Monsieur Vincent (1947)

by Ted Davis

Directed by: Maurice Cloche

Synopsis: A remarkable unsentimental movie about a truly remarkable unsentimental man, Vincent de Paul (Pierre Fresnay), who served his church unstintingly during his ecclesiastical career, and selflessly devoted his adult life to caring for the innumerable poor of 17th century France, during a time of great tribulation in the country and against formidable and prejudiced opposition.

Kitty Cameo: Shortly after arriving in the hostile town of Chatillon, de Paul visits a sick woman accused of carrying the plague who has been locked into her home until she dies and the crisis has passed. Unfortunately, the woman is dead by the time he arrives, but the cause of death was starvation and neglect, not the plague. A reserved and collected tabby cat is among the farm animals locked up with the victim in her home.

Monsieur Vincent - tabby cat sitting on table

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): The notorious cat loving Cardinal Richelieu (Aime Clariond) turns up in a meeting with de Paul, brandishing two cuddly and playful kittens during the men’s sometimes contentious / fractious interview. The kittens, one tabby and the other white and grey, are first seen when the Cardinal is at his desk, dividing his attention between carrying on with the kittens and conversing with De Paul.

Monsieur Vincent - Cardinal Richelieu Aime Clariond at desk with tabby and bicolor kittens

Monsieur Vincent - Cardinal Richelieu Aime Clariond at desk with bicolor kitten

Richelieu seems to enjoy turning the kittens onto their backs and at one point almost seems to be using the grey and white kitty as a blotter!

Monsieur Vincent - Cardinal Richelieu Aime Clariond at desk playing with tabby and bicolor kittens animated gif

The Cardinal rises, one kitten in each hand, and complains good-naturedly when he receives a nip. He sets down the kittens onto a chair, remarking, “These beautiful little creatures give me respite from men, yet they’re the cruelest! They make me bleed every day.”

Monsieur Vincent - Cardinal Richelieu Aime Clariond with tabby and bicolor kittens

Monsieur Vincent - Cardinal Richelieu Aime Clariond with tabby and bicolor kittens on chair

Near the end of the conversation, Richelieu picks up the tabby and a moment later is holding both kittens before he places them on a table to better issue his implicit command to Monsieur de Paul, who can only submit.