by Ted Davis
Directed by: Servando Gonzalez
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: In this coming of age story set in the rural South after the Civil War, young George Mellish (Edward Albert) runs away from an abusive home and meets up with strange and unpredictable Milo Bogardus (Anthony Perkins) in the course of his journeys.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): During the dusty unhygienic idyll at the dilapidated home owned by the perfectly named Dirty Jim Jelliman (Henry Hull), a tabby cat snarls and jumps from a shelf as a means to an introduction to George, who’s eating cornpone and molasses at table.
George pets the cat as Dirty Jim whoops with delight and appreciation because his cantankerous cat doesn’t usually take to strangers. The poor cat actor is panting and clearly stressed.
Later, the tabby is more comfortable and relaxed watching Jim and George chase a young pig throughout the house, and is awarded a nice closeup.
George snuggles in bed with the infinitely more at ease and dozing kitty as Dirty Jim relates an unsettling bedtime story about The Fool Killer, a legendary 8’ foot giant with a propensity for lopping off the heads of folks unlucky enough to cross his path after committing even the mildest of sins.
Final Mewsings: The cat would have been a more stable and reliable traveling companion than the volatile Bogardus.
Many thanks to Mark Murton and Brian H. for also letting us know about the cat in this film.
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