Spotted shopping fever: Dalmatian merchandise no dog in stores

Lisa Ferguson

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Have yourself a spotted little Christmas.

Of course, you may not have a choice, given the blizzard of Disney's "101 Dalmatians" merchandise that's already blanketed the malls.

Clocks, slippers and bath towels. Sneakers, turtlenecks and boxer shorts. Picture frames, doormats and even musical toothbrushes.

You name it, it's spotted!

"This is our most extensive film licensing program we've done to date," says Melissa Segal of Disney's marketing division.

The movie is what's known in the industry as an "evergreen," she says. "It's a proven equity and a classic property that's been around for a long time, so there is a built-in audience with kids and adults."

And canines, apparently. Disney has also introduced a line of "Dalmatian" pet products, including collar-and-leash sets ($38-40), a dog biscuit tin ($10) and a comfy 38-inch cushion ($98).

But it's still the human kind making up the business at Entertaining Images in the Galleria Mall at Sunset.

The store began carrying "101 Dalmatians" items -- mostly collectible pieces, animation art and other various trinkets -- about eight weeks ago.

"I'd say the younger kids seem to be collecting the figures of Cruella De Vil and the Dalmatians, whereas the adults are buying more of the collector sets," says Manager Neil Cantor. "I think it's going to be an easy sell."

One of the store's vendors, Applause Inc., is famous for its plush toys. The company has devoted an expansive line -- from novelty straws to a $25 barking hand puppet -- to the pups.

"The Dalmatians are very popular and we expect them to be big, if not bigger, than 'The Lion King"' line of recent years, says Adam Zalensy, an Applause territory manager who services stores in Las Vegas.

And sales are definitely surpassing those of Disney's last release, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," earlier this summer.

"Hunchback started out pretty wild and then it kind of slowed down after the movie came out," recalls Jack Woder, a "team leader" at the Target store on Tenaya Way. They're "selling the heck out of" Dalmatians merchandise, though.

Cantor predicts sales will stay steady through at least December '97.

What helps, he says, is that the merchandise has been fashioned to look like the original "Dalmatian" cartoon characters, not the actors -- including Glenn Close, who stars as Cruella.

That was the strategy used for merchandise from "The Flintstones" movie a few years back. "A lot of people were not into it," Cantor says.

But Disney knew better.

"Without trying to criticize anyone else's efforts," Segal says, "we've learned that it's difficult to translate live-action into products, and that people really seem to gravitate towards the more classic animation. It just translates into better products."

In some cases, bizarre products.

For example, you can own an eerily lifelike Dalmatian fur coat (faux, of course). The spotted, fluffy wrap is fully lined and features a tuxedo shawl collar. (The Disney Catalog, $198.)

Or how about a jeweled Dalmatian evening bag, featuring a pretty puppy face offset by hundreds of handset European crystals? (Price tag: $1,000.)

Last but not least, meet Wettin' Wizzer, the Dalmatian that drinks water from a bowl and does his business on a newspaper ($29.99 at Kaybee Toys).

Hey, at least he's housebroken!