by Brian H. and Linda Kay

Directed by: William Castle

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

Synopsis: Kathleen “Kate” O’Day (Ann Savage) arrives in 1890’s Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush with a deed from her deceased father to a saloon owned by Jefferson Braddock (Tom Neal).

Featured Feline: Kate visits Judge Horace Crossit (George Cleveland) to handle her claim. As she enters the office, a small longhair tabby cat is eating something from the pages of a book. Upon awakening, Crossit introduces her to “his associate” Mr. Blackstone the cat. Kate laughs and says she didn’t mean to interrupt the cat’s studies.

Crossit says that Mr. Blackstone enjoys the distinction of being the only cat in the Klondike. The cat continues to eat as Kate and Crossit discuss the saloon situation. Crossit gets Kate to hire him as her lawyer and offers to accompany her to the saloon that night.

As they enter the saloon, Crossit has Mr. Blackstone with him. The have to push through a crowd of people and the cat buries himself in Crossit’s arm.

At the bar, Crossit begins taking pieces of fish from a plate and stuffing them in his pocket. When Tim the bartender (George McKay) eyes him warily, Crossit explains he was just taking some smoked fish for Mr. Blackstone. “Well, when Mr. Blackstone learns how to drink beer bring him in and I’ll give him all the smoked fish he wants!” Tim then takes the plate away.

They go up to meet with Braddock and it’s clear a court case will be needed to decide their dispute. Mr. Blackstone appears to be asleep in Crossit’s arms during this scene.

Braddock suggests they get something to eat in the saloon. Mr. Blackstone accompanies them to a table and eats with them.

Sometime Smith (Sheldon Leonard), who owns a rival saloon and is angry that Braddock stole his show girls out from under his nose, confronts Braddock and even shoots the contract, startling Crossit, Kate and Mr. Blackstone.

The next day the trial is held in the saloon with Judge Crossit presiding. He holds Mr. Blackstone during the proceedings.

It soon becomes clear that Crossit has no intention of aiding Kate in her case as he is also representing Braddock.

The trial is a complete mockery and Kate finally loses her temper and demands her money back from Crossit, pointing a gun at him. A cute bit of adlibbing takes place when Mr. Blackstone paws at the butt of the gun and Crossit says, “No, no, that’s dangerous!”

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): From this point on Mr. Blackstone mysteriously disappears from the proceedings. Only Crossit gathering up smoked fish from the bar during a brawl indicates the cat is even around. But at the end of the film Crossit, Kate and Braddock are outside what was the saloon and hear mewing. They look down to see Mr. Blackstone with five kittens (in a very blurry shot which looks like it was taken through a bottle!) “Mr. . . . Mrs. Blackstone!” Crossit exclaims, “You told me you were the only cat in the Klondike!”

Final Mewsings: Cats who study law know they should not have to purchase beer to receive complimentary fish!

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