by Mark Murton and Linda Kay

Directed by: Roy Kellino

Synopsis: Farmer Mark Warrow (James Mason) murders his oppressive wife and goes on the run. He meets a young woman who suspects his identity but conceals it because she wants to use the story to write a book called “I Met a Murderer”.

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): Establishing shots of the farm at the beginning of the film include two black cats feeding nervously from saucers with a hen and duck in close proximity.

Another montage of animals emerging from their sleeping quarters in the early morning includes four cats quickly descending some stone steps.

After Warrow has murdered his wife and buried her in the garden the barking of his dog brings him running in from the fields to the house, passing a tabby cat and two of her kittens as he goes.

He sees a young woman in the garden and quickly recognises her as a camper (Esma Cannon) he encountered earlier who is looking for a lost camera case. Relaxing, Warrow invites her to see the cat’s beautifully marked tabby kittens.

The young woman strokes the cats before picking one up. This proves to be a short-lived moment of peace for Warrow who is soon on the run.

This film was directed by Pamela Kellino’s husband at the time, Roy Kellino, and this was the second film she made with James Mason. Shortly after this Pamela would divorce Roy and marry James. Together Pamela and James would write two wonderful books about cats and share their love of cats even after their move to America, at least until their divorce in 1962. You can read more about the couple in our Special Feature.

Final Mewsings: Cat people are sometimes meant to be together (at least for a while).

Many thanks to RobG for also spotting the cats in this film.

Relevant Links:

To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and X.