Banjo (1947)

Banjo poster

RKO Radio Pictures
Starring:
 Sharyn Moffett, Robert Winans
Directed by: Richard Fleischer

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

Synopsis: A little girl named Pat (Sharyn Moffett) loves her hunting dog Banjo. Unfortunately the rich aunt she goes to live with does not.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): When Pat goes to live with her Aunt Elizabeth (Jacqueline White) the woman makes her keep Banjo in a pen outside. Three neighborhood children, Judy (Jean Moorhead), her brother Beep (George McDonald) and their little neighbor Skiddles (Robert Winans), come by to visit. Skiddles is holding a large Bengal striped tabby Maine Coon cat.

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy and Pat Sharyn Moffett

Banjo - Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy close

The children ask about Banjo. When Pat tells them how well Banjo can hunt birds, Skiddles scoffs, “Cats are better!”

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy and Pat Sharyn Moffett

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy and Pat Sharyn Moffett

At one point Skiddles drops the cat, whose name we later learn is Snoopy. Banjo spots Snoopy, causing the cat to run away.

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy on lawn

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy on lawn

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy on lawn running away from Banjo dog animated gif

Snoopy runs into the house and Banjo jumps the fence to go after him. The cat and dog chase all throughout the house, Banjo knocking things over right and left (it actually looks as if the furniture is being pulled over by hidden wires).

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy running through house

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy running through house animated gif

Snoopy runs out again and up a tree. Banjo jumps at the cat, who sits smugly out of harm’s reach.

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy in tree

Banjo - tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy running away from Banjo dog up tree animated gif

Eventually Aunt Elizabeth send Banjo back to Georgia. Pat is depressed and the children come back. Skiddles generously offers to give her Snoopy. “He’s a nice cat,” he says. Pat is kind and says, “I know he is, Skiddles, but I wouldn’t want anybody but Banjo.”

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy approaching pen

Banjo - Judy Jean Moorhead Beep George McDonald and Skiddles Robert Winans with tabby Maine Coon cat Snoopy and Pat Sharyn Moffett outside pen

Final Mewsings: No one should come between a child and their beloved pet.


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