Backlash (1947)

Directed by: Eugene Forde

This review contains a Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: When the body of defense attorney John Morland (John Eldredge), who was found in a ravine in his car, proves the man was murdered the hunt is on for his killer.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Suspect number one is Morland’s wife, Catherine (Jean Rogers). Morland’s physician, Dr. Pearson (Frank Dae) is questioned and explains a strange incident that took place between Morland and his wife. Morland became sick after a dinner and the next morning Dr. Pearson prescribed some medicine which Catherine goes out to pick up. Dr. Pearson warns Morland that he thinks his wife poisoned him the night before, but Morland poo-poos the idea. After Catherine returns with the bottle of medicine, Morland is sitting on the couch with a white cat named Toby.

Backlash - John Morland Eldredge sitting with white cat Toby across from Catherine Jean Rogers
Backlash - John Morland Eldredge sitting with white cat Toby across from Catherine Jean Rogers

After Morland repeatedly puts off taking the medicine, Catherine leaves the room. Morland accidentally knocks the bottle over and spills some of the medicine onto the coffee table. Toby comes sniffing around.

Backlash - white cat Toby looking at spill on coffee table
Backlash - white cat Toby looking at spill on coffee table

Morland thinks for a second about stopping the cat but instead sits back and watches as Toby laps up the spill.

Backlash - white cat Toby lapping up spill on coffee table
Backlash - white cat Toby lapping up spill on coffee table
Backlash - white cat Toby lapping up spill on coffee table as Morland John Eldredge watches animated gif

Kitty Carnage Warning! When Catherine returns, Morland nods toward Toby, who is lying motionless on the floor. “Toby leads such a hard life,” Catherine scoffs, “He’s been sleepy all day.” “I don’t think he’s asleep,” Morland states, then walks over and touches Toby who doesn’t move. “He’s dead,” Morland confirms. It is fairly clear that the dead Toby is a fake cat.

Backlash - white cat Toby lying dead on floor
Backlash - Morland touching white cat Toby lying dead on floor

Final Mewsings: Why didn’t anyone investigate the murder of Toby?

Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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