The Cat That Walked by Himself (1982)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Sheila Graber

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

Synopsis: An animated adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling Just So Story which explains why cats retain a streak of wildness about them.

Cartoon Cat: The opening segment shows the various animals covered in the Just So Stories, including the cat, who prances around the Rudyard Kipling credit.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat walking across Rudyard Kipling name in credits

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat

The story follows Man when he was first living alone in caves and is then tamed by Woman, who uses her voice and magic to entice the other wild animals, dog, horse and cow, to serve man in exchange for food. The cat, who is also wild, is intrigued by man but repeatedly scoffs as each of the other animals so readily agree to Woman’s offer.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat walking across caveman

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat looking angry at wild dog

The cat is interested in the warm cave, fire and milk but Woman has no need of more servants, plus cat has no desire to serve Man, as he is “the cat who walks by myself and all places are alike to me.”

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat crouching behind rock

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat looking at cave woman

Eventually Woman agrees that if she says three things in praise of the cat he will win the things he desires. The cat manages to win the first praise by comforting their baby and offering him something soft to touch.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat rubbing against woman's legs

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat tickling baby in crib

The cat then plays with some yarn and acts adorable, entertaining the baby, and wins the second praise.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat playing with ball of yarn

Finally the cat catches a mouse and earns his third praise.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat catching mouse

But Man and Dog make their own bargain by which Man says he will throw things at the cat if he doesn’t do what he’s supposed to and Dog will chase the cat up a tree whenever they meet.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat with things thrown at him

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat chased onto table by dog

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat in tree

And to this day the cat remains a semi-wild creature.

The Cat That Walked by Himself - cartoon ginger tabby cat walking on rooftop

The way the cat is depicted and styled in this short makes it clear that animator Sheila Graber, who is probably most famous for animating the beloved Paddington series, is a lover of cats and this is evident when you visit her website.