Ring of Spies (1964)

by Mark Murton

Also Known As: Ring of Treason

Directed by: Robert Tronson

Synopsis: Fact-based spy thriller about a disgruntled Navy Clerk, Harry Houghton (Bernard Lee), who is transferred to a secret weapons research establishment. He is subsequently approached by Russian intelligence and agrees to to procure secrets for them for money.

Kitty Cameo: Go-between Gordon Lonsdale (William Sylvester) is seen taking a convoluted route to arrive at an unremarkable house in a suburban street in Ruislip. He knocks on the door and is greeted by a woman, Helen Kroger (Nancy Nevinson), who cradles a large longhair tabby cat in her arms. She invites him in and bolts the door.

Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester at door with Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat
Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester at door with Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat

She escorts him into the drawing room, chatting amiably as they go.

Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester in hallway with Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat
Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester in hallway with Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat
Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester in hallway with Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat animated gif

Here he finds her husband, Peter Kroger (David Kossoff), who greets him warmly.

Ring of Spies - Gordon Lonsdale William Sylvester following Helen Nancy Nevinson holding longhair tabby cat into room with Peter David Kossoff

As Lonsdale shows Kroger the documents he has received from Houghton, Helen goes around pulling the curtains, finally setting the cat down on the sofa to enable her to finish the job. The humans all move to another room and the cat isn’t seen again.

Ring of Spies - Helen Nancy Nevinson setting longhair tabby cat on couch

Final Mewsings: Cats may not turn spies in but that doesn’t mean they approve of the practice.

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