 The episode is inspired by Dodie Smith 's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians and Walt Disney Pictures ' 1961 animated film adaptation One Hundred and One Dalmatians . The producers decided to have Mr. Burns communicate his horrific plan of making a tuxedo from the puppies through a song after determining that it would be a " fun and light " way to convey his plan of killing the greyhounds . " Two Dozen and One Greyhounds " received a generally positive reception from television critics . During the week of its original American broadcast , the episode finished 55th in ratings , with a Nielsen rating of 7 @.@ 3 . Several reviews considered the episode to be one of their favorites of the series , and especially praised Mr. Burns ' appearances . 
