by Mark Murton

Directed by: Charles E. Sellier Jr.

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

Synopsis: As a child, Billy Chapman witnesses the murder of his parents by a man in Santa suit just after his grandfather has warned him that Santa punishes the naughty. Now eighteen, Billy is working in the stockroom at a local toy store. On Christmas Eve the employee playing Santa is injured and Billy is required to take his place, triggering flashbacks and sending him on a killing spree.

Kitty Cameo: As Billy (Robert Brian Wilson) searches for more victims to punish, teenagers Denise (Linnea Quigley) and her boyfriend Tommy (Leo Geter) are making out in the basement of a nearby house. Suddenly Denise announces she’s heard the cat at the door and has to go and let it in. Still topless, she climbs the stairs and opens the door, calling for the cat but the kitty is nowhere to be seen. She finally sighs, “Okay, you’re on your own until morning. Merry Christmas.” Just at this moment the tuxedo cat finally appears and runs in past her.

As Denise turns around to admonish the cat Billy appears and despite Denise managing to close the door he smashes his way in with an axe and advances on her. Meanwhile, Tommy starts to wonder where Denise has got to and goes up to find the door smashed in and the cat cowering nearby.

As Tommy goes in search of Denise the cat holds its position while crying (a warning?) at Tommy. The cat isn’t seen again, while Tommy probably wished he’d listened to the kitty’s warning.

Final Mewsings: Leaving your cat out in the cold at Christmas is definitely naughty!

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