Cry of the Werewolf (1944)

Aug 17, 2020

Directed by: Henry Levin

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

Synopsis: A gypsy princess (Nina Foch) conceals a terrible secret which Dr. Charles Morris (Fritz Leiber), the director of a supernatural museum, threatens to uncover.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The museum is the home to a long-haired cat named Minnie who is cared for by a guide named Peter (John Abbott). He is first seen holding the cat as Dr. Morris is leaving his office.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie held by Peter John Abbott with Dr. Morris Fritz Leiber

Peter tells Dr. Morris that he couldn’t leave before feeding Minnie. “She’s been acting up. Hiding on me. I couldn’t find her. She’s getting scared of her own shadow.” He pets the cat’s face as he explains.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie held by Peter John Abbott with Dr. Morris Fritz Leiber
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie petted by Peter John Abbott with Dr. Morris Fritz Leiber animated gif

Dr. Morris goes into another room and Peter sets Minnie down by her bowl.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie being set down by Peter John Abbott

Moments later Minnie gets nervous and scurries away from the food. “Hey, what’s eating you?” Peter asks. After this Peter walks around calling “Kitty! Kitty!” when he hears Dr. Morris scream. Peter goes to investigate. When Peter is found later he is in a daze, calling “Minnie . . . kitty kitty . . . “

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie eating from bowl as Peter John Abbott watches
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie looking up from bowl as Peter John Abbott watches
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie running away from bowl as Peter John Abbott watches
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie running away from bowl as Peter John Abbott watches animated gif

Minnie turns up again later when the museum’s janitor Jan (Ivan Triesault) is hiding in a room to sabotage efforts to learn what Dr. Morris had discovered. Minnie hisses at Jan.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie in dark room with Jan Ivan Triesault
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie in dark room hissing
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie hissing in dark room with Jan Ivan Triesault animated gif

A guard named Donnigan hears the cat and starts calling, “Here kitty kitty!” He slowly opens the door to the room as Jan hides with a knife, ready to attack if necessary. Minnie continues to hiss. If you look closely you can barely see the shadow of something out of frame, most likely a dog brought in to scare the poor cat actor.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie in dark room arching back
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie in dark room
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie hissing as guard opens door with Jan with knife hiding animated gif

Donnigan sees Minnie in the room and calls for her to come out, which she does, saving the guard from being attacked. Once outside the room Minnie jumps up into a chair.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie walking out of room beside guard
Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie in chair beside guard

Minnie is only seen once more when Dr. Morris’ son Bob (Stephen Crane) hears something scratching behind a fireplace mantel with a secret panel. Bob opens the panel and Minnie casually walks out. “Well, fancy meeting you here!” Bob smiles.

Cry of the Werewolf - longhaired tabby cat Minnie walking out of secret panel beside Bob Stephen Crane

Final Mewsings: Museum cats should never be ignored.

Many thanks to Ted Davis and Brian H. for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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