THIS DAY IN DISNEY
July 2, 1986
The Great Mouse Detective is Released
Do you know which film was released on this day in 1986? Here's a clue: It was based on the book "Basil of Basil[sic] Street" by Eve Titus, telling the tale of a super-intelligent sleuth who, along with his friend and sidekick Dr. Dawson, must match wits with the greatest criminal mind in the world, Professor Ratigan. If you haven't guessed, the film is The Great Mouse Detective, and some of the finest talents in Hollywood contributed to this comic caper that was more than four years in the making, including Hollywood legend Vincent Price — no stranger to portraying evil characters. He provided the voice of Ratigan but in a departure from his typical roles, he also sang. The song was written by Academy Award®-winner Henry Mancini, who also composed the music for the film. A skilled and highly sought-after composer who wrote the music for the classic Pink Panther cartoon shorts, this was nevertheless the first time he wrote the score for an animated feature.