Rosemary (1958)

by Ted Davis

Original Title: Das Madchen Rosemarie

Directed by: Rolf Thiele

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

Synopsis: In 1950s West Germany, social-climbing high-class whore Rosemarie Nitribitt (Nadja Tiller) learns the hard way that blackmailing your powerful and well-connected clients can be dangerous. Walter (Jo Herbst) and Horst (Mario Adorf) are lazy half-hearted pimps and even lesser musical talents who trail Rosemarie throughout her rise and fall, providing simplistic commentary via a handful of agonizing songs. Very loosely based on a series of real events.

Kitty Cameo: Early in the movie, in the rundown flat they share, Walter plays the accordion and sings, while directly outside the barred window, a young stressed tabby appears anxious to leave the area. The cat wears a collar, and it’s a reasonable assumption that he is a pet, rather than a street cat.

Rosemary - tabby cat sitting outside barred window
Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window with tabby cat outside

During the scene, Rosemary arrives, packs her bags and engages in a trifling confrontation with the boys, then departs for her new lodgings. As Rosemary walks out of sight, the cat reappears (or is rather pushed into view) then moves nervously from right to left, constantly checking the area for signs of danger.

Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window as Rosemary Nadja Tiller walks away and tabby cat
Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window as Rosemary Nadja Tiller walks away and tabby cat
Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window as Rosemary Nadja Tiller walks away and tabby cat passes animated gif

It doesn’t help that a little girl trips and takes a complete face plant on the ground only a few feet away.

Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window as little girl approaches and tabby cat
Rosemary - Walter Jo Herbst playing accordian inside window as Rosemary Nadja Tiller walks away, little girl falls and tabby cat and Horst Mario Adorf passes animated gif

Final Mewsings: Clumsy children make nervous cats even more nervous.

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