From Headquarters (1933)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: William Dieterle

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains a spoiler for this film!

Synopsis: A Broadway playboy is murdered and Lieutenant J. Stevens (George Brent) has to wade through numerous suspects to find the culprit.

Purr Blur: Suspect Ander E. Anderzian (Robert Barrat) runs across a safecracker named Muggs Manton (Hobart Cavanaugh) in the hallway of police headquarters. Manton can place Anderzian at the scene of the crime, so Anderzian shuffles the unsuspecting man toward a broom closet. When the door is opened, a black cat is just visible inside, jumping down from a bucket.

From Headquarters - black cat jumping down from bucket in closet
From Headquarters - black cat jumping down from bucket in closet eyed by Muggs Hobart Cavanaugh with Anderzian Robert Barrat animated gif

Shortly afterward, bail bondsman Manny Wales (Hugh Herbert) opens the door and he and Sgt. Boggs (Eugene Pallette) make a gruesome discovery. The black cat saunters from the closet and casually walks across the hall never to be seen again.

From Headquarters - black cat walking past Manny Hugh Herbert and Sgt. Boggs Eugene Pallette in hallway
From Headquarters - black cat walking past Manny Hugh Herbert and Sgt. Boggs Eugene Pallette in hallway
From Headquarters - black cat walking past Manny Hugh Herbert and Sgt. Boggs Eugene Pallette in hallway animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats know better than to stick around at the scene of a crime.

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