The First Deadly Sin (1980)

Artanis Productions Inc. Starring: Frank Sinatra, Faye Dunaway Directed by: Brian G. Hutton Synopsis: Police inspector Edward Delaney (Frank Sinatra) tackles one last case before retirement as he tries to catch a serial killer. Kitty Cameo: Delaney’s wife (Faye Dunaway) spends the movie in the hospital as she is suffering from an illness. During one visit, she asks Delaney […]

Tamango (1958)

CEI Incom Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Alex Cressan Directed by: John Berry Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: After being captured by a Dutch slave ship, captive Tamanga (Alex Cressan) tries to lead a revolt to gain freedom for his fellow slaves. Featured Feline: The ship’s bosun named Bebe (Roger Hanin) […]

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

EMI Film Distributors Starring: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave Directed by: Sidney Lumet Synopsis: Adaptation of the Agatha Christie mystery in which Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) helps to solve a murder on the famous train. Purr Blurs: Near the beginning of the film Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave) is seen arriving in a car. As the car approaches, a brown tabby […]

Utvandrarna (1971)

English Title: The Emigrants Svensk Filmindustri (SF) Starring: Max von Sydow, Sven-Olof Bern, Eddie Axberg Directed by: Jan Troell Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: An unblinking look at a Swedish family from the mid-1800’s who decide to make the challenging journey to North America in search of a better […]

Darkest Hour (2017)

Working Title Films Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas Directed by: Joe Wright Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: The biographical story of Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) when he became Prime Minister at the time England was questioning its involvement in World War II. Kitty Cameo: Churchill was a known […]

Rough on Rats (1933)

Van Beuren Studios Directed by: Harry Bailey Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: Three kittens run amok in a grocery store, then have to battle a nasty rat. Cartoon Cats: The short begins with the Mama cat leading her kittens to a bowl where there is supposed to be […]

Cats’ Home (1952)

British Pathé Synopsis: Newsreel footage shows a houseful of cats in Thornton Heath. We also see a cat from Wimbledon with its own “elevator”. Reality Cats: The first home visited is that of the Morley sisters in Thornton Heath who take in and feed cats. This is in appreciation of one cat’s meowing warning them about an […]

Witness (1985)

Paramount Pictures Starring: Harrison Ford, Lukas Haas Directed by: Peter Weir Synopsis: Police detective John Book (Harrison Ford) goes undercover with the Amish to protect a boy named Samuel (Lukas Haas), the only eyewitness to a brutal murder. Kitty Cameos: In one scene, Samuel shows John the grain silo. He then picks up a tabby kitten with white paws […]

Pete’s Dragon (1977)

Walt Disney Productions Starring: Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy Directed by: Don Chaffey Synopsis: Pete (Sean Marshall) is an orphan boy who is trying to escape his abusive adoptive parents by hiding in a small New England town with his friend, a dragon named Elliott. Kitty Cameo: Near the beginning of the film Pete walks into town with Elliott, who […]

Going in Style (2017)

New Line Cinema Starring: Michael Caine, John Ortiz Directed by: Zach Braff Synopsis: Clever update of the original comedy heist film. Three pensioners (Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin) become tired of being robbed of their well-earned money and decide to rob a bank. Purr Blur: The trio enlist the aid of a veteran criminal named Jesus (John Ortiz) […]