On this day, January the 25th, in the year of 1961, the movie One Hundred and One Dalmatians (also known as 101 Dalmatians), a Walt Disney production which centers around villain Cruella De Vil kidnapping dalmatian puppies, debuted in the United States.

Based on the 1956 book The Hundred and One Dalmatians, after Cruella De Vil failed to purchase fifteen dalmatians, she had them kidnapped, only for their parents to rescue them.

The film spawned multiple spin offs and rebooted versions such as 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure and 101 Dalmatians (1996) (Disney) (Britannica).

To read more daily facts and tidbits and about releases and debuts, see the Barron Perspectives “On this Day Archives” webpage and articles such as “(A Charlie Brown Christmas) On This Day – December 9th” and “On This Day – October 2nd “The Twilight Zone”.