Scrooged (1988)

Scrooged poster

Paramount Pictures
Starring:
 Bill Murray, Robert Mitchum, Maria Riva
Directed by: Richard Donner

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

Synopsis: An updated version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol finds TV executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray) visited by spirits who try to urge him to change his self-centered ways.

Scrooged - two white Angora cats looking at television

Cat Cattle Call: The network’s head man is Preston Rhinelander (Robert Mitchum) who in an early scene suggests that Frank think about programming specifically aimed at pets, especially cats. He suggests somehow including mice in the live worldwide telecast of Scrooge they are going to broadcast. On the night of the live show, Preston is sitting at home with his wife (Maria Riva). It is clear now why he was so interested in programming for cats, as the Rhinelanders own many of them.

Scrooged - cats standing beside TV set

Scrooged - cat in foreground with Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva with cats on bookcase behind them

The cats are placed all around the living room. A couple of white Angoras seem especially interested when the mice wearing tiny antlers appear on the TV screen.

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva and multiple cats in living room

Scrooged - two white Angora cats looking at television

When Frank bursts in on the live broadcast the Rhinelanders and the cats all seem surprised.

Scrooged - tabby cat looking at Frank Bill Murray on television

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva on couch with cats around them

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva on couch with cats around them

Implied Kitty Carnage Warning!  Preston calls the station to ask what’s happening and is told something shocking by Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldwaithe). In anger, Preston kicks out and we hear a cat screech, but the sound is superimposed and it doesn’t appear that he actually kicked anywhere near a cat.

Scrooged - cats by TV with Frank Bill Murray on screen

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva on couch with cats around them

During the end credits we see Mr. and Mrs. Rhinelander dancing with the cats in the background.

Scrooged - Preston Rhinelander Robert Mitchum and Maria Riva dancing with cats around them

Final Mewsings: Cats watch TV, they just don’t fill out Nielson surveys.


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