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Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Alex Cressan
Directed by: John Berry
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: After being captured by a Dutch slave ship, captive Tamanga (Alex Cressan) tries to lead a revolt to gain freedom for his fellow slaves.
Featured Feline: The ship’s bosun named Bebe (Roger Hanin) owns a tabby cat and is seen holding her in several scenes. Bebe is holding the cat just before one of the slaves supposedly tries to jump overboard.
After the unrest is squelched, Bebe finds his cat and picks her up, cooing to her and asking, “Hey Pussycat, pussycat, what’s the matter, huh? What’re are ya doin’, huh? What’re you lookin’ for?” He then hands the cat to another sailor before going to tell the captain what has happened.
Later Bebe is holding the cat when he gives one of the slaves some tobacco.
The cat is also seen on the table where the officers are eating as they discuss how Bebe has gone missing.
In fact, Bebe has been killed in the galley by the men after he discovers they have been trying to escape. Unable to dispose of the bosun’s body, they manage to pry up some boards where they hide him. The sound of Bebe’s cat can be heard meowing and the slaves find her under the boards with the body. One of the men picks up the cat and holds her to try to keep her quiet.
One of the crew eventually goes down into the hold to try to find out what has happened to Bebe and sees the slave holding the cat. He accuses them of knowing what has happened to the bosun. After this the cat is not seen again.
Final Mewsings: Cats don’t voluntarily work on slave ships.
Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cat in this movie!
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