Original Air Date: January 7, 1955

Starring: Orangey

Directed by: Al Lewis

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

Synopsis: After reading from a government pamphlet about how all good citizens harbor a secret from the world, Miss Brooks (Eve Arden), Mr. Conklin (Gale Gordon) and Mr. Boynton (Robert Rockwell) all worry over a secret they share.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The episode begins with Mrs. Davis (Jane Morgan) answering the phone and greeting her sister Angela. A loud meow comes from off screen. “It’s for me, Minerva,” Mrs. Davis explains to the cat. Later when someone rings the doorbell Mrs. Davis tells her sister she has to go. Minerva meows again and Mrs. Davis smiles and says, “Oh, Minerva says goodbye.” She then seems startled and hangs up the phone. “I’d hate to tell you what she said!” she informs Minerva.

Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin and his wife (Paula Winslowe) and Mr. Boynton sit down to discuss the Citizen’s League meeting they just attended. Mr. Conklin comments on the size of the cake on the table. “Big enough to feed an army!” he exclaims, “Holy mackerel!” Minerva meows and licks her lips. “Minerva likes mackerel,” Miss Brooks explains.

A discussion arises about a strange event and Mr. Conklin states that a woman wouldn’t say anything about it. “Shut up like a clam!” Minerva meows again. “Any kind of fish, she likes,” Miss Brooks explains. Mrs. Davis says she will get Minerva some salmon and that it quiets her nerves.

As Miss Brooks reads from a pamphlet called The Road to Good Citizenship, she recites, “Ask yourself whether or not you are really a good citizen. Answer honestly. Search your soul.” Minerva meows and licks her lips anxiously again. “Not filet, just soul,” Miss Brooks tells her.

Later when Miss Brooks is alone, she picks up the pamphlet again and reads, “Never forget your life is your ship. Keep it on an even keel. Don’t flounder.” Minerva meows and licks her lips yet again.

Minerva was played by the prolific cat acting team known as Orangey trained by Frank Inn. The wildly comical dubbing of Minerva’s meows was a direct carry-over from the original radio show.

Final Mewsings: Cats love fish and puns!

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