No, I’m not about to give you 101 reasons for anything. This post would be enormously too long and I might go crazy trying to write it.
But I want to mention a movie with 101 things that were cute and adorable. That movie would be, you guessed it, 101 Dalmatians Not to be too much of a fanatic, but you’re childhood isn’t complete until you’ve seen this movie. You haven’t been scared until you see this villain-ess. The movie itself was amusing and had a good plot line, but to me, the real star was Cruella De Vil. The character I think is Disney’s strongest villain ever made.
Let’s just start with her name. Cruella = cruel, De Vil squished together makes Devil. It is inherently obvious what her character’s personality will be like. Her country home of Hell Hall, must have made a bad impression on visitors as well. Disney starts making it very clear what you are supposed to think of her character.
Her smoking is something to be looked at as well. The sickening green trail it leaves behind and around people just gives a crude aftertaste. It also serves to show a darker look to her character. That even when around her ‘old friend’ Anita, her nice words are tainted by the ring of smoke always around her. How it makes the habit seem so tasteless and disgusting that it would turn children away from it.
In making her character, the animators took into consideration her appearance. The woman had no scruples about killing puppies for the purpose of beauty, something she lacked with her skeleton like frame and face. Without her big fur jacket that allows her to takeover whatever room she is in, there would not be much else to her. Her red gloves give her an aristocratic look that is tainted by her actions and demeanor.
As the movie progresses, the character only grows scarier as her plans are foiled by the canines. As shown in this picture, her hair becomes untamed, her eyes wide and red and her face even more disfigured.
In all, her character is built into one of the most vile Disney villains ever. So beware, Cruella De Vil and her wicked puppy-snatching ways.
commented on: Michael Morse’s
What is awesome about Cruela also is that she is based on a real person. Tallulah Bankhead was one of the original “bad girls” of Hollywood who did copious amounts of cocaine and alcohol during Prohibition and had a nasty temper. She even looks like Cruela! I agree, best. villain. ever.
Pingback: Blog Post#12:Pixar « History of Animation
I agree with you that Cruella is a great villain and is fun to watch. Everytime, I watch this film, I discover myself, truly liking her more as a villain. I always enjoyed her as a villain, but I never really considered her the best of Disney’s gallery of villains. She was in my top ten, but after reading this post and rewatching the film, I might have to reconsider her as the best Disney villain. Thank you for posting this up! I really, enjoyed it!
Yes, Cruela Devil is one of the best Disney villains of all time. If it wasn’t for Cruela, this movie wouldn’t be entertaining to watch. Yes, the dogs are cute, but Cruela brings suspense and anxiety to the viewers; who are wonder what she is going to next–especially when she is denied ownership of the puppies. Great Post
Pingback: Blog Specimen #2 « Animation Blog