The Comic (1969)

Directed by: Carl Reiner

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

Synopsis: The story of a silent film comedian named Billy Bright (Dick van Dyke) is told via flashbacks.

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): In one scene Billy is filming one of his shorts with his comedic partner Cockeye (Mickey Rooney), both acting inebriated. As Billy tries to climb a flight of stairs, a tabby and white cat stands on a pedestal in the background.

The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke climbing stairs with Cockeye Mickey Rooney and cat behind
The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke climbing stairs with Cockeye Mickey Rooney and cat behind
The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke climbing stairs with Cockeye Mickey Rooney and cat behind
The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke climbing stairs with Cockeye Mickey Rooney and cat behind animated gif

The director calls cut when Billy falls and Billy gets angry, storming off the set. Amazingly the cat appears to stop acting as well and is sitting patiently on the pedestal.

The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke storming off set with Cockeye Mickey Rooney and cat behind

Later Billy’s friends are looking for him in a hotel room in Mexico. Just before the door is open, the manager explains Billy is on his honeymoon. When the door opens we see Billy lying unconscious on the bed with a ginger tabby cat licking his face.

The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke on bed with ginger cat licking his face
The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke on bed with ginger cat licking his face
The Comic - Billy Bright Dick van Dyke on bed with ginger cat licking his face animated gif

Cartoon Cat: Billy is watching a Krazy Kat cartoon called The Autograph Hunter on television.

The Comic - clip of Krazy Kat cartoon The Autograph Hunter on tv

Final Mewsings: Cats can be natural comics.

Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cats in this film!

Relevant Links:

IMDb logo
tcmlogo
Amazon logo




To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Share this with your cat and movie loving friends!