The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton’s) (1894)

Edison Manufacturing Company Directed by: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise Synopsis: Two cats go paw to paw in a boxing ring in this very early Edison experimental film. Cinema Cats: Likely the first cat actors to ever appear on screen, the two cats “boxing” in this film were featured performers in Professor Welton’s vaudeville show, and the boxing […]

Allen Jenkins and His “Driving” Cat, Smiley

Allen Jenkins and His “Driving” Cat, Smiley

Film fans will undoubtedly remember the tough-guy comedic stylings of character actor Allen Jenkins, who appeared in countless films from the early 1930’s through the mid-1970’s.  Jenkins was also the voice of Officer Dibble, the perpetually above-board New York cop constantly being duped by the animated Top Cat and his gang.  But in 1948, Allen […]

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

Hal Wallis Productions Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Kirk Douglas, Lizabeth Scott Directed by: Lewis Milestone Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this movie! Synopsis: Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) is a ruthless woman who marries her meek childhood friend, Walter O’Neil (Kirk Douglas) who happens to have witnessed a violent act […]

Now You See It (1947)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Narrator: Pete Smith Directed by: Richard L. Cassell Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains minor spoilers for this short film! Synopsis: A Pete Smith Specialty, this short subject film explores the macro world by looking at tiny things such as a baby hummingbird, the workings of a watch and other insects and tiny […]

The Crooked Way (1949)

The Crooked Way (1949)

Directed by: Robert Florey Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: World War II veteran Eddie Rice (John Payne) suffers from amnesia and goes looking for his past, only to find he had ties with underworld criminals in Los Angeles. Featured Feline: The boss of the crime […]

Ring of Bright Water (1969)

The Rank Organization Starring: Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Peter Jeffrey Directed by: Jack Couffer Synopsis: Londoner Graham Merill (Bill Travers) is intrigued by an otter he sees in a pet shop window and he adopts the animal.  He soon realizes that a London apartment is not the ideal setting for his new pet, Mij, so he moves to […]

Murder! (1930)

British International Pictures Starring: Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock Synopsis: This early Hitchcock crime thriller begins with the murder of a young actress, supposedly at the hands of a fellow young actress (Norah Baring) with whom she was known to quarrel and who is found sitting next to the body with a bloody poker at […]

Friends – “The One With the Cat”

Original Air Date: October 2, 1997 Starring: Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry Directed by: Shelley Jensen Synopsis: In one plotline of the episode a cat wanders into Central Perk and climbs into Phoebe’s guitar case.  Phoebe becomes convinced the cat is the reincarnation of her mother.  But when Ross finds a flyer […]

Macao (1952)

Macao (1952)

Directed by: Josef von Sternberg Synopsis: Three Americans meet on a boat from Hong Kong to Macao . . . expatriot Nick Cochran (Robert Mitchum), shady femme fatale Julie Benson (Jane Russell) and traveling salesman Lawrence C. Trumble (William Bendix.) They soon become involved in different ways with Vincent Halloran (Brad Dexter), the crooked owner […]

Giant (1956)

Giant (1956)

Directed by: George Stevens Synopsis: A widescreen, episodic saga based on the book by Edna Ferber. Cattle rancher Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson), has his hands full with his forward-thinking New England wife, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) and rival Jett Rink (James Dean). Purr Blur: This is one of those “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” kitty cameos which we like to […]