Zebra in the Kitchen
Encyclopedia
Zebra in the Kitchen is a 1965 American family
comedy film
, produced and directed by Ivan Tors
. The film stars Jay North
in his first leading feature film role, Martin Milner
, Andy Devine
, and Joyce Meadows
, and tells the story of a 12-year-old boy's love and compassion for the animals he finds living at his local zoo
. Originally released by MGM as a children's matinee feature, the film has subsequently been released on VHS and DVD by Warner Brothers' family entertainment division.
) moves with his parents from the farm to the city, he secretly takes with him his woodland friend, a full-grown mountain lion. The problems surface when the mountain lion strolls around his new neighborhood, his friendliness mistaken for predatory habits. The neighbors get into an uproar and Chris is forced to allow his friend to be relocated to the city zoo
.
When Chris visits the zoo to see his feline friend, he is horrified to discover that not only the mountain lion, but all the animals are confined in cramped cages, unhappy and unhealthy. Stirred by the plight of the animals, Chris "borrows" the keys from the zoo-keeper and sets every animal in the zoo free. Taking advantage of their newfound freedom, the animals wander happily about the city, providing a series of amusing situations and panicked townspeople.
began in July 1964, and was Jay North
's first starring role after the cancellation of his hit television series Dennis the Menace. The film was produced and directed by Ivan Tors
, who had become well known for his work with children and animals with the success of his MGM films Rhino! and Flipper
, as well as the Flipper
television series. The film's theme song, "Zebra in the Kitchen" was written by young North's uncle and on-set guardian, Hal Hopper and was performed by The Standells
.
During a scene where a man (played by Eddie Quillan
) watches television, extracts from the 1934 MGM comedy, Hollywood Party
are used, featuring Laurel and Hardy
and Lupe Vélez
; Quillan himself also had a part in the 1934 film.
Family film
A family film is a film genre that is designed to appeal to a variety of age groups and, thus, families.In December 2005, Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial came first in a poll of the 100 Greatest Family Films. The genre today generates billions of dollars per annum.Family...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
, produced and directed by Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors was a Hungarian playwright, film director, screenwriter, and film and television producer with an emphasis on non-violent but exciting science fiction, underwater filmed television and films, and films about animals...
. The film stars Jay North
Jay North
Jay North is an American actor. Beginning a prolific career as a child actor at the age of six, North became a household name during the early 1960s for his role as the well-meaning, but mischievous, Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace, based on the comic strip created...
in his first leading feature film role, Martin Milner
Martin Milner
Martin Sam Milner is an American actor best known for his performances in two popular television series, Adam-12 and Route 66....
, Andy Devine
Andy Devine
Andrew Vabre "Andy" Devine was an American character actor and comic cowboy sidekick known for his distinctive raspy voice.-Early life:...
, and Joyce Meadows
Joyce Meadows
Joyce Meadows is a Canadian-American actress. From 1960-1961, she co-starred as Stacy in the syndicated western series Two Faces West with Charles Bateman and Francis De Sales...
, and tells the story of a 12-year-old boy's love and compassion for the animals he finds living at his local zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
. Originally released by MGM as a children's matinee feature, the film has subsequently been released on VHS and DVD by Warner Brothers' family entertainment division.
Synopsis
When Chris Carlyle (Jay NorthJay North
Jay North is an American actor. Beginning a prolific career as a child actor at the age of six, North became a household name during the early 1960s for his role as the well-meaning, but mischievous, Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace, based on the comic strip created...
) moves with his parents from the farm to the city, he secretly takes with him his woodland friend, a full-grown mountain lion. The problems surface when the mountain lion strolls around his new neighborhood, his friendliness mistaken for predatory habits. The neighbors get into an uproar and Chris is forced to allow his friend to be relocated to the city zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
.
When Chris visits the zoo to see his feline friend, he is horrified to discover that not only the mountain lion, but all the animals are confined in cramped cages, unhappy and unhealthy. Stirred by the plight of the animals, Chris "borrows" the keys from the zoo-keeper and sets every animal in the zoo free. Taking advantage of their newfound freedom, the animals wander happily about the city, providing a series of amusing situations and panicked townspeople.
Cast
- Jay NorthJay NorthJay North is an American actor. Beginning a prolific career as a child actor at the age of six, North became a household name during the early 1960s for his role as the well-meaning, but mischievous, Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace, based on the comic strip created...
... Chris Carlyle - Martin MilnerMartin MilnerMartin Sam Milner is an American actor best known for his performances in two popular television series, Adam-12 and Route 66....
... Dr. Del Hartwood - Andy DevineAndy DevineAndrew Vabre "Andy" Devine was an American character actor and comic cowboy sidekick known for his distinctive raspy voice.-Early life:...
... Branch Hawksbill - Joyce MeadowsJoyce MeadowsJoyce Meadows is a Canadian-American actress. From 1960-1961, she co-starred as Stacy in the syndicated western series Two Faces West with Charles Bateman and Francis De Sales...
... Isobel Moon - Jim DavisJim Davis (actor)Jim Davis was an American actor, best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the CBS prime-time soap Dallas, a role which he held up until his death in April 1981.-Biography:...
... Adam Carlyle - Dorothy Green ... Anne Carlyle
- Karen Green ... Wilma Carlyle
- Vaughn TaylorVaughn Taylor (actor)Vaughn Taylor was an American film and television actor. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.His film credits include Jailhouse Rock, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Psycho and In Cold Blood....
... Councilman Pew - John MilfordJohn MilfordJohn Milford was an American actor in theatre, television, and films, playing scores of roles, often as a western villain....
... Sgt. Freebee - Tristram Coffin ... Councilman Lawrence
- Merritt Bohn ... Chief of Police
- Robert ClarkeRobert ClarkeRobert Irby Clarke was an American actor best known for his cult classic science fiction films of the 1950s.-Early life:...
... Sheriff - Percy HeltonPercy HeltonPercy Helton was an American film and television actor.One of his most memorable supporting roles was playing a drunken Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street. He also appeared in small but memorable roles in Criss Cross , The Set-Up , Kiss Me Deadly and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...
... Mr. Richardson - Jimmy Stiles ... Tim
- Dal Jenkins ... Kookie
- Gordon Wescourt ... Ribs
- Gary Judis ... Greenie
- Robert LoweryRobert Lowery (actor)Robert Lowery was an American motion picture, television, and stage actor who appeared in over seventy films.-Early life:...
... Preston Heston - Wayne Thomas ... Newscaster
- Doodles WeaverDoodles WeaverWinstead Sheffield Weaver , who used the professional name Doodles Weaver, was an American actor and comedian on radio, recordings, and television. He was the brother of NBC executive Sylvester "Pat" Weaver and the uncle of actress Sigourney Weaver.Born in Los Angeles, Weaver was given the nickname...
... Nearsighted Man - Jon LormerJon LormerJon Lormier was an American actor.Born as Jonathan Lormier, he appeared in three separate roles in Star Trek: The Original Series: as Dr...
... Judge - Vince BarnettVince BarnettVince Barnett was an American film actor. He appeared on stage originally before appearing in over 180 films between 1930 and 1975....
... Man in Manhole - Phil ArnoldPhil ArnoldPhil Arnold was an American screen, stage, television, and vaudeville actor. He appeared in approximately 150 films and television shows between 1939 and 1968....
... Man in Tub
Production
Principal photographyPrincipal photography
thumb|300px|Film production on location in [[Newark, New Jersey]].Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is filmed, with actors on set and cameras rolling, as distinct from pre-production and post-production....
began in July 1964, and was Jay North
Jay North
Jay North is an American actor. Beginning a prolific career as a child actor at the age of six, North became a household name during the early 1960s for his role as the well-meaning, but mischievous, Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace, based on the comic strip created...
's first starring role after the cancellation of his hit television series Dennis the Menace. The film was produced and directed by Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors was a Hungarian playwright, film director, screenwriter, and film and television producer with an emphasis on non-violent but exciting science fiction, underwater filmed television and films, and films about animals...
, who had become well known for his work with children and animals with the success of his MGM films Rhino! and Flipper
Flipper (1963 film)
Flipper is an American feature film released on August 14, 1963 written by Ricou Browning and Jack Cowden. Produced by Ivan Tors and directed by James B. Clark, it portrays a 12-year old boy living with his parents on the Florida Keys, who befriends an injured wild dolphin...
, as well as the Flipper
Flipper (1964 TV series)
Flipper, from Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, is an American television program first broadcast on NBC from September 19, 1964, until April 15, 1967. Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin, is the companion animal of Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at fictional Coral Key Park...
television series. The film's theme song, "Zebra in the Kitchen" was written by young North's uncle and on-set guardian, Hal Hopper and was performed by The Standells
The Standells
The Standells are a garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in the 1960s, who have been referred to as the "Godfathers of Punk Rock", and are best known for their 1966 hit "Dirty Water," now the anthem of several Boston sports teams.-The 1960s:...
.
During a scene where a man (played by Eddie Quillan
Eddie Quillan
Edward "Eddie" Quillan was an American film actor whose career began as a child on the vaudeville stages and silent film and continued through the age of television in the 1980s.-Vaudeville and silent films:...
) watches television, extracts from the 1934 MGM comedy, Hollywood Party
Hollywood Party (1934 film)
Hollywood Party is a musical film starring Jimmy Durante. It was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film had no director credited, although it has been asserted that Richard Boleslawski, Allan Dwan, Edmund Goulding, Russell Mack, Charles Reisner, Roy Rowland, George Stevens and Sam Wood...
are used, featuring Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
and Lupe Vélez
Lupe Vélez
Lupe Vélez was a Mexican film actress. Vélez began her career in Mexico as a dancer, before moving to the U.S. where she worked in vaudeville. She was seen by Fanny Brice who promoted her, and Vélez soon entered films, making her first appearance in 1924. By the end of the decade she had...
; Quillan himself also had a part in the 1934 film.