Better Off Dead (1985)

Better Off Dead poster

A&M Films
Starring:
 John Cusack, Diane Franklin
Directed by: Savage Steve Holland

Synopsis: Lane Meyer (John Cusack) is head over heels in love with a beautiful girl. But when she spurns him (for practically everyone else) it leaves Lane despondent.

Kitty Cameo: In one scene Lane awakens to find a note from his mother (stuck to his forehead) to feed the cat. He walks into the kitchen and gets a box of dry cat food from the cupboard. It spills out all over the floor as he pours it (a running joke about his brother cutting coupons from the boxes before they are empty) and sits down at a nearby table as the cat hurries to the bowl to eat.

Better Off Dead - gray cat eating from bowl with Lane John Cusack at table in background
Better Off Dead - gray cat eating from bowl with Lane John Cusack at table in background
Better Off Dead - gray cat eating from bowl with Lane John Cusack at table in background animated gif

After hearing the doorbell ring, Lane gets up to answer it, scaring the cat away from the bowl.

Better Off Dead - gray cat running away from bowl with Lane John Cusack approaching in background
Better Off Dead - gray cat running from bowl with Lane John Cusack approaching in background animated gif

Many thanks to the lovely Diane Franklin for letting us know that the cat playing this role belonged to director Savage Steve Holland who loves cats!

Final Mewsings: Can’t a cat just eat in peace?

Many thanks to @boonerang for letting is know about the cat in this movie!

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