Dr. Crippen (1963)

Directed by: Robert Lynn

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

Synopsis: Based on the true crime story of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen (Donald Pleasence) who was accused of killing his wife.

Kitty Cameos: Crippen’s wife Belle (Coral Browne) is a henpecking kind of woman who is usually snapping at her husband. As Crippen enters the kitchen carrying a coal bucket, he steps over the legs of a man. A cat meows. “Oh, be careful!” Belle yells as she reaches down to pick up a tuxedo cat from the floor. “Sorry, Puss,” Crippen offers the cat.

Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance walking away as wife Belle Coral Browne picks up tuxedo cat

“Cats have feelings, too, you know!” Belle snaps. She sets the cat on a chair but it immediately jumps down and disappears.

Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance walking away as wife Belle Coral Browne sets tuxedo cat on chair
Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance walking away as wife Belle Coral Browne sets tuxedo cat on chair
Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance walking away as wife Belle Coral Browne sets tuxedo cat on chair animated gif

In a later scene Crippen walks into the kitchen to find a black cat on the table eating their food. Crippen gives the cat and the messy table a dirty look but says nothing. The cat quietly gets down off the table.

Dr. Crippen - black cat eating on table
Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance enters room and sees black cat on table
Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance enters room and sees black cat on table
Dr. Crippen - Crippen Donald Pleasance enters room and sees black cat on table animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats can read body language.

Many thanks to Liz for letting us know about the cats in this film!

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