Cruella 101 Dalmatians - A Character Unpacked

When you think about classic animated villains, a certain figure often comes to mind, a lady with a rather striking appearance and a very particular taste in fashion. This character, so, is a true standout in the world of animated stories, especially for those who grew up with tales of spotted puppies and a very determined dog catcher. She truly makes an impression, doesn't she? We're talking, of course, about the one and only Cruella De Vil, a name that just sort of rolls off the tongue with a hint of mischievous delight. Her presence in the tale of "101 Dalmatians" is, to put it mildly, quite memorable.

This tale, which many people know and love, first came to life in a book before making its big screen debut as an animated film. The story introduces us to a person who, well, really loves certain types of animal coverings, perhaps a little too much for comfort. Her desires, you see, lead her down a path that causes a great deal of trouble for a family of adorable, spotted canine friends. It's a classic good versus bad situation, where one side wants to protect, and the other has some rather unusual plans.

The character of Cruella, in some respects, has been around for a long while, making her first appearance in a story written by Dodie Smith. She then moved into the animated feature film that so many people remember from 1961. Over the years, this figure has appeared in different forms, including live-action movies and even a more recent animated series. Each time, she brings her unique brand of, let's say, intense ambition to the screen, always with those poor spotted creatures in mind. It's quite a thing to see, how she keeps coming back.

Table of Contents

Who is Cruella De Vil - A Brief Look at Her Character

Cruella De Vil, you know, is the main trouble-maker, the chief bad person, in Disney's much-loved 1961 animated picture, "101 Dalmatians." She also plays this part in its follow-up, which went straight to home viewing. People have, in some respects, seen her as a very wicked sort of woman, someone almost like a sorceress or a truly unpleasant person. Her strong liking for animal hides, for making things out of fur, pushes her to a point where she might do some truly terrible, very harmful things. She acts in ways that are just plain wrong, honestly, to get what she wants, to make herself happy in this very specific way. She is, to put it simply, the evil lady from that 1961 cartoon, "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," and her voice was provided by the wonderful Betty Lou Gerson, who is no longer with us. This character, you see, first showed up in Dodie Smith's book from 1956, "The Hundred and One Dalmatians." She's a made-up person, a fictional character, in that book. She's described as a wealthy person living in London, someone who gets everything she wants, and she works as a designer of clothes. She then appeared in the animated film from Walt Disney Productions in 1961, with that distinct voice.

Character Details

Full NameCruella De Vil
Primary RoleMain Trouble-maker / Opponent
First Appearance (Book)Dodie Smith's 1956 Novel, "The Hundred and One Dalmatians"
First Appearance (Film)Walt Disney Productions' 1961 Animated Feature, "One Hundred and One Dalmatians"
Voice in 1961 FilmBetty Lou Gerson (passed away)
Key CharacteristicStrong liking for animal hides / Furs
Primary GoalTo get Dalmatian furs for her clothing creations

What Drives Cruella's Obsession with Furs?

So, what exactly makes Cruella De Vil so, well, set on getting those furs? It's a deep, deep liking, almost a consuming desire, that seems to push her every move. The text says her "infatuation with furs drives her to murderous insanity," which is a pretty strong way to put it, isn't it? This means her intense liking for these animal coverings leads her to a state where she can't think straight and might do truly terrible things. She will do acts that are just not right, morally speaking, just to get what she wants. It's like she has a single-minded goal, and nothing else matters. This desire is so strong that it makes her the sort of person who would go after a whole group of little spotted dogs, just to get their coats for her own personal collection of clothing items. It's a rather chilling thought, honestly, how far someone might go for something like that. She really, really wants those specific materials, you know, for her fashion creations.

Cruella Across the Years - From Page to Screen

The character of Cruella De Vil, you see, hasn't just stayed in one place. She first appeared in a storybook, then made the jump to the big screen as an animated figure. After that, she even came to life in a movie with real people, which is quite a step. The original 1961 animated film, "101 Dalmatians," really brought her to a wider group of people. Then, she showed up again in a live-action film in 1996, which was a different way to see her. She also appeared in a direct-to-video follow-up to the animated movie, called "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure," which came out in 2003. It's pretty clear that she's a character with a lot of staying power, popping up in different stories and different ways of telling those stories. She's even part of a more recent series, "101 Dalmatian Street," which shows her continued presence in the world of these particular spotted creatures. It's almost like she just keeps finding new ways to cause trouble, which is, in a way, her special talent.

How Did Cruella De Vil Change in Live-Action?

When Cruella De Vil appeared in the 1996 live-action film, things were a little different for her. She was played by Glenn Close, who is a very well-known performer, as a matter of fact. This version of Cruella was, in some respects, reimagined. Instead of just being an old schoolmate, Anita Dearly, who works with her, is actually one of her employees. It's also hinted that Anita might be her very best designer, which adds a new layer to their connection. This film sort of gave Cruella a fresh look, making her into a person who holds grudges, who acts like she's better than everyone else, and who is very fancy, a big boss of a high-end clothing business called "House of De Vil." This business, you know, really focused on clothes made from animal hides. The movie starts with her arriving in her fancy car, and a driver opens the door for her and says hello. It's a pretty grand entrance, which really sets the tone for her character in that particular story. She's a very striking figure, that's for sure.

What About the Emma Stone Cruella Story?

The more recent film, "Cruella," which stars Emma Stone, shows us a few key differences from the way the character was presented in the original "101 Dalmatians" story. This movie, you see, gives us a look at her earlier life, how she became the person we know. It's a bit of an origin tale, in a way. The text tells us that this version of Cruella, after getting a lot of money from someone called the Baroness and changing the name of a big house to "Hell Hall," is seen getting ready to start her very own clothing company. She's also working on making her influence bigger in the world of fashion. This film, you know, even gives a little nod to "101 Dalmatians" very early on, almost as soon as it begins. As Cruella walks through the halls of her new learning place, she bumps into a couple of people who are not very nice to her. It's a different kind of story, really, showing how she might have gotten to be the way she is, which is, honestly, quite interesting.

Cruella's Fashion World - The House of De Vil

Cruella De Vil, it's clear, has a strong connection to the world of fashion. She's not just someone who likes clothes; she's a designer, a creator, and the head of her very own clothing business. This business, you know, is called "House of De Vil," and it's located in London. Her interest in animal hides, particularly those of Dalmatians, is what really sets her apart and, frankly, causes a lot of trouble. The text mentions that it's shown that, besides making clothing from animals that are sold, she... (the sentence trails off in the original, but the meaning is clear). She finds the idea of making clothing items from actual Dalmatians to be quite interesting, and she even thinks it's a bit funny. Her ultimate goal, you see, is to use the furs of these spotted dogs for her very own clothing line. This is what drives her to chase after them, to try and get them. It's all about her business, her brand, and her very unusual taste in materials. She's very dedicated to her craft, even if her methods are, shall we say, quite out of the ordinary.

Who is Anita Dearly to Cruella 101 Dalmatians?

The relationship between Cruella and Anita Dearly is, in some respects, a key part of the story, especially in the live-action versions. In the 1996 film, Anita Dearly is not an old friend from school, but rather someone who works for Cruella. The text tells us she's "one of her employees and, as it is implied, her best designer." This means Anita is a very talented person who helps Cruella with her clothing creations. It's a working relationship, but with a twist, because Anita is also connected to the spotted dogs that Cruella wants so badly. This makes things a bit more personal, doesn't it? Anita is shown to be a very important part of Cruella's fashion team, perhaps even the most important, given her skill. This connection adds a certain kind of tension to the story, as Anita finds herself caught between her boss's strange desires and her love for her own animals. It's a rather complicated situation, to be honest.

The Original 101 Dalmatians - The Movie Details

The animated film "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," the one from 1961, is a true classic. It was brought to the screen by a team of talented people who directed it: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, and Wolfgang Reitherman. These individuals helped shape the look and feel of the story that so many people have come to adore. The voices in the film, you know, were provided by some wonderful performers, including Pat O'Malley, Betty Lou Gerson (who, as we mentioned, voiced Cruella), and Martha Wentworth. This movie is where many people first met Cruella De Vil and her wild plans. The story kicks off when a group of Dalmatian puppies are, well, taken. It's a very exciting and, at times, a bit scary tale for younger viewers. If you want to watch it now, you can stream "101 Dalmatians" on Disney+, which is pretty convenient, actually. The live-action movie, "101 Dalmatians," was released on November 27, 1996, bringing the story to a new generation with real people and real dogs. It's a pretty enduring story, all things considered.

Cruella (2021) - Posters — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Cruella (2021) - Posters — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Cruella (2021) - AZ Movies

Cruella (2021) - AZ Movies

‘Cruella’ Review: A Disney Villain Gets a Backstory. It’s Spotty. - The

‘Cruella’ Review: A Disney Villain Gets a Backstory. It’s Spotty. - The

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