RKO Radio Pictures
Starring: Robert Montgomery, Carole Lombard, Gene Raymond, Jack Carson
Directed by: Alfred Hitchock
Synopsis: An unusual directorial turn for Hitchcock is this comedy piece in which Mr. David Smith (Robert Montgomery) and Mrs. Ann Smith (Carole Lombard) find out that due to a technical legan snafu their marriage certificate is not really valid. This comes on the heels of a long argument between the couple and may spell the end of their marriage if they can’t learn to love (and live with) one another again.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The highlight of the movie has to be when Mr. and Mrs. Smith go out to eat the night they learn that their marriage is invalid (although David doesn’t know that Ann knows.) They go to Momma Lucy’s Restaurant where they had their first date, only the restaurant has changed into a real dump since they’d last been. This includes a resident white cat which sits on the tables of the patrons and eats their food. The cat is first seen on the table of a tough-looking taxi driver (Frank Mills), eating the man’s food while his head is turned.
Realizing what is happening, the man swats the cat off the table.
Later when David and Ann are dining, David keeps going on about how the cat won’t eat his soup, speculating “This cat knows something!”
After putting the bowl under the cat’s nose and still not getting the cat to eat, David demands a stomach pump.
The proprietor of the restaurant (William Edmunds) approaches their table to relay a message. He comments about the cat, saying “I’m unlucky with cats here. The third cat this week.” David drops his fork and the man quickly adds, “They get run over. I think.”
This scene is easily one of the highlights of the film. It’s very possible the cat actor is Whitey, but this has not been confirmed.
Final Mewsings: When a cat won’t eat your soup, it’s time to try another restaurant.
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