Desperate Moment (1953)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Compton Bennett

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Following World War II, Dutch resistance fighter Simon Van Halder (Dirk Bogarde) escapes from prison and a life sentence for a murder to which he confessed but did not commit. He locates Anna DeBurg (Mai Zetterling), a girl he has loved since childhood and only recently discovered was not killed as he had been told, and she helps him try to discover who the real killer is, despite many of the witnesses mysteriously dying as they are sought.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Simon is talking to Anna in her apartment when there is a knock at the door. He quickly hides in the kitchen where a tiny tabby kitten is lapping at milk from a dish on the floor.

Desperate Moment - tiny tabby kitten drinking milk from saucer on floor

Desperate Moment - Simon Dirk Bogarde in dark kitchen with tiny tabby kitten drinking milk on floor animated gif

Anna opens the front door to find Captain Bob Sawyer (Philip Friend), who is on the trail of Simon. Sawyer makes it clear he thinks Simon is in the apartment and starts searching. Simon, now holding the tiny kitten, listens on the other side of the kitchen door, then slowly backs away.

Desperate Moment - Simon Dirk Bogarde holding tiny tabby kitten in dark kitchen

There is a loud crash from the kitchen and Sawyer runs into the room, followed by Anna. All they find is the tabby kitten standing in a puddle of spilled milk next to some broken crockery on the floor.

Desperate Moment - tiny tabby kitten lapping spilled milk on dark kitchen floor

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling and Sawyer Philip Friend finding tiny tabby kitten drinking spilled milk in kitchen animated gif

Anna gathers up the kitten and smirks, “Perhaps you’d like to take his fingerprints.” “He’s new, isn’t he?” Sawyer asks as they exit the kitchen, “Where did you get him?” “It’s a she not a he,” Anna corrects (although she herself used the word “his” just a moment before!)

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling holding tiny tabby kitten in dark kitchen with Sawyer Philip Friend

Anna walks Sawyer to the door, still holding the kitten.

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling carrying tiny tabby kitten from kitchen with Sawyer Philip Friend

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling holding tiny tabby kitten with Sawyer Philip Friend

As Sawyer leaves, a chimney sweep arrives to look at the stove.

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling holding tiny tabby kitten at door with chimney sweep

Desperate Moment - Anna Mai Zetterling holding tiny tabby kitten as sweep enters animated gif

This gives Anna an idea and she runs back to the kitchen. She holds on to the kitten as Simon crawls back through the window.

Desperate Moment - Simon Dirk Bogarde coming in through dark kitchen window with Anna Mai Zetterling holding tiny tabby kitten

Anna explains that the chimney sweep is wearing a top hat and his face is covered with soot. “I’m sure his own mother wouldn’t know him!” she enthuses. Simon gets what she is saying and pulls her close for a kiss with the kitten between them.