Niagara Falls (1941)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Gordon Douglas

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

Synopsis: Sam Sawyer (Slim Summerville) and his patient girlfriend-now-wife Emmy (Zasu Pitts) have finally gotten married and are on their honeymoon, but things don’t go as Emmy hopes when a series of misunderstandings causes Sam to take it upon himself to make sure a quarreling young couple (Marjorie Woodworth and Tom Brown) kiss and make up, not realizing the pair are not only not married but are only casual acquaintances who actively despise each other.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Sam is crawling along a ledge of the hotel after having paid another unwelcome visit to the young couple’s room. A black cat (with a very unrealistic dubbed over meow) just happens to be hanging out on the ledge and blocks his way.

Niagara Falls - Sam Slim Summerville on hotel ledge with black cat

Sam tries to shoo the cat away but the cat won’t budge. So he crawls by the cat who growls at him (also unrealistically dubbed over).

Niagara Falls - Sam Slim Summerville on hotel ledge with black cat animated gif

Later Emmy is patiently awaiting Sam’s return. When he comes in, he calls from the other room and so she prepares herself in a sexy pose on a lounge chair. Only the black cat is now in their room and comes in through the door instead of Sam.

Niagara Falls - black cat entering hotel room

Emmy is looking the other way as the cat climbs up beside her.

Niagara Falls - Emmy Zasu Pitts lying on lounge chair with black cat climbing up

Niagara Falls - Emmy Zasu Pitts lying on lounge chair with black cat climbing up beside her animated gif

The cat starts licking Emmy’s face (undoubtedly enticed by some kind of foodstuff placed there). Emmy believes it is Sam being frisky and comments that he hasn’t shaved. “But I love you just the same!” she coos.

Niagara Falls - Emmy Zasu Pitts lying on lounge chair with black cat licking her face

As she turns to kiss Sam she is startled by the cat and tells it to “Scat!” The cat runs off with another unrealistic meow.

Niagara Falls - Emmy Zasu Pitts startled at sight of black cat licking her face

Niagara Falls - Emmy Zasu Pitts startled by black cat licking her face animated gif

After Sam finally enters the room he notices the young couple sitting apart in the suite across from theirs and sits down to watch them. Emmy goes to bed but is startled when she finds the black cat under the covers. The cat lets out a Poor Cat Screech before running off, never to return.