Directed by: W.S. Van Dyke
Synopsis: Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) go to the horse races but they end up being pulled into a new mystery when a jockey is murdered in the locker room.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): This is the movie which fueled my desire to blog about screen cats in the first place. The black kitten which shows up unexpectedly in this film is the perfect example of how cats can impact a film. It’s a throwaway gag . . . when Nick arrives at the jockey’s locker room at night, Asta rushes in before him as Nick explains to a man outside that Asta isn’t afraid of anything. When Asta enters, a tiny kitten is sitting on a shelf and mews at him causing Asta to whimper and run in fear.
The kitten again scares Asta with a tiny, little hiss on the way out.
It’s a classic Cinema Cats moment. There is no reason whatsoever for the kitten to be alone in this locker room sitting on a shelf when Asta comes in and when he leaves. But it is simply the most adorable little kitten ever and the fact that Asta is afraid of it is hilarious. It’s overlooked gems like this which deserve to be recognized for the classic little film moments they are.
Final Mewsings: Probably the only time Asta has ever been upstaged on screen!
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