Could Fantastic Beasts be Doctor Dolittle with a Wand?
As soon as the first pictures of the movie Newt Scamander were released, people started remarking that he looked like a wizard version of Doctor Who. However, I was instantly reminded of another Doctor: Doctor John Dolittle, of Hugh Lofting’s classic children’s series. Please note that I am talking about the *real* Doctor Dolittle of the books, not Eddie Murphy (his films 
have nothing in common with the books other than the name and the fact he can talk to animals and will *not* be further discussed here!) or even the Rex Harrison version–though his 1967 movie musical included elements from several of the 12-book series, the handsome, singing and romantic lead Harrison bore little resemblance to the mild-mannered, portly and completely asexual John Dolittle of the books. Though Newt is younger, slimmer and has more hair and less hat than Dolittle, the coat and vest, as well as the mannerisms and demeanor in the trailer (“It was open?” “…Just a smidge.”) evoked my mental picture of Doctor Dolittle… just a smidge.
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