Disney Archives


ady is the coddled cocker spaniel who, despite her best efforts, falls in love with a dog from the wrong side of the tracks. Raised in the lap of luxury, Lady is thoroughly faithful to her adoring "humans," Jim Dear and Darling, and knows little of the hostile world a dog can face beyond the privilege of the "collar and leash set." But when her owners are on vacation, she's muzzled by their Aunt Sarah and runs away, only to be cornered by a pack of wild street dogs. Out of nowhere, Tramp leaps to her defense, scattering them. The independent charmer sets about showing her that while there's danger in the "outside world," there's also life: a world of adventure where beavers can be conned into removing muzzles and dark alleys can become the site of a romantic dinner. Although she falls head over paws for the handsome mutt, she loves her humans as much as he loves his freedom. If only their two worlds could meet ...

Before voicing Lady, Barbara Luddy was a radio actress well known to audiences of the "First Nighter" radio program. She also voiced Merryweather in "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), Kanga in the "Winnie the Pooh " featurettes, and Mother Rabbit in "Robin Hood" (1973). Finally, Ms. Luddy had a single line role as the grandmother in the Carousel of Progress attraction shown at the 1964 World's Fair, at Disneyland® Park and later at the Magic Kingdom® in the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Legend has it that the film's opening sequence, in which Darling unwraps a hat box on Christmas to find a puppy inside, is based on an actual incident in Walt Disney's life. After he'd forgotten a dinner date with his wife, he offered her the puppy-in-the-hat-box surprise and was duly forgiven.

Film: "Lady and the Tramp" (1955)
Voice Artist: Barbara Luddy

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