Tramp


Tramp is the hero of Lady and the Tramp (1955).

Tramp is the rascally cad who lives on the "other" side of the tracks. Street-smart, cocky, but undeniably charming, Tramp is a sort of antihero, free from responsibility and worries. He lives day to day, scrounging at the back doors of local restaurants and ducking the dogcatcher (for whom Tramp is a notorious and elusive quarry). Wandering through a posh Victorian neighborhood one afternoon, he overhears a domestic group of dogs discussing the plight of one of them, a delicate and sophisticated cocker spaniel. Lady was curious when she heard that a "baby" was coming to her home, but when the baby finally arrives, Lady feels jilted when her owners' attention is diverted away from her. Tramp callously but playfully discourages Lady, telling her that when a baby moves in, the dog moves out. When Lady's owners go away for the weekend, and their prim and snooty Aunt Sarah comes to watch over the baby (along with her mischievous and malicious Siamese cats, Si and Am), she sees Lady as a nuisance and a menace, and has her muzzled. Lady escapes and is surprised to run into Tramp yet again, and this time he takes pity on the poor girl, rescues her from some troublesome curs, and takes her to the zoo where a helpful beaver frees her from the muzzle. They spend hours together, and realize they have feelings for each other (aided by a certain famous dinner of spaghetti and meatballs). When Tramp persuades her to live a little and hassle some chickens in a coop, he's horrified to realize she's been caught by the dogcatcher and taken to the pound. The misunderstanding is soon cleared up, but when Tramp goes to visit her at her home, she is disillusioned, humiliated and angry at Tramp, because of the things she heard in the pound about his many romantic conquests and his questionable feelings for her. Tramp insists that he was concerned about her and is sorry that she was captured, but she demands to be left alone. Tramp complies, but stays nearby, and when Lady begins barking at something in the house, she tells him that there's a large and vicious rat going into the baby's room. Tramp intercepts the rodent, but Lady is confined to the cellar when Aunt Sarah misunderstands her behavior. When Lady's owners return, the issue is resolved, and Tramp finally settles down to live in domestic bliss with Lady and their children.

Tramp is voiced by Larry Roberts (apparently, his only acting credit ever!) and by Jeff Bennett in the sequel.

Tramp is featured in Lady and the Tramp, as well as in Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure.


Tramp falls for the high-bred, sweet cocker spaniel, Lady.
Tramp's constant threat is the dogcatcher, and the doom that awaits the stray if he gets caught. More specifically, and on a more psychological level, Tramp's nemesis is his position and social status as, well, a tramp, which causes problems for his relationship as well as his integrity.
How do I feel about the rascal?

Tramp is the classic rogue, and, classically, he is tamed by a lady, as only a lady can. It's a touching and fun little device in and of itself, but it's also fun to watch Tramp as his regard for Lady changes from playful contempt to sincere concern. This is one of those films I grew up watching, and I really have warm feelings toward it. It's romantic, frightening, playful, and fun. Lady and Tramp are excellent contrasting characters, and their relationship is fun to watch develop. Beautifully animated, a sweet message, a good story, memorable, classic music, this film, based on a novel of the same name, has just about everything we expect from classic Disney.



Pictures of Tramp


Quotes from the Tramp

Lady: What's a baby?
Jock: Well, they... they resemble humans.
Trusty: But I'd say a mite smaller.
Jock: Aye, and they walk on all fours.
Trusty: And if I remember correctly... they beller a lot.
Jock: And they're very expensive. You'll not be permitted to play with it.
Trusty: But they're mighty sweet.
Jock: And very very soft.
Tramp: Just a cute little bundle... of trouble!

(after being chased into the rich end of town)
Tramp: Well! Snob Hill.


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