English Title: Waiting Women
Also Known As: Secrets of Women
Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
Starring: Maj-Britt Nilsson, Anita Björk
Directed by: Ingmar Bergman

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Three sisters-in-law share stories about the relationships with their husbands while waiting for the men to arrive at a secluded cabin retreat.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The second of the three stories told is that of Marta (Maj-Britt Nilsson) who explains how she became pregnant by an artist named Martin (Birger Malmsten) who found himself suddenly having to quit painting and join the family business. Marta keeps the pregnancy secret and has the baby alone. As she wakes up one day towards the end of her expectancy in her parents’ apartment, she walks into the bathroom to splash some water on herself to cool off. A small, dark cat is sitting in the hallway as she approaches.

She stops to lean down and push the cat aside, not roughly but still the kitten wasn’t really in her way. She then continues to the bathroom.

The cat is later seen in the middle of the living room as Marta looks out a window.

The kitten is next on a mantel as Marta makes a phone call, watching as she hangs up the receiver.

As Marta prepares to walk to the hospital, she stops in front of a mirror. The kitten is in her bag!

Marta takes the kitten to the hospital with her and is petting it in the waiting room.

When Marta is finally seen by a nurse, the woman is surprised to see the cat. But she simply asks a younger nurse to take the kitten from Marta. This is done very kindly and gently, but the kitten is not seen again even after Marta gives birth.

Final Mewsings: Why would anyone trade in a cat for a baby?

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