RKO Radio Pictures
Starring: Ginger Rogers, Robert Ryan, Ruth Hussey
Directed by: Edward Dmytryk

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

Synopsis: A group of military wives who are working in a Los Angeles factory to help out during the war decide to take a house together to share expenses and support one another through the duration.

Featured Feline: After the women move into the house they hear mice in the attic.  Shortly afterwards Barbara (Ruth Hussey) brings home a small black cat she’s named Hector to hunt the mice.

Doris (Kim Hunter) begs to hold Hector and Barbara consents but warns “No coddling!”

As the scene continues Hector seems to have disappeared.  But when Barbara’s date arrives (after an argument between the women about Barbara going out with anyone at all while her husband is serving) he makes a feeble joke.  Hector responds by arching his back and hissing at the man.

Later that night Jo (Ginger Roger) reflects on part of her life with her husband Chris (Robert Ryan).  When her reverie comes to an end she is sitting on her bed with Hector in her lap.  She picks him up to take him outside.

Near the end of the film Doris’ husband Mike (Richard Martin) arrives unexpectedly and the women make a fuss over him, cooking him all of their husbands’ favorite dishes including oysters and fish.  Unfortunately Mike cannot stomach seafood and so he suggests giving the oysters to Hector.  He calls to the cat who looks up from his chair and then scurries over.

Unfortunately for Mike, Hector doesn’t seem to care for oysters either and sniffs at one before walking away.

Final Mewsings: Cats did their part in the war effort, too!

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