Love Letters (1945)

Directed by: William Dieterle

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

Synopsis: Allen Quinton (Joseph Cotten) is a British soldier stationed in Italy in World War II where he pens poetic love letters for a fellow soldier to mail to the guy’s girlfriend, Victoria, back home. But Allen realizes he has fallen in love with Victoria and he can tell from her letters that she has fallen for the person who wrote the letters. After being wounded, Allen returns home to find out this fellow soldier has been murdered by his newlywed wife and Allen struggles with the fact that his love letters have caused irreparable harm, especially in his newfound relationship with a beautiful young amnesiac woman known only as Singleton (Jennifer Jones).

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): When Allen goes to a party hosted by a woman named Dilly Carson (Ann Richards), there is a young tabby and white kitten in her apartment. Allen picks up the kitten right after meeting Singleton for the first time. He asks Singleton, “What’s her name?” then asks the kitten, “What’s your name?”

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten

Allen, still holding the kitten, walks over to another group of people.

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten

Later in the film, Allen returns to the apartment and again meets Singleton. After she reminds him who she is, he reaches down and scoops up the kitten.

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten and Singleton Jennifer Jones
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten

When he finds out Singleton doesn’t remember her name, he realizes she is the girl he’s been looking for.

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten looking surprised at Singleton Jennifer Jones animated gif

When Dilly returns to the apartment, Allen is still holding the cat.

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten and Dilly Ann Richards
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten and Dilly Ann Richards

He sets the cat on the floor and strokes her a few time. The cat is not seen again after this.

Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten petting tabby and white kitten on floor with Singleton Jennifer Jones
Love Letters - Allen Joseph Cotten with tabby and white kitten publicity still

Final Mewsings: Kittens without names don’t answer questions about women without names.

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