The Country Cousin (1936)

Walt Disney Productions Directed by: Wilfred Jackson Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: In this Silly Symphony, a city mouse invites his country cousin to leave the sticks and experience high class. Cartoon Cat: The sophisticated city mouse introduces his cousin to the riches of an extravagant dining table. […]

Cat Show (1948)

British Pathé Synopsis: Unused and unissued newsreel footage of a cat show at Shepherd’s Bush, London. Reality Cats: The newsreel begins with a couple of takes of two women, Irene Ashton and Diana Morrison, looking into a basket to find some Siamese kittens. Several shots of the show cats are then seen. What’s interesting about this footage […]

Everything You Need to Know About Cats (1977)

Sesame Street Directed by: Bruce Cayard Synopsis: A short film created for Sesame Street by animator Bruce Cayard covers some of the basic things to know about cats. Cartoon Cats: This very cute cartoon short covers some true facts about cats in a humorous way. Many cats are shown doing cat things. And the short ends with a […]

Madcap Ambrose (1916)

Keystone Film Company Starring: Mack Swain, Polly Moran Directed by: Fred Fishback Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: Ambrose (Mack Swain) is a strong but gentle giant who lives in a boarding house run by his mother (Mai Wells) and who attracts the admiration of the maid Rosie Bloom […]

Turkish Van Cats Learn to Swim (1960)

British Pathé Synopsis: Silent newsreel footage shows three Turkish Van cats eating and being forced to swim in tubs. Reality Cats: The unused and unissued footage shows the cats with a couple of women who seem to be demonstrating how they are “teaching” the cats to swim. While Turkish Vans are naturally good swimmers, these poor cats […]

Furies (1977)

Directed by: Sara Petty Synopsis: The world of two cats is represented through a beautifully artistic prism. Cartoon Cats: This stylized animated short is truly beautiful. Set to jazz music, the two cats go about their day: preening, playing and even fighting, in an ever-changing world of colors and shapes. Winner of fourteen first place awards at international […]

Stray Cat Village off Naples (circa 1950’s)

British Pathé Synopsis: Unused and unissued newsreel footage shows a “village” of stray cats. Reality Cats: The cat sanctuary was reportedly run by Mrs. Sidro Fornaro who is seen tending to the cats in this footage. Several of the cats are wearing little bibs as they eat. The final clips are of a Siamese cat wearing a […]

Daydreams (1922)

First National Pictures Starring: Buster Keaton Directed by: Eddie Cline Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A young man (Buster Keaton) goes to the city to obtain work and prove he is worthy of the girl he loves. Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The first job Buster gets is at a […]

Dozhdlivaya istoriya (1988)

English Title: A Rainy Story Soyuzmultfilm Directed by: Tayana Mititello Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film! Synopsis: A beautiful Russian animated short about a baker and her cat and some extraordinary events which take place on a rainy day, all told without words. Cartoon Cat: The gray, white and black tabby […]

Cat Show – Olympia (1969)

British Pathé Synopsis: Many cats are showcased at the National Championship Cat Show, Olympia in 1969. Reality Cats: A newsreel segment from British Pathé shows many lovely cats featured in the show, which drew more entries that year than ever before. First shown is a Seal Point Siamese Champion named Redleaf Benni. Two Devon Rex cats are […]