Seven Arts Productions
Starring: Jackie Gleason, Katherine Kath, Diane Gardner
Also starring: Orangey
Directed by: Gene Kelly

Synopsis: This Chaplinesque film is reminiscent of a silent era comedy in that it includes both humor and pathos.  Gigot (Jackie Gleason) is a mute janitor who lives quietly in a small French town where he is taken advantage of and ridiculed by the locals but beloved by the town’s animals.  One evening he takes in an ailing prostitute named Colette (Katherine Kath) and her little daughter Nicole (Diane Gardner) and comes to love the little girl, doing everything he can to protect and care for her.

Cinema Cat The orange tabby cat, played by feline screen star Orangey (whom we’ve already featured many times on Cinema Cats) has a wonderful role in this film opposite Gleason.  The cat travels across town every morning to enter the dingy basement home of Gigot, awakening his human benifactor who then pours the cat some milk.  The cat also follows him around town, as do the town’s dogs, for cookie bits which he also generously shares.  There are also some funny moments when the cat accidentally awakens Colette one morning and a sweet moment when the cat rides around in a buggy with little Nicole.  While not the focus of the film, Orangey puts in his usual brilliant performance and adds a lot to the proceedings, even performing his standard leap from a high place to Gleason’s shoulder.

Final Mewsings: Words aren’t necessary when it comes to love.  Cats know this.

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