The Great Mouse Detective: Ron Clements and John Musker’s Dark, Forgotten Disney Classic

by

The studio excels as the monarch of animation, captivating audiences with breathtaking productions such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog (set in New Orleans, reimagining the classic “Frog Prince” tale), Moana (a box office revival for Disney following a series of failures), and all these movies share a common thread – they were helmed by the dynamic duo of Ron Clements and John Musker.

Among the exceptionally gifted creators at Disney, none have arguably impacted the studio as significantly as Ron Clements and John Musker. Their work is widely recognized, yet there’s one production that has garnered less attention: a strikingly dark film that draws inspiration from iconic characters. This project also marked their directorial debut. The obscure masterpiece in question is the 1986 release, The Great Mouse Detective. Thirty-nine years have passed since its premiere, and this timeless classic continues to enthrall audiences. It’s a must-see for any Disney enthusiast!

The Great Mouse Detective Is an Animated Rendition of Sherlock Holmes

Any discussion about overlooked Disney movies wouldn’t be whole without bringing up “The Great Mouse Detective.” The film centers around a clever young mouse named Olivia Flaversham, whose father is abducted by an evil bat sidekick of the notorious Professor Ratigan (brilliantly voiced by the late Vincent Price). The villainous Professor Ratigan intends to construct a mechanical replica of the queen to usurp power. In her quest to find her lost father, Olivia enlists the help of Basil of Baker Street, a renowned detective, and his associates: David Q. Dawson and a massive Bassett Hound named Toby.

The Great Mouse Detective stands out as an unusually ominous and frightening Disney animated film, possibly due to its low profile. Fidget, the sinister bat, always cuts an intimidating figure when he’s lurking in the shadows. Professor Ratigan exhibits a chilling level of cruelty in his scheme to deceive the queen by constructing a rudimentary robot. Basil and Dawson visit a disreputable tavern on the docks, known as the Rat Trap, to pursue a clue. However, while surveying the patrons, they find themselves unwittingly witnessing an overtly seductive performance by one of the female performers—an unexpected moment reminiscent of Jessica Rabbit that seems highly inappropriate for a G-rated movie.

In The Great Mouse Detective, the movie’s plot unfolds with a style reminiscent of a film noir or detective mystery akin to Sherlock Holmes. Both mature and younger viewers will find themselves intrigued by its plot twists, and overall, this family-friendly film is sure to appeal to audiences of all ages.

In the animated movie “The Great Mouse Detective,” you’ll find a complex plotline and vivid graphics. It delves into more mature subjects that will captivate viewers who appreciate darker elements in other Disney productions like “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” or “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
As for the villain, Professor Ratigan stands out as one of the most captivating antagonists ever created. He’s a towering sewer rat who dislikes being called a rodent. Initially, he was designed to appear skinny and weasel-like. However, after directors Ron Clements and John Musker made an astute decision by hiring Vincent Price as the voice actor, one of the artists, Glen Keane, revised the character’s design.

According to Keane:

Initially, I began sketching a giant rat character, which turned out perfectly. Subsequently, we invited Vincent Price to join us, and we pursued a concept centered around this character.

In his twilight years, aged 75, the accomplished actor had reached the end of his illustrious acting career, leaving behind a rich filmography featuring films like “House of Wax,” “The Abominable Dr. Phibes,” “The Masque of the Red Death,” and William Hill’s renowned horror film “House on Haunted Hill.” In his final role as Professor Ratigan in “The Inventor,” he displayed a unique blend of expressiveness and swagger that was unparalleled. It was astute to portray him as a formidable and intimidating character. He has since solidified his place among the most terrifying villains in Disney lore, standing alongside iconic characters such as Cruella De Vil, Scar, and Captain Hook.

One clever decision made by directors Ron Clements and John Musker for “The Great Mouse Detective” was choosing Vincent Price as a cast member. Although the film carries more mature themes, it still ranks among the best works in the duo’s portfolio. The action scenes are exhilarating, and the narrative is engaging.

One area in a toy store catches the eye for its charming appeal. The perspective here is from the mice’s point of view, making everything appear larger than usual. A jack-in-the-box looms ominously after Basil, Olivia, and Dawson as they scale a ladder and enter through an open window. As events unfold, the audience gets a bird’s eye view of these mice scampering across a chessboard, with the pieces appearing colossal due to the camera angle.

In “The Great Mouse Detective,” the writing and direction are powerfully effective, making viewers feel like they’re right alongside our mouse protagonists. Ron Clements and John Musker meticulously crafted this world from a mouse’s perspective, which greatly enhances the overall immersive experience.

Disney Was in Desperate Need of a Comeback When The Great Mouse Detective Was Released

The Great Mouse Detective served as an opportunity for debut directors Ron Clements and John Musker to demonstrate their skills. This venture came about following the poor performance of Ted Berman and Richard Rich’s The Black Cauldron at the box office in 1985, earning only $21.3 million despite a budget of $44 million. At that time, the dark fantasy film was a significant disappointment for Disney, as they had put considerable resources into what ultimately flopped. However, it has since gained cult status.

Fortunately, Ron Clements happened to be present at the right time. He had come across a children’s book titled “Basil of Baker’s Street” by Eve Titus and beautifully illustrated by Paul Galdone. He believed it had potential to become an excellent animated feature. Excited about his idea, he presented it to Disney who were eager for a film project that could help them regain their momentum in the industry.

In a remarkable turn of events, The Great Mouse Detective proved its mettle. This movie was warmly welcomed and critically acclaimed, earning high praise during its appearance on the television show At the Movies with Roger Ebert. Siskel, in his review for The Chicago Tribune, commended it as a film that traverses a broad emotional spectrum, leading viewers from moments of tender affection to chilling suspense, and from familiarity to awe.

To add to that, “The Great Mouse Detective” was a massive hit at the box office. Produced with a budget of just $14 million, it ultimately earned an impressive $50 million globally. The team of Ron Clements and John Musker demonstrated their dynamic partnership, which is why Disney continued to work with them on numerous projects in the years to come.

It Will Be Exciting to See What Comes Next for Ron Clements and John Musker

In an interview with Columbia College of Art & Design, John Musker revealed some insights into how he and Ron Clements rose to become Disney animation’s dream duo. As story contributors on the film The Black Cauldron, they found themselves in a unique position when the movie was struggling financially. No matter what ideas they proposed, the movie continued its downward spiral at the box office.

Following Ron Clements’ proposal for a film adaptation of “Basil of Baker Street,” things took off. Together with John Musker, he directed “The Great Mouse Detective” which garnered positive reviews and massive box office success. This confirmed to Disney that Clements and Musker possessed immense talent. Since then, the pair has continued to create animated masterpieces such as “Aladdin,” “Hercules,” “Treasure Planet,” “The Princess and the Frog,” and “Moana.

It’s evident that a failure might just be hiding the potential for success. After the success of “The Great Mouse Detective,” Ron Clements and John Musker established themselves as regular contributors to Disney animation. They later wrote and directed several of Disney’s most acclaimed films, becoming key figures in the studio’s history.

Read More

2025-04-22 07:06