Lionheart (1968)

Directed by: Michael Forlong

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

Synopsis: A young boy named Andrew (James Forlong) protects an escaped circus lion from the people who are hunting for him.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Andrew’s family owns a tabby and white cat who is sitting outside the house and does a double take when the lion first walks into the barn.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat on front step of house

The cat is still on the step in the morning right before the milkman comes.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat on front step of house

In an adorable scene, Andrew gets up early one morning and goes into the kitchen where he opens several cans of cat food. The tabby cat is watching with keen interest.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat looking up with interest
Lionheart - tabby and white cat watching boy opening can of cat food with interest animated gif

The mound of cat food on the plate must look like a feast to the tabby, who is surprised when Andrew passes him by and walks outside.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat looking as boy passes

Anxiously the cat follows Andrew to the barn. Andrew goes to the woodpile to climb up and enter the barn from above but the cat takes a shortcut through a hole, not realizing the lion is still inside.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat running after Andrew towards barn
Lionheart - tabby and white cat walking towards hole in barn door

The lion roars and the cat comes rushing out of the barn never to be seen again.

Lionheart - tabby and white cat running out of hole in barn door
Lionheart - tabby and white cat chasing after boy heading to barn then running out of hole in door quickly animated gif

Final Mewsings: Even hungry cats know an outsize kitty when they see one.

Many thanks to RobG and Mark Murton for letting us know about the cat in this film!

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