by Ted Davis

Directed by: Robert Florey

Synopsis: Through a series of tragic and unfortunate incidents, newly arrived immigrant Janos Szabo (Peter Lorre) is transformed from a naive and gentle-souled watchmaker into an embittered and cold-hearted criminal mastermind, who hides his ruined features behind a creepy emotionless mask, and whose only redeeming qualities are his sustaining friendship with loyal Dinky (George E. Stone) and his abiding love for pure-hearted and conveniently blind Helen Williams (Evelyn Keyes).

Purr Blur: Desperate for shelter, Janos and Dinky try to get a room at a flea-ridden flophouse, but are given the bum’s rush by the surly manager (Al Bridge) of the establishment, who, although he’s mean to the woeful pair, is all the while holding and stroking his black cat.

Final Mewsings: Even toughened hardcases like the flop house manager can be softened by a sweet pussycat.

Relevant Links:

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