Can You Imagine? (1936)

Can You Imagine? (1936)

Synopsis: A Vitaphone short featuring oddities from across the United States. Kitty Cameo: One segment begins with a boy named Dickie McCollin of Salt Lake City holding a longhair tabby kitten in front of his face. This segues into a picture of a young lion named Rex. The boy, the son of lion tamer Ralph […]

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927)

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927)

Original Title: Berlin – Die Sinfonie der Großstadt Directed by: Walther Ruttmann Synopsis: A fascinating look at a day in the city of Berlin through footage set to music. Reality Cats: A few cats are seen throughout the film. In the morning segment, a black and white cat is walking down a sidewalk, pausing momentarily […]

Crazy, Not Insane (2020)

Crazy, Not Insane (2020)

Directed by: Alex Gibney Synopsis: A look at the controversial career of forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis and her theories about serial killers and Dissociative Identity Disorder. Reality Cat: Dorothy owns a Sphynx cat which is seen in her home several times throughout the film. Final Mewsings: Cats are also psychologically complex creatures. Relevant Links: […]

Churchill and the Movie Mogul (2019)

Churchill and the Movie Mogul (2019)

Directed by: John Fleet Synopsis: This documentary looks at the collaboration between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and movie producer Alexander Korda. Reality Cat: Film footage includes an interview with Churchill’s secretary Sir John Peck who recalls an incident in which Churchill was in bed and commented on how a black cat lying there had […]

Miau (1955)

Miau (1955)

Starring: Tigerli, Blüesli and kittens Directed by: Alfred Roth Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: Home movie footage shows two tabby cats with their black kittens. Reality Cats: This short film begins with a tabby cat in a yard. The cat impressively climbs a thin wooden […]

The Booksellers (2019)

The Booksellers (2019)

Directed by: D.W. Young Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A fascinating look into the world of the rare book sellers of New York. Kitty Cameos: Cats and books so often go together and this documentary is no exception. We are treated to a few quick […]

It’s Showtime (1976)

It’s Showtime (1976)

Also Known As: The Wonderful World of Those Cuckoo Crazy Animals; also Paws, Claws & Jaws Directed by: Paul M. Heller, Alan Myerson, Fred Weintraub Synopsis: A compilation of old movie clips focused on animal actors. Featured Felines: The opening title card for the film shows one cat actor, most likely a drawing of Orangey […]

Tungrus (2018)

Tungrus (2018)

Starring: Ginger and Garlic Directed by: Rishi Chandna Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A short subject documentary about a rooster living with the Bharde family in their Mumbai apartment. Featured Felines: The father of the family, Nusrat Bharde, explains how he bought a baby chick […]

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

Directed by: Peter Jackson Synopsis: Restored and speed-corrected, colored film footage brings to life the sacrifices made by the British soldiers who fought in World War I. Reality Cat: In one shot a group of soldiers are sitting, posing for the camera. One holds a little boy on his knee who is holding a white […]

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)

Directed by: Charlotte Zwerin Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A fascinating look into the life of jazz great Thelonious Monk featuring performance footage and interviews with many who knew him. Reality Cats: At one point in his life Thelonious Monk befriended an heiress and Baroness […]