by Linda Kay
Original Air Date: October 12, 1955
Directed by: William D. Russell
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!
Synopsis: Kathy (Lauren Chapin) gets a magic kit and believes she can really make things happen, although she becomes guilt ridden when she thinks she’s doomed her brother Bud (Billy Gray) to die, not realizing he is sick from smoking a cigar.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Kathy (nicknamed Kitten, although not called that in this particular episode) decides to practice on her tiny tabby kitten Fluffy, although as far as we know Fluffy had never been mentioned in the series before and wouldn’t be since after this.
After reciting the ridiculously long incantation (which tires the poor kitten out), Kathy is upset that Fluffy has not turned into a rabbit, and tells the cat to change into any animal. After she turns her back, the kitten is gone and a bird is standing in its place, leading Kathy to believe she really did change the cat into a bird.
After what can only be described as a complete mental breakdown, Kathy is convinced she is going to die instead of Bud, but is saved at the last minute by the reappearance of Fluffy outside her window.
Kathy happily brings Fluffy downstairs to show her relieved parents (Jane Wyatt and Robert Young) that the kitten has been restored from being a bird and that this somehow means she is going to live.
In the end tag, Kathy is called to the phone by Betty (Elinor Donahue) and she is carrying Fluffy as she takes the receiver. The adorable kitten is playing with his or her own tail!
It is the friend who traded the magic kit and Kathy is quick to return possession of the kit to her friend so she can carry Fluffy to the kitchen table and insult her brother Bud with impunity.
Final Mewsings: You’d think that a girl nicknamed Kitten would own a cat in more than one episode.
Many thanks to Laura for letting us know about the kitten in this episode.
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