by Mark Murton

Directed by: Michelle Deville

Synopsis: Minor French crime comedy in which small-time gangster Jo (Eddie Constantine) has the unfortunate gift of attracting bad luck to himself and his friends, consequently dooming their dishonest endeavours to failure and jail time. After his release from another term in prison, Jo’s friends make it clear they longer want to “work” with him, but one of them still can’t resist loaning his car to Jo . . . .

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): Leaving his hotel the morning after he had the time to get reacquainted with his girlfriend Mimi, Jo stops at the reception desk to speak to the proprietor (Marcelle Ranson-Hervé) who sits stroking a black cat sitting on the counter beside her (her other hand is holding the cat in place as it furiously waves its tail around in annoyance!).

Eventually she release her grip on the cat, which we now learn she calls “Napoleon”, allowing him to make his escape and reveal an important newspaper headline.

Seeking Jo, a police inspector (Jean Pierre Rambal) visits the hotel where Mimi lives and questions some of her friends, one of whom is hold an even feistier ginger tabby that hisses and spars at him.

Later the inspector visits Jo’s hotel to question the proprietor and this time it’s Napoleon’s turn to hiss and spar, which is understandable considering the man is wiggling his fingers in the poor cat’s face!

Final Mewsings: Some cats are just not ready for their close up.

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