High, Wide and Handsome (1937)

Directed by: Rouben Mamoulian

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

Synopsis: Medicine show singer Sally Watterson (Irene Dunne) falls for farmer Peter Cortlandt (Randolph Scott) whose future changes radically when he strikes oil on his land.

Cat Cattle Call: Peter ends up in a bitter feud with a ruthless railroad boss and decides to build a pipeline to deliver his oil to the refinery. But he has to secure access to a piece of land from saloon owner Joe Varese (Akim Tamiroff). Inside Varese’s office we see several cats, including a black cat looking at a bird and a tabby cat on the bear skin rug behind him.

High, Wide and Handsome - black cat sitting on carpet with bird nearby and tabby cat on bear skin rug behind

As the black cat moves to get a closer look at the bird, a grey and white tuxedo cat can be seen sitting on the back of the couch.

High, Wide and Handsome - black cat looking at bird with gray and white tuxedo cat on back of couch and tabby cat on bear skin rug behind

A ginger tabby is lying on Varese’s desk as he negotiates with Peter.

High, Wide and Handsome - Joe Varese Akim Tamiroff with tabby cat on desk

After making his firm offer, Varese moves to the couch and picks up the black cat, laying back.

High, Wide and Handsome - Joe Varese Akim Tamiroff picking up black cat and lying on couch with tuxedo and tabby cats

Varese sits with his cats as Peter and his compadres try to figure out what to do.

High, Wide and Handsome - Joe Varese Akim Tamiroff petting black cat and lying on couch with tuxedo and tabby cats

Peter finally gives in to Varese, who moves back to the desk. Varese sets the black cat down on the desk. As it jumps off the desk Varese picks up yet another black cat and sets it down. That cat also jumps off the desk.