I Escaped from the Gestapo (1943)

Directed by: Harold Young

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

Synopsis: Torgut Lane (Dean Jagger), a convicted forger, is helped to escape from prison only to find he has been recruited by a mysterious group who turn out to be Nazi saboteurs headed by Fritz Martin (John Carradine.)

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): As Lane is being taken to a hiding place within a boardwalk-style arcade, he spots a tabby kitten sitting behind an enclosed barred window. He takes down the kitten, calling him “Pal.” “I know exactly how you feel,” Lane says sotto to the kitty.

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger with thugs and tabby kitten Pal in barred window

I Escaped from the Gestapo - tabby kitten Pal sitting in barred window

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger retrieving tabby kitten Pal from barred window

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger retrieving tabby kitten Pal from barred window animated gif

The men take Lane inside the meet Martin and Lane brings the kitten with him. When Martin eyes the kitten Lane explains he’s his mascot.

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger holding tabby kitten Pal with Martin John Carradine

Lane takes the kitten with him as he’s led into the windowless room where he learns he is to be imprisoned while he counterfeits money and documents.

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger with tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger holding tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger picking up and petting tabby kitten Pal animated gif

The kitten gives Lane someone to talk to as he speculates on why he is there and who these people are.

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger petting tabby kitten Pal

Pal appears in many of the scenes with Lane during his confinement.

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger and tabby kitten Pal with Martin John Carradine

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger on bed with tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger sleeping at desk with tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger at desk with tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger at desk petting tabby kitten Pal

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger sleeping at desk then petting tabby kitten Pal animated gif

At one point Lane escapes from the room and explores the outer offices, trying to discover the truth behind his captors’ intent. He is startled when the door to his room starts to swing open, only to see it is the kitten. Lane laughs nervously and says, “Don’t do that, Pal.”

I Escaped from the Gestapo - tabby kitten Pal exiting room

I Escaped from the Gestapo - Torgut Lane Dean Jagger startled by tabby kitten Pal coming through door animated gif

The kitten only appears in one other scene when Lane is manipulating Gordon (William Henry), a young Nazi who has second thoughts about his involvement with the Gestapo. After this the kitten seems to be completely forgotten as Lane finally pulls off the titular escape.