by Mark Murton
Directed by: Jacques Tati
Synopsis: This final big screen outing for Jacques Tati’s famous comic creation Mr. Hulot sees him working at Paris-based Altra Motors where he designs an ingenious camper-car with numerous innovative features. Hulot is then tasked with transporting it to an international auto show in Amsterdam, accompanied by truck driver Marcel (Marcel Fraval) and American publicity agent Maria (Maria Kimberley). Naturally they encounter many humorous car-related obstacles along the way.
Purr Blur: As their journey nears its end they need the services of a mechanic and as night falls they arrive at a garage in the countryside. The first feline is a literal purr blur as the garage owner (Tony Knepper) removes some items from an old boat including a grey tabby cat which beats a hasty retreat underneath the vessel.
Kitty Cameo: The next day as they sit around a table extended from the back of the camper-car a second cat, this one tuxedo, bounds towards the building . . .
. . . before jumping up on the table next to where they are eating.
As night falls again this same tuxedo cat is seen exiting the garage in a long shot.
Final Mewsings: Cats and traffic don’t mix.
Many thanks to Nick Wale and Jon R. Kennedy for also spotting the cats in this film.
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