Cats in a Puzzle Box (1946)

Cats in a Puzzle Box (1946)

Directed by: R.B. Donaldson Synopsis: An experimental puzzle box designed by George Plant Horton and Edwin Ray Guthrie at the University of Washington tests cats’ ability to learn and adapt. Reality Cats: The first cat to go through the puzzle box is a small cream-colored tabby who is called Cat A. By the fifteenth experiment, […]

Schoolhouse Rock! – “Naughty Number Nine”

Schoolhouse Rock! – “Naughty Number Nine”

Original Air Date: May 17, 1973 Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this short! Synopsis: A gangster cat plays pool using a mouse as the cue ball while teaching children their multiplication tables for the number 9. Cartoon Cat: The fat orange cat has a white muzzle and wears a […]

Chino’s Tale (1978)

Chino’s Tale (1978)

Directed by: Robert Deubel Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: Based on a short story by Mary Stolz. An elderly woman named Miss Mixter (Geraldine Page) raises an abandoned kitten and then supports him when he faces challenges as an older cat. Featured Feline: The cat, […]

My Turtle Died Today (1956)

My Turtle Died Today (1956)

Directed by: Jim Duffy Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: Based on the children’s book, a boy tries to find help for his dying turtle, Boxer. Cartoon Cats: The boy first asks help from his cat Tabby. Tabby seems interested but obviously can’t do anything. The […]

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat (1937)

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat (1937)

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A silent filmed experiment from the University of Rochester shows several cats used in the study of learned token-reward habits. Reality Cats: The tests involve placing the cat subjects into a lighted box with a window so they can be […]

Struggle for Individuality – Children Grow Up (Date Unknown)

Struggle for Individuality – Children Grow Up (Date Unknown)

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A silent examination of how children growing up with differing disciplines affects their adult years. Featured Feline: Only the first reel of this film exists but it features a rather prominent white kitten with black markings. Two mothers, each with […]

Mammals Are Interesting (1953)

Encyclopedia Britannica Films Synopsis: An educational film all about mammals. Reality Cats: When the subject of mammals having hair is introduced, footage of a long-haired tabby cat mama with her kittens is shown. Later the discussion of carnivores includes footage of a Siamese cat playing with a ball of string as the narrator explains how they have […]