Lady and the Tramp

Joe: Here's your bones, Tony.
Tony: Okay, bones. Bones? What's the matter with you, Joe? I break-a your face! Tonight, Butch, he gets the best in the house!
Joe: Okay, Tony! You the boss.
Tony: [Showing Tramp the menu] Now, tell me, what's your pleasure? A la carte? Dinner? [Tramp barks something like "Spaghetti"]
Tony: A-ha, okay. Hey, Joe! Butch-a, he says he wants-a two spaghetti speciale. Heavy on the meats-a ball.
Joe: Tony, dogs don't talk.
Tony: He's a-talkin' to me!
Joe: Okay, he's a-talkin' to you! You the boss! Mamma mia.

A tale of romance between a society cocker spaniel and a street dog, Lady and the Tramp has endeared viewers for half a century. While the story's setting may seem quaint and the plot outdated, the film has an enduring charm and features a collection of songs that have become standards, including "He's a Tramp" and "Bella Notte." Indeed, Peggy Lee's rendition of "He's a Tramp" is often emulated but never equaled.

The movie also features a memorable dinner scene: For their first "date," Tramp takes Lady to Tonys Restaurant, where he is known as Butch. Because he is one of Tony's favorite "customers," Tramp is allowed to treat Lady to a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. As Tony and Joe serenade the couple, Tramp and Lady begin eating the same strand of spaghetti, slurping it up until they both reach the middle and unexpectedly kiss. Lady turns away shyly, but Tramp nuzzles the last meatball over to her side of the plate. Once again, food serves romance.

Released June 22, 1955
Written by Ward Greene, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Ralph Wright, Don DaGradi, and Joe Grant
Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske

Starring Peggy Lee as Darling/Si/Am/Peg, Barbara Luddy as Lady, Larry Roberts as Tramp, Bill Thompson as Jock/Dachsie/Joe, Bill Baucom as Trusty, George Givot as Tony, Lee Millar as Jim Dear, Verna Felton as Aunt Sarah, Alan Reed as Boris

Songs: "He's a Tramp" by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee, performed by Peggy Lee; "The Siamese Cat Song" by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee, performed by Peggy Lee; "Bella Notte (This Is the Night)" by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee, performed by George Givot and studio chorus

Awards: 1956 David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Production