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"Everybody wants to be a cat. Because a cat's the only cat, who knows where it's at." - Scat Cat
This outstanding original production cel from Walt Disney’s The Aristocats (1970) captures a delightful moment during the film’s showstopping musical number, “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat,” featuring two of the film’s most beloved feline characters: Thomas O’Malley and Scat Cat. Seated together atop a colorful ottoman in a rustic attic setting, the two alley cats appear completely at home in their musical surroundings. Scat Cat, distinguished by his gray fur and signature red bow tie, tips his hat with a theatrical flourish, while the orange-and-white O’Malley grins broadly beside him, his relaxed posture and playful expression reflecting the carefree spirit that makes him such an appealing character. The full-figure presentation of both characters, combined with their expressive poses and the richly detailed background, makes this a particularly attractive image from one of Disney’s most memorable animated musical sequences.
Released in theaters on December 11, 1970, The Aristocats was produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. It holds a special place in Disney animation history as the last animated feature project approved by Walt Disney himself before his death in December 1966. The film follows Duchess, an elegant mother cat, and her three kittens—Berlioz, Marie, and Toulouse—who stand to inherit the fortune of their wealthy Parisian owner. When the household butler, Edgar, discovers that the cats are the intended beneficiaries, he plots to eliminate them from the picture by abandoning them in the countryside. Their unexpected journey home introduces them to Thomas O’Malley, a charismatic alley cat whose streetwise resourcefulness, generous heart, and love of adventure prove invaluable. The film features an accomplished voice cast that includes Eva Gabor, Hermione Baddeley, Phil Harris, Dean Clark, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers, and Roddy Maude-Roxby.
Thomas O’Malley, whose full name is Abraham DeLacey Giuseppe Casey Thomas O’Malley, is one of Disney’s most appealing roguish heroes. Animated by the legendary Disney artists Ollie Johnston and Milt Kahl, O’Malley combines a wonderfully loose, expressive physical style with an easygoing personality and a natural gift for comedy. His memorable voice was provided by Phil Harris, the American singer, songwriter, jazz musician, actor, and comedian whose relaxed delivery gave the character his distinctive charm. Harris had already established an enduring place in Disney animation as Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book (1967), and he would later voice Little John in Robin Hood (1973). In all three roles, Harris brought a similar blend of warmth, humor, musicality, and irrepressible confidence. O’Malley’s carefree philosophy is perfectly suited to the film’s central musical celebration, where friendship, individuality, and the pleasures of living in the moment take center stage.
Scat Cat has a particularly interesting history. The character was originally conceived as Satchmo Cat, with the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong intended to provide his voice. Unfortunately, Armstrong became ill and could not participate, and Scatman Crothers was brought in as his replacement. The character was renamed Scat Cat, and the musical number was developed around his personality and performance. Nevertheless, a delightful connection to the original concept remains: Scat Cat still plays the trumpet, Armstrong’s celebrated instrument. Crothers brought his own distinctive musical energy to the role, creating a charismatic bandleader whose enthusiasm and playful showmanship make him a natural centerpiece of the film’s jazz sequence.
The song “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat,” written by Al Rinker and Floyd Huddleston, is the final major musical number in The Aristocats and arguably its most enduring musical highlight. Performed by Scatman Crothers as Scat Cat, Phil Harris as Thomas O’Malley, Thurl Ravenscroft as Bill Boss, Robie Lester as Duchess, and Liz English as Marie, the sequence celebrates the freedom and exuberance associated with the jazz-loving alley cats. Paul Winchell also performed the original part of Shun Gon, the Chinese cat, whose character and musical passages have subsequently drawn criticism for stereotypical racial portrayals. The sequence remains a fascinating example of Disney’s use of music to establish character, atmosphere, and a sense of community, while also reflecting changing cultural attitudes toward animated entertainment.
What makes this particular cel especially desirable is the combination of two full-figure character images from the film’s signature musical sequence. Both O’Malley and Scat Cat are clearly recognizable, and their expressions convey the infectious enthusiasm of the performance. Scat Cat’s raised hat adds a theatrical touch, while O’Malley’s broad grin and relaxed stance capture his easygoing personality. The colorful ottoman, weathered wooden walls, and surrounding attic furnishings provide a wonderful sense of setting, complementing the warm palette of the characters. Rather than presenting a simple portrait, the cel captures the two cats interacting in a specific moment, giving the artwork a sense of narrative and movement.
For collectors of original Disney animation art, this is a particularly compelling image from The Aristocats. Both characters are central to the film’s musical identity, and the pairing of O’Malley and Scat Cat connects two of its most charismatic feline personalities. The artwork also represents an important period in Disney history, following Walt Disney’s death and the studio’s transition into a new era of animated filmmaking. With its appealing character expressions, complete figures, attractive composition, and association with the unforgettable “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” sequence, this cel would make a standout addition to a serious Disney animation art collection.
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