it is, it's a near flawless film with a great story that everyone of all ages can enjoy. The film boasts memorable characters that are amusing to watch on-screen. This is simply put a heartwarming film that is one of Disney's best animated features. There are few flaws, and since there are so many good things to enjoy about the film, it's easy to forget its flaws. Overall anyone looking for a fun, memorable animated film will be pleased that The Lady and the tramp is such a film. This is yet another classic Disney film that delivers what you'd expect and more. Lady and the Tramp is a terrific film, it has a great voice cast, memorable moments and incredible animation. A real classic of the animation medium. Beautifully drawn, and with a wonderful story, I think this one of Disney's most enduring films.
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
Conner R

When it comes to cute little dog movies, it's hard to top Lady and the Tramp. It manages to steal your heart with very little ease and tell you a story worth being so invested in. The characters are so well done; none of them need to go out of their way in order to show why they… More
When it comes to cute little dog movies, it's hard to top Lady and the Tramp. It manages to steal your heart with very little ease and tell you a story worth being so invested in. The characters are so well done; none of them need to go out of their way in order to show why they matter in the story. The great animation and highly relatable relationship between humans and dogs is what makes it still matter so much. It also has one of the most diabolical set of villains the world has ever witnessed: the Siamese Cats of Aunt Sarah.
Brad W

A sweet and kind Disney flick.
Dead A

Nice.
Michael E

as always with disney fantastic animation, great characters, great acting, and fantastic songs
Unknown H

Not the best Disney movie.
AJ V

An okay Disney movie, it's as if they took the script for a fifties romantic comedy and turned it into a cartoon with dogs. In doing that it's just as predictable as any other romance movie, but with "cute" dogs.
Bently L

A truly romantic and beautiful film. Much better than today's romantic comedies. "Just a cute little bundle... of trouble!"
Wahida K

Cute Classic.
Michael G

Ah, they don't make them like this one anymore. Lush, organic hand-drawn animation, not using music exclusively to move the already skimpy story forward and characters based around racial stereotypes. In all sincerity, I miss the Good Old Days. Lady and the Tramp wasn't as… More
Ah, they don't make them like this one anymore. Lush, organic hand-drawn animation, not using music exclusively to move the already skimpy story forward and characters based around racial stereotypes. In all sincerity, I miss the Good Old Days. Lady and the Tramp wasn't as good as I remembered it to be and that dog pound sequence depressed the living shit out of me. Oh, and Aunt Sara and her shitball cats can burn in hell. But it beats the hell out of most kids' animation that comes out today and overall, its not bad.
Anthony L

Always give your loved one your meatballs, they?ll love you forever for it!
Jason O

"Lady and the Tramp" isn't the best Disney film ever made, but it's a good one. It's about Lady, and Tramp, a street dog that teaches Lady more ways of living. Lady struggles with her owners once they have a new baby, and she struggles even more once Aunt… More
"Lady and the Tramp" isn't the best Disney film ever made, but it's a good one. It's about Lady, and Tramp, a street dog that teaches Lady more ways of living. Lady struggles with her owners once they have a new baby, and she struggles even more once Aunt Sarah comes to the house to take care of the baby. That's when Tramp, Boris, and Trusty keep her company to keep her from becoming too depressed. Some of the scenes you'll remember from "Lady and the Tramp" are when Tramp takes Lady on a trip to the zoo, and when Trusty chases down a dog pound truck. The movie has some good songs and it'll keep you interested from the start of the movie to the end, without losing your attention. If you like Disney movies, I recommend getting "Lady and the Tramp." Lady and the Tramp II is coming out soon on video also. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000 of this Disney classic.
Thomas B

spag bol at a restaurant will never be the same
Candy R

lovely animation about two dogs - one homeless and one a wealthy family pet. I love the spaghetti scene.
Cassie H

Sweet Movie!
Tsubaki S

Dogs bore me, i prefer cats.
Taylor B

The tramp is bomb
Nani V

My movie.