Camilla (1954)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Luciano Emmer

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

Synopsis: Camilla (Gina Busin) is the middle-aged, widowed housekeeper for the frenetic Rossetti family who appreciate her calm demeanor in the most outrageous situations.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The apartment building where the Rossetti’s live has a resident tabby and white cat who is standing in the lobby when Camilla first arrives.

Camilla - tabby and white cat standing outside lobby of apartment with Camilla Gina Busin

The cat has a habit of sneaking into the Rossetti apartment, much to the delight of the children, Cristina (Elisabetta Emmer) and Andrea (Michele Emmer), and the irritation of their father Mario (Gabriele Ferzetti).

Camilla - tabby and white cat sneaking into apartment

The cat sneaks into the apartment on the day Camilla arrives, which is also the day Cristina has flooded the bathroom. The mother, Giovanna (Luciana Angiolillo), is struggling to help the children catch a wayward goldfish in the hallway when the cat appears again (the cat actor is actually catapulted into the scene by a pair of hands which are clearly visible!)

Camilla - tabby and white cat being pushed into hallway by a pair of hands

Camilla - tabby and white cat turning around to run out of hallway

tabby and white cat pushed into hallway by hands of trainer animated gif

The tabby sneaks into the apartment behind Mario again on another day.

Camilla - tabby and white cat sneaking into apartment behind Mario Gabriele Ferzetti

This time Camilla finds the kitty eating from her plate of food in the kitchen.

Camilla - tabby and white cat eating from plate on table

She gently but firmly removes the cat from the table. The cat wanders onto the family’s patio.

Camilla - tabby and white cat on table looking at Camilla Gina Busin

Camilla - tabby and white cat eating from plate on table then removed by Gina Busin animated gif

Camilla - tabby and white cat walking onto patio

The opportunistic cat is later present when Cristina drops a pan of cake batter on the floor during an argument between her parents.

Camilla - tabby and white cat looking at overturned pan of cake batter on floor

At the end of the film when the parents have reconciled and Camilla has decided to stay, a happy Cristina gathers the cat from the front door and boldly brings the kitty into the apartment.