Cats Don't Dance (1997) Story by: Mark Dindal, Robert Lence, Brian McEntee, Rick Calabash, David Womersley, Kelvin Yasuda Screenplay: Roberts Gannaway, Cliff Ruby, Elana Lesser, Theresa Cullen Additional screenplay material Cinco Paul Set in Hollywood in its hey-day, mid-western country cat Danny arrives to seek his big break in the movies. What he discovers is a studio system where animal actors can never be stars--only bit players. This scene takes place after a disastrous first meeting between Danny and Sawyer (another cat who hoped for fame but now languishes in cynicism over the way things work). In his effort to re-spark Sawyer's passion for acting and dancing, he challenges her to a dancing duel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oi6pyeYK5c DANNY Hey, Sawyer, dance with me? I hear you're a natural. SAWYER Who told you that? (Woolie Mammoth trumpets.) SAWYER (CONT'D) Listen, Danny, it's a waste of time. You're never gonna get to dance in the movies. DANNY Movies? Did I say movies? No, we're just having fun. SAWYER (Turning away) Yeah, sure. Forget it. (As Sawyer leaves, Tillie bumps her back into the alley, into the spotlight.) DARLA Just look at those fools. Laughable, isn't it, Max? Max? (She notices Max moving to the music.) DARLA (CONT'D) MAX! (Caught unprepared, Sawyer goes with the moment and begins to dance. Danny floats past.) DANNY Not bad. A little rusty, but, hey, who's perfect? SAWYER Rusty? (She knocks Danny from a ladder into a pile of old clothes.) SAWYER (CONT'D) I'll give you "rusty." (Danny and Sawyer go through a dance competition. At the end, Sawyer realizes she's been suckered in and walks away.) SAWYER Like I said, dancing's a waste of time. DANNY What if I could get you an audition with L. B. Mammoth? SAWYER L. B. Mammoth? Head of Mammoth Studios? DARLA What? DANNY I know he'd appreciate real talent. CRANSTON After nothing but Darla, he's got to be starving for it. SAWYER You're dreaming, Danny. DANNY Maybe I am. But so were you, just a few minutes ago. Dialog on Dialog The competition here is used to rebuild the relationship between Sawyer and Danny. Danny tries to use a friendly competition to draw Sawyer out of her cynicism. When even dancing doesn't seem to break Sawyer's shell, Danny drops a bombshell in his final line. Trivia Director Mark Dindal uses an interesting stylistic nuance in this sequence. Staged in a dingy alley, all the characters begin in shadow with dull colors. As their attitudes improve, their character colors brighten. Note particularly how Sawyer brightens and then dims while she's typing in her office, and again at the end after Danny points out how much she enjoyed dancing. If the dance style in this scene looks familiar, it should. Gene Kelly was choreography consultant for this movie. This was his final film work before his death.

Kingsman: The Secret Service When confronted with a rabid group of religious fanatics, Colin Firth's character doesn't debate them or tell them off. He politely explains his embarrassment at inconveniencing them with his presence and details his made-up unwelcome traits. The audience I saw the movie with broke out in applause! I won't give the line here. It's an experience that shouldn't be spoiled.