Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios
Starring: Robert Montgomery, Constance Cummings, Roy Emerton
Directed by: Arthur B. Woods

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

Synopsis: Amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey (Robert Montgomery) and his mystery author wife Harriet (Constance Cummings) are looking forward to spending their honeymoon in the charming cottage of Harriet’s childhood and getting away from murder and mysteries of any kind.  Unfortunately when they arrive at the cottage, the man who sold it to them is missing and eventually turns up dead.

Kitty Cameo: The owner of the cottage, which is called Tallboys, is named Noakes (Roy Emerton) and he is first seen sitting at a desk in the home with the realtor.  A Siamese cat is also sitting on the desk.

The Siamese cat apparently belongs to Noakes and he treats it with affection during the following scenes as we learn that Noakes owes money but has no intention of paying his debts.  He plans to take the money he received from selling Tallboys and disappear into the night.

Before Noakes can enact his plan he turns on a radio and something happens to him just off screen.  The Siamese cat runs into the cellar and is trapped there.

Later when the Wimseys arrive they make themselves at home despite not being met by Noakes.  For reasons that make sense in the film the couple end up under the dining room table.  From there they can hear the cat meowing in the cellar.  Lord Wimsey goes to let the cat out and it makes a dash for the nearest window and jumps out.

After the cat has left, Mrs. Wimsey remarks, “What a perfectly horrid cat!”  Lord Wimsey adds, “Disgusting.  He wasn’t even injured.”  Not surprisingly the cat does not show up again for the rest of the film.  Well, would you return if you were insulted like that?

Final Mewsings: There is no such thing as a horrid cat!

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