Original Air Date: December 25, 1953
Starring: Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Jane Morgan
Also Starring: Orangey
Directed by: Al Lewis

Synopsis: Schoolteacher Connie Brooks (Eve Arden) finds herself alone with Minerva the cat (Orangey) on Christmas Eve until a little boy sells her a magic Christmas tree and everyone suddenly shows up to visit, bearing gifts and some surprising behaviour.

Cinema Cat: Minerva, Mrs. Davis’ pet orange tabby cat, was a staple of this series back when it was a radio show and Minerva was a human voice saying “Meow!” in the most hilarious way.  Minerva was played in the television series by cat actor Orangey (who gained fame playing Rhubarb two years earlier in the film of the same name).  Oddly enough, in the television series Minerva’s meows are still provided by a human voice when a particular bit of comedic cat reaction is needed.

Minerva has a notable part in this episode when she keeps poking around the base of Connie’s sad-looking Christmas tree, nibbling on the pine needles.  Connie and Mrs. Davis speculate in so many words that the needle sap must be like alcohol to the cat, which seems to bear out later when Minerva is caught hiccuping.

When Mrs. Davis leaves, Miss Brooks is left alone with Minerva and picks her up several times to sit on her lap in the rocking chair.  The highlight of the episode is when Miss Brooks sings a carol while rocking with Minerva which goes something like this:

Minerva is present through much of the episode, usually seen sitting beneath the Christmas tree nibbling on the pine needles (or whatever treat Orangey’s trainer, Frank Inn, put beneath the tree to entice him to stay there.)

Eve Arden does an admirable job of holding Orangey throughout several scenes, stroking him to keep him settled on her lap even when he gets fidgety.

Final Mewsings: Now we know why cats can’t resist Christmas trees!

Relevant Links: