Land of the Open Range (1942)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Edward Killy

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

Synopsis: Deputy Dave Walton (Tim Holt) faces an unusual problem when a wealthy landowner dies and bequeaths his property holdings to any former criminal who wishes to stake a claim, setting off a land rush made up of mostly less-than-honest thugs.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): During the reading of the will, Dave hears a black cat meowing at his feet and picks up the animal, cradling the kitty on his lap.

Land of the Open Range - Dave Walton Tim Holt sitting with black cat Lucifer on his lap with Sheriff Jack Holmes

The deceased man’s lawyer, Gill Carse (Roy Barcroft) reads in the will that the man has left his black cat Lucifer to him. With a smirk, Dave obligingly places the cat on the man’s desk.

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer being placed on desk of Gill Carse Roy Barcroft

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer on desk of Gill Carse Roy Barcroft

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer being placed on desk of Gill Carse Roy Barcroft animated gif

Carse continues, ” . . . in the fond hope that Lucifer will bring his new owner the kind of luck he richly deserves.”

With a clap of thunder Lucifer jumps down off the desk.

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer jumping off desk of Gill Carse Roy Barcroft with Dave Walton Tim Holt and Sheriff Jack Holmes

Dave’s sidekick Smokey (Ray Whitley) talks petty thief Pinky (Hobart Cavanaugh) into breaking into Carse’s office and safe to find out information about a dam the man is planning to build. Once inside the office, Smokey nervously points out a pair of eyes shining in the dark.

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer eyes glowing in dark

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer eyes glowing in dark animated gif

Pinky raises his lamp to show that it is Lucifer the cat, who jumps down from a shelf. Smokey is scared of the cat because of the bad luck he supposedly brings. Moments later Smokey steps on Lucifer, who screeches off screen (the step on the cat is not shown), and sends Smokey tumbling.

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer on top of shelf

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer jumping off shelf spotted by Smokey Ray Whitley and Pinky Hobart Cavanaugh animated gif

At the end of the film Dave realizes that Lucifer the cat has been locked up in Carse’s office for some time and instructs Smokey to go let him out. Smokey reluctant complies, going into the office where he starts looking around in the dark for Lucifer. He sees a picture of the deceased land owner and hears a strange moaning (which is Pinky moaning in his sleep nearby). Smokey knocks into the window, causing the shade to go up, then falls across a desk. Lucifer is watching from above and leaps down onto Smokey’s back, sending the man into a panic.

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer jumping on the back of Smokey Ray Whitley

Land of the Open Range - black cat Lucifer jumping on the back of Smokey Ray Whitley animated gif

Smokey crashes through the door and runs away down the street with Lucifer (now played by an obviously fake cat) clinging to his shoulders, much to the amusement of Dave and his friends.