by Linda Kay

Also Known As: The Infernal Idol

Directed by: Freddie Francis

Synopsis: Antiques dealer Neal Mottram (Jack Palance) is convinced the African idol he has in his basement is granting him riches if he keeps providing the hideous wooden statue with human sacrifices.

Purr Blur: When Neal’s collaborator Ronnie (Martin Potter) enters the shop one night he becomes the victim of a Spring Loaded Cat complete with Poor Cat Screech. Actually all one can make out is a slightly cat shaped blur, so chances are a faux cat was tossed in front of the actor for the effect. It’s also interesting to note that no cat is ever actually seen in the shop before or after this scare.

Kitty Cameo: Neal decides to target his rich Aunt Louise (Edith Evans) who lives in a large mansion with a small black and white dog and a chonky, furry white cat. The dog is eating from the cat’s dish as Aunt Louise warms some milk before bedtime.

She calls to the pets to head upstairs with her and the cat and dog scurry up the steps.

As Aunt Louise opens her bedroom door the dog and cat enter. This is the last we see of the cat.

It’s interesting to note that in a publicity shot for the film Aunt Louise is on the phone with the cat in front of her, but in the film the cat is not present in this scene.

Final Mewsings: The dog was right in thinking the cat could do with a bit less food.

Many thanks to Mark Murton for letting me know about the cat in this film.

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