Nijinksy (1980)

by Mark Murton

Directed by: Herbert Ross

Synopsis: Biopic charting the rise and fall of legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (George de la Peña) through his relationship with mentor Sergei Diaghilev (Alan Bates) and his marriage to fellow ballet star Romola de Pulsky (Leslie Browne).

Kitty Cameos: Determined to make it as dancer, Romola de Pulsky arranges an introduction to famed teacher Maestro Cecchetti (Anton Dolin). As she presents herself a black cat appears around her legs, circling back to exit.

Nijinsky - black cat behind Romola's legs

Nijinsky - black cat walking around Romola's legs

Pulling back into a wider shot shows Cecchetti sitting in a chair with a longhair tuxedo cat on his lap. Attracted by the sound of Signora Cecchetti (Olga Lowe) placing a tea tray on the table the black cat comes back into the room.

Nijinsky - black cat walking around Romola's legs animated gif

Nijinsky - Cecchetti Anton Dolin in chair with longhair tuxedo cat on lap and Romola Leslie Browne with black cat between

As the black cat turns away again a third cat, a fluffy tabby, can briefly be seen on the floor behind Romola.

Nijinsky - Cecchetti Anton Dolin in chair with longhair tuxedo cat on lap and Romola Leslie Browne with black cat between and longhair tabby behind

Cecchetti now stands up from his chair and goes towards Romola, dropping the cat on the floor in the process (complete with a dubbed-on half-hearted meow of disapproval from the cat).