Join the club if you too are just as shocked as we are that weโve had 53 years of the good Doctor Dolittle! Hereโs a quick look at the filmography since the first film in 1967.
1967: In the late 60s weโre introduced to Dr John Dolittle, anย Englishmanย from a tiny village in the United Kingdom, who specialises in caring for and verbally conversing with variousย Fauna. His strong connection to animals starts to see his practice with patients neglected and his newfound business in communicating with and helping animals lands him in a mental institute.
1998: 31 years after the first movie is released, Dr Dolittle comes back to our screens as an America surgeon, portrayed by comedian Eddie Murphy. His story begins with a minor accident that triggers childhood abilities to communicate with animals, making him question his sanity at first, but eventually remembers the extent of his gifts. Re-discovering this talent becomes chaotic when Dolittle find himself overwhelmed with animals that seek out his help, including an alcoholicย monkey, injured fowl, and aย severely depressedย tiger on the verge ofย suicide.
2001: Dr Dolittle 2 is released. Since becoming a celebrity, Dolittleโs workload increases as he travels the world, practising his skills. Returning home, he hosts a birthday party for his daughter Charisse's, and things get rather interesting when a group of animals approach him with a message from the Godbeaver. Upon meeting the leader of the animal mafia, Dolittle agrees to help the animals preserve their forest habitat from a large loggingย company.
2006: Maya Dolittle, the doctorโs youngest daughter, inherits her father's ability to talk to animals. As her new gift develops, she uses it as an assistant to a veterinarian but continues to find trouble in her pursuits. As expected, her friends start to wonder if she has gone crazy so her mother sends Maya to a summer camp so that she can get away for a while. There, she uses her ability to communicate with animals to save the ranch from being bought out by a neighbouring farm company.
2008: Maya Dolittle gains a reputation as the girl who can talk to animals. While John is away on expeditions to help animals, and Charisse is off at college, the U.S. president seeks the help of the Dolittles. Maya takes John's place and assists the White House with a matter of international importance.
2009: Maya Dolittle, who is to begin veterinary schooling, decides that she no longer needs to, given her abilities. When a celebrity named Tiffany Monaco discovers her helping animals, Maya ends up in Hollywood where a whole new adventure begins.
2020: Fast forward to 2020! After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr John Dolittle (now portrayed by Robert Downey Jr) famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoriaโs England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure.
It's been an exciting journey filled with laughs and adventure! What would you like to see in the next Dolittle movie?
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