Well, it worked for Gay Purr-ee (1962): the first cartoon feature made for 7-year-olds with recherché tastes. “Vive La Fun!.. Vive La Joy!.. Vive La Judy!”
The Jungle Book owed nothing to Kipling’s original except a few names, and used several characters shamefully, most notably Kaa and Hathi, but much is forgiven on account of the marvellous songs. 