Contents
Overview
The phrase 'what's new pussycat?' originated from a conversation between Charles K. Feldman, the producer of the 1965 film What's New Pussycat?, and Warren Beatty, who was initially considered for the lead role, with Beatty answering the phone to a girlfriend and saying 'what's up pussycat', as noted by Wikipedia, and later popularized by the film's star, Peter O'Toole, who called all women 'Pussycat' to avoid remembering their names, a tactic also used by characters in other films like Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, and TV shows like Friends, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman.
🎵 Cultural Impact
The film What's New Pussycat? was directed by Clive Donner, written by Woody Allen in his first produced screenplay, and starred Allen, Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider, Capucine, Paula Prentiss, and Ursula Andress, with the title song, sung by Tom Jones, becoming a huge hit, and the film's success influencing the careers of other comedians like Steve Martin, who has often cited Woody Allen as an inspiration, and Eddie Murphy, who has starred in numerous comedies, including Beverly Hills Cop, alongside Judge Reinhold and John Ashton.
👥 Legacy & Future
The cultural impact of What's New Pussycat? can be seen in its influence on future films and TV shows, such as the Austin Powers series, created by Mike Myers, which pays homage to the 1960s spy genre, and the TV show Mad Men, set in the 1960s, which features a character who often uses the phrase 'what's new pussycat?' to charm women, much like the character of Michael in the film, played by Peter O'Toole, and also references other cultural icons of the time, like The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
🤔 Trivia & Interesting Facts
Today, the phrase 'what's new pussycat?' remains a cultural reference point, often used humorously or ironically, and has been referenced in numerous films, TV shows, and songs, including a 2014 song by the band Tom Jones and the Roots, featuring a sample of the original song, and a 2020 episode of the TV show The Simpsons, which parodies the film's title sequence, created by Richard Williams, and also features a cameo by Elon Musk, who has often been referenced in popular culture, alongside other tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1965
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- culture
- Type
- phrase
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of the phrase 'what's new pussycat?'?
The phrase originated from a conversation between Charles K. Feldman and Warren Beatty, as noted by Wikipedia, and was later popularized by the film What's New Pussycat?, which was directed by Clive Donner and starred Peter O'Toole, Peter Sellers, and Woody Allen, with the title song sung by Tom Jones, and the film's success influencing the careers of other comedians like Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy.
What is the cultural significance of the film What's New Pussycat?
The film is a classic example of a screwball comedy, and its influence can be seen in numerous films and TV shows, including the Austin Powers series, created by Mike Myers, which pays homage to the 1960s spy genre, and the TV show Mad Men, set in the 1960s, which features a character who often uses the phrase 'what's new pussycat?' to charm women, much like the character of Michael in the film, played by Peter O'Toole, and also references other cultural icons of the time, like The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
How has the phrase 'what's new pussycat?' been used in popular culture?
The phrase has been referenced in numerous films, TV shows, and songs, including a 2014 song by the band Tom Jones and the Roots, featuring a sample of the original song, and a 2020 episode of the TV show The Simpsons, which parodies the film's title sequence, created by Richard Williams, and also features a cameo by Elon Musk, who has often been referenced in popular culture, alongside other tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.
What is the legacy of the film What's New Pussycat?
The film is considered a classic of the screwball comedy genre, and its influence can be seen in numerous films and TV shows, including the work of comedians like Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, who have often cited Woody Allen as an inspiration, and the film's success paving the way for future comedies like Airplane! and The Naked Gun, which also starred Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley.
How has the phrase 'what's new pussycat?' been used in music?
The phrase has been used in numerous songs, including the 2014 song by the band Tom Jones and the Roots, featuring a sample of the original song, and has also been referenced in songs by other artists, such as Bob Dylan and The Beatles, who have often been influenced by the cultural and musical trends of the 1960s, including the rise of folk rock and the British Invasion, which featured bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who.