La traversée de Paris (1956)

by Linda Kay

English Title: The Crossing of Paris

Also Known As: Four Bags Full; Pigs Across Paris

Directed by: Claude Autant-Lara

Synopsis: During the German occupation of France during World War II, cab driver Marcel Martin (Bourvil) can only make a living by smuggling hard-to-come-by commodities such as pork. With four large suitcases containing portions of a prized pig needing transport across Paris, Marcel enlists the aid of an often boisterous and difficult stranger named Grandgil (Jean Gabin).

Purr Blur: As the men carry the bags through the dark streets, several dogs smell the meat and start chasing after them. To literally throw them off the scent, Grandgil gains access to the courtyard of an apartment complex and tricks the dogs into going inside (one he literally throws inside) before closing the gate. Inside the courtyard, the dogs bark and knock over trash cans. A tabby and white cat is standing near one of the cans, probably interrupted in his scrounging by the canines.

La Traversee de Paris - Four Bags Full - tabby and white cat and dogs in apartment courtyard

La Traversee de Paris - Four Bags Full - tabby and white cat and dogs in apartment courtyard animated gif

A man emerges from his apartment and is shocked to see the dogs. He grabs a broom and starts swiping at the mongrels, trying to push them out of the courtyard. What appears to be the same tabby cat as in the previous scene is now somehow inside one of the trash cans but at the first opportunity jumps out and makes a run to escape the chaos.