My Dog, the Thief (1969)

Directed by: Robert Stevenson

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

Synopsis: Originally a two-part film shown on Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. A St. Bernard named Barabbas (played by The Bernardiner Noel) has a tendency to steal things and get his new owner, helicopter traffic reporter Jack Crandall (Dwayne Hickman) into trouble.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Jack’s landlady, Mrs. Formby (Elsa Lanchester) has a strict no-dogs policy for her apartments. This is because her white Persian cat Cleopatra (which she pronounces Cleo-pay-tra) is allergic to dogs and will start sneezing whenever one is present.

My Dog, the Thief - Jack Dwayne Hickman listening in on Mrs. Formby Elsa Lanchester talking to Kim Mary Ann Mobley with white Persian cat Cleopatra
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra

Of course Mrs. Formby is explaining this to a new tenant right when Jack is trying to sneak Barabbas into the building under a cardboard box. Cleopatra starts to sneeze and Mrs. Formby becomes concerned.

My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra sneezing
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra sneezing animated gif
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra

At the end of the film, Mrs. Formby has not been able to find the dog she is sure Jack is hiding, so she shows Cleopatra a dog whistle which she will blow to reveal the canine. Instead numerous dogs come running into her apartment from all directions, causing poor Cleopatra to take shelter on top of a high shelf and sneeze miserably. Her series of sneezes are actually just two sneezes and then the film reversed to show them backwards.

My Dog, the Thief - Mrs. Formby Elsa Lanchester holding white Persian cat Cleopatra
My Dog, the Thief - Mrs. Formby Elsa Lanchester showing white Persian cat Cleopatra dog whistle
My Dog, the Thief - Mrs. Formby Elsa Lanchester showing white Persian cat Cleopatra dog whistle
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra on shelf
My Dog, the Thief - white Persian cat Cleopatra sneezing on shelf animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cat allergies are nothing to sneeze at!

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