Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937)

Directed by: Norman Foster

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

Synopsis: Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre) tries to intercept a priceless scroll before a gang of ruthless thieves can get hold of it and unlock its secrets.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Mr. Moto’s black cat Chunkina (the subtitles spell it Chunqina but all online sources spell it with a ‘k’) travels along with him this time and is seen twice in Moto’s hotel room. The first time is near the beginning of the film when Mr. Moto enters the room in disguise. After removing the makeup, he talks to his valet while the cat jumps up nearby.

Thank You, Mr. Moto - Mr. Moto Peter Lorre looking at black cat Chunkina on desk with valet
Thank You, Mr. Moto - Mr. Moto Peter Lorre looking at black cat Chunkina on desk with valet

Mr. Moto picks up Chunkina and carries her over to a chair where he sits down and looks over an invitation.

Thank You, Mr. Moto - Mr. Moto Peter Lorre holding black cat Chunkina
Thank You, Mr. Moto - Mr. Moto Peter Lorre reading invitation in chair with black cat Chunkina
Thank You, Mr. Moto - Mr. Moto Peter Lorre reading invitation in chair with black cat Chunkina

Later in the film a man is ransacking Mr. Moto’s hotel room. He shines a flashlight down upon Chunkina who is questioning the man’s presence.

Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina looking up

The man hides when Mr. Moto enters, but Chunkina meows and walks around by the curtain where the man is hiding, alerting Mr. Moto to the man’s location.

Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina looking behind curtain
Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina looking behind curtain
Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina looking behind curtain

Chunkina then runs away and Mr. Moto takes advantage of the situation to further his investigation.

Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina running away from curtain as Mr. Moto Peter Lorre watches
Thank You, Mr. Moto - black cat Chunkina acting curious around curtain and alerting Mr. Moto Peter Lorre animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats make great sidekicks!

Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cat in this movie!

Relevant Links:

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