Monkey on My Back (1957)

Monkey On My Back DVD

Edward Small Productions
Starring:
 Cameron Mitchell, Dianne Foster, Paul Richards
Directed by: André De Toth

Synopsis: The true-life story of Barney Ross (Cameron Mitchell), a former boxing champion and World War II veteran, who found himself addicted to morphine after contracting a serious case of malaria while fighting in Guadalcanal.  The film takes a stark look at his struggle with being a drug addict and how it impacts his wife (Dianne Foster) and those around him.

Kitty Cameos: There are three different kitty cameos and they all happen in the space of a few minutes.  After Barney beats up and robs two men (a dope addict and his pusher who first tried to rob him) he runs off with the police in pursuit.  As he runs past a garbage can, there is a long-haired cat eating something nonchalantly as he passes (we see this same cat again when a policeman comes by then goes the other way.)

Monkey On My Back alley cat 1

As Barney then ducks into an alley, there is a tom cat sitting on a garbage can behind him which jumps off and runs when he approaches.

Monkey On My Back alley cat 2

And finally as Barney gives himself a shot of morphine we see a dog jumping at yet another cat on a garbage can (this one a black and white tuxedo cat), knocking the can over and causing the cat to fight back (it doesn’t look as if the dog is attacking the cat in a very aggressive manner, though.)

Monkey On My Back alley cat 3

Final Mewsings: This film would have us believe that all cats can be found sitting on garbage cans.


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