Artie

**“**Some abuse and insults, of course, but I like to say that ‘normal’ is the cruelest insult of them all. And at least I never get that.**“**

―Artie to Cruella De Vil about the reception of his fashion

**Arthur "Artie"** is a character in the *101 Dalmatians* live-action spin-off, *Cruella*, played by John McCrea. He is the owner of a vintage clothing store who admires Estella--or Cruella's sense of fashion.

## Appearances

### Cruella

Artie is the owner of a small vintage fashion clothing store called *2nd Time Around*, who immediately takes a liking to Estella Miller when she enters his shop. She comments on his flamboyant fashion sense which includes sheer tops, lightning bolt makeup, and bold pieces, to which he admits that while he does get insults, the biggest one of all would be normal - which he never gets.

Due to his own love of fashion, as well as his interest in causing an uproar, Estella, now known as Cruella, offers him the chance to design and create a line of clothes to help overshadow Baroness Von Hellman's own clothing line. He graciously accepts and moves into the home she shares with Jasper and Horace. When Cruella is believed to have been killed, Artie mourns her loss by looking at a newspaper. He is delighted when she returns to his store in disguise to ask for his help in one final scheme against Baroness.

He's fine with helping her as long as he doesn't have to die, which is a concern of his. He asks if she really killed the Dalmatians to turn them into coats, as the media speculates, but Cruella admits that she didn't, though she likes that everyone thinks she did. He helps Jasper and Horace create "Cruella" wigs for Baroness's guests and directs guests outside so they can witness Baroness "kill" Estella. Once Baroness is arrested, Artie moves into Hell Hall alongside Cruella, Jasper, Horace, and their dogs.

## Character background

Artie is Disney's first confirmed gay character. Aside of his appearance being inspired by David Bowie, Artie is based of the British musical “Everybody's talking about Jamie”, where his actor (John McCrea) plays the lead role. The musical was inspired by a famous drag queen Jamie Campbell and his story how he became a drag queen at 16 and dreamed of attending prom in a dress. A deleted reference for the musical was supposed to be Artie being a drag queen. Either way we still got a few easter eggs for the show hidden in the movie, for example Artieʼs introduction,“I'm Artie or Art, as in work of”, is a clear reference for the song Work of art. We also can assume that the dress in the window of 2nd time around, that later was worn by Cruella at the Baronessʼs black and white ball, being red isn't a coincidence but could be referring to Loco Channelleʼs “blood red dress”.

## Physical appearance

He has blonde hair with a 70s shag haircut. His makeup pretty much is inspired by David Bowie. He has blue eyes and a slightly strong jawline. In the shop he wears conspicuous and extravagant blouses, a golden watch and a ring on his forefinger on his left hand and a ring on his little finger. His nails are painted red. Entering Cruellaʼs apartment and later the mansion, he's seen wearing a black hat. At Cruellaʼs fashion show, where he performed the song “I wanna be your dog” by The Stooges, he wears a black coat with white and red words (sadly unrecognizable) and has his hair pinned up with safety pins. His makeup is a mask made with black eyeshadow and red rhinestones with a matching black lipstick. At the Baronessʼs party, where the final revenge took place, he's wearing a black suit and his typical makeup.

## Representation

Artie is Disney's first gay character, yet sadly not very visible in the movie nor by the audience. There are no actual scenes where Artie would flirt with a guy, nor does he or someone else mention him having a boyfriend or being into men. Aside of his actor being openly gay and his connection with Everybody's talking about Jamie and David Bowie, next to his stereotypically gay behavior he has nothing truly gay (romantically or sexually) about his character.

It's quite possible that this issue has to do with the fact that Disney still isn't brave enough to face criticism and other hate from homophobic and conservative side of audience as we can clearly see on the movie posters and official social media of the movie, where Artie hasn't any appearances. This truly is something, we all kindly ask Disney to work on.