The Crooked Way (1949)

Directed by: Robert Florey

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

Synopsis: World War II veteran Eddie Rice (John Payne) suffers from amnesia and goes looking for his past, only to find he had ties with underworld criminals in Los Angeles.

Featured Feline: The boss of the crime ring Eddie was connected with is named Vince (Sonny Tufts). One man who works for Vince is a meek and sickly fellow named Petey (Percy Helton) who is very close with his cat companion, Sampson, a large longhair tabby. Petey holds Sampson while meeting with Vince.

The Crooked Way - Vince Sonny Tufts with Petey Percy Helton holding longhair tabby cat Sampson

At one point Petey sets Sampson down on the desk. “Petey, get that cat off the desk!” Vince shouts.

The Crooked Way - Vince Sonny Tufts looking at longhair tabby cat Sampson on his desk

The Crooked Way - Petey Percy Helton setting longhair tabby cat Sampson on the desk of Vince Sonny Tufts animated gif

Petey says that he and Sampson could use a vacation but Vince doesn’t want them to leave town and tells them to stay quiet.

Late in the film Eddie visits the army surplus store where Petey is working. When he knocks on the door, Sampson looks up from his cat bed.

The Crooked Way - longhair tabby cat Sampson lying in box bed

The Crooked Way - longhair tabby cat Sampson looking up while lying in box bed

The Crooked Way - longhair tabby cat Sampson looking up from bed when shadow knocks on door animated gif

Petey knows that the cops are looking for Eddie and doesn’t want to let him in but Eddie threatens him. Petey lets him in but is nervous about Eddie being there, pointing out that Sampson isn’t feeling too well. When men come gunning for Eddie, he and Petey duck behind some crates. Sampson comes out of his box and makes his way to where Petey and Eddie are hiding.