The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

The Strawberry Blonde DVD

Warner Bros.
Starring:
 James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Rita Hayworth
Directed by: Raoul Walsh

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

Synopsis: Biff Grimes (James Cagney) is a dentist who recollects his earlier years at the turn of the century when a rival stole the girl of his dreams, a strawberry blonde named Virginia (Rita Hayworth).

Kitty Cameo: At the beginning of the film a bulldog is seen sitting on the front step of Dr. Grime’s dental practice.  A small tabby cat with white markings appears.

The Strawberry Blonde - Tessie white and tabby cat

The bulldog leaves the step and races around the corner of the house to chase the cat.

The Strawberry Blonde - Tessie white and tabby cat being chased by dog

Later in the scene, Mrs. Grimes (Olivia de Havilland) steps out of the house to call her husband to the telephone.  Dr. Grimes has been getting into an altercation with the college kids next door.  Mrs. Grimes notices that the bulldog has the cat cornered and the cat is swatting away at the dog viciously.  “Tessie, you leave Butch alone!”  We take it that Tessie is the cat and Butch is the bulldog.

The Strawberry Blonde - Tessie white and tabby cat swiping at Butch bulldog

What’s interesting to note about this scene is it would appear someone is holding the dog’s back legs to keep him from actually reaching the cat.

The Strawberry Blonde - Tessie white and tabby cat swiping at Butch bulldog animated gif

Final Mewsings: Tessie was putting a lot of faith into whoever was holding the dog!


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