The Disney family film Cheetah, released into theaters on this day in 1989, may feature only one prominent actor, Kevin Coogan from Adventures in Babysitting, but this little gem of a movie earns stripes for its simplicity and charm. It tells the story of two California teenagers spending their summer in Kenya with their parents, under strict dictate not to stray far from the house the family has rented in an urban environment. Receptive to the joys that Africa offers, Ted (Coogan) and Sarah (Lucy Deakins) give in to their youthful exuberance and decide to explore some of the African splendor surrounding them. They meet a local tribesboy, Morogo, who helps introduce them to the continent’s epic grandeur. While out exploring, the three youngsters come across an orphaned young cheetah whose mother has been struck down by poachers. Ted and Sarah convince their reluctant parents to let them adopt the cheetah and give their new friend the name Duma. But just when it comes time for Ted and Sarah to return to California—and let Duma return to the wild—the cat is captured by a local merchant, who wants to race the cat against greyhounds. And Ted and Susan disobey their parents and set out to rescue their feline friend with Morogo’s help.
