Original Air Date: November 8, 1968
Starring: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin
Directed by: Mike Moder

Synopsis: Jim West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) have to try to smuggle a mob’s accountant out of a town filled with enemies.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Jim manages to get hold of the accountant named Norbet Plank (J.S. Johnson) and is trying to find a place to hide when he comes across a church. Jim sneaks into the church and hears a hissing sound. He draws his gun only to see it is an orange tabby cat sitting by some candles.

Even though Jim is carrying the unconscious Plank over his shoulder he stops to pet the cat.

Another shot of the cat is seen after Jim has passed and carried Plank up a ladder to the floor above. The shot of the cat is the same so the editor simply flipped the film so the cat would be looking the other way.

Plank manages to grab hold of the rope to ring the church bell, bringing thugs to the church. Jim waits anxiously but notices the bell rope is moving slightly. When the bad guys burst into the church they see the cat hanging on to the rope and assume the cat accidentally rang the bell. It’s clear the cat is licking something from the rope, an incentive smeared there. It’s possible the footage may also be run backwards when the cat climbs down.

Final Mewsings: Cats have our backs.

Many thanks to our friend Ted Davis for spotting this television cat for us!

Relevant Links:

To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on
Facebook and Twitter.