That’s the Spirit (1945)

Jul 24, 2026

by Ted Davis

Directed by: Charles Lamont

Synopsis: This congealed slice of sentimental whimsy follows ghostly vaudevillian ‘Slim’ Gogarty’s (Jack Oakie) attempts to run interference for his stagestruck daughter Sheila (Peggy Ryan), whose yearnings to be a singing and dancing performer are constantly dashed by Jasper Cawthorne (Gene Lockhart), her strict disciplinarian granddad, whose instincts, based on the songs in this movie, should have been respected.

Kitty Cameo: As Slim and his daughter skip down an alley, an alert black cat slips silently down from a nearby trash can and across their path.

That's the Spirit - Slim Jack Oakie and Sheila Peggy Ryan in alley with black cat on trash can
That's the Spirit - black cat on trash can
That's the Spirit - Slim Jack Oakie and Sheila Peggy Ryan in alley with black cat running away from trash can
That's the Spirit - Slim Jack Oakie and Sheila Peggy Ryan in alley with black cat jumping down from trash can animated gif

Final Mewsings: Just try that strict discipline with a cat, Mr. Cawthorne, and see how far you get.

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