The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Starring: Orangey

Directed by: Jack Arnold

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

Synopsis: Based on Richard Matheson’s novel (with a screenplay by Matheson himself.) Scott Carey (Grant Williams) is out for a boat ride with his wife Louise (Randy Stuart) when he is exposed to a strange cloud filled with radioactive materials. Later he is accidentally sprayed with pesticides and from then on he notices that he seems to be growing smaller. Doctors scramble to find both the cause and the cure, but will they be able to stop Scott from shrinking in time?

Featured Feline: The Careys own a ginger tabby cat named Butch. He first appears when Louise puts out some milk for him after the milkman delivers.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Louise Randy Stuart feeding ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey

Butch is lying on the bed when Scott sits next to him and assures the cat that everything will be all right.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams sitting on bed next to ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey

Louise is holding Butch when it is revealed that Scott has shrunk to the size of a small child.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Louise Randy Stuart petting ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey

Later the cat is lying on an ottoman playing with a ball of yarn which rolls across the room to the feet of Scott who is now even smaller.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams looking at ball of yarn batted across room by ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey animated gif

Butch moves to a chair as Louise and Scott argue.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams standing by large furniture with ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey on chair

When Scott has reduced to the size of a rat, he takes up residence in a doll house situated in the living room. One night Louise goes out but accidentally turns her back on the open front door and Butch sneaks inside the house.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey running in through open front door

Louise leaves and Scott has no idea the cat is outside the doll house.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams lying inside doll house with ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey outside window
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams lying inside dollhouse with giant ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey outside window animated gif
The Incredible Shrinking Man - ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey sniffing outside dollhouse

Scott hears a strange scratching and, picking up a makeshift knife, listens at the front door of his dollhouse before opening it. He is confronted by the enormous face of Butch yowling.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams opening door to face of giant yowling ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams opening door to find giant snarling face of ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey animated gif

Slamming the door shut, Scott backs away only to have Butch claw at him through a window.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams being clawed by ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey through window
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams being clawed through window by ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey animated gif

Butch starts to push his way into the back of the doll house so Scott makes a run through the front door to the shelter of a chair leg.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams looking at giant ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey pushing way behind doll house
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams hiding behind chair leg with ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey in background

Scott tries to run away but Butch spots him and takes chase.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams running with giant ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey in background

Butch manages to knock Scott down then sits nearby, striking out when Scott tries to move away.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams menaced by ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey
The Incredible Shrinking Man - ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey yowling close up
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams being batted at by ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey animated gif

Thinking quickly, Scott grabs the cord of a lamp and pulls it down, scaring Butch away for a moment.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey startled by falling lamp

Scott runs through the door to the basement but cannot get down the stairs. He attempts to close the door behind him but Butch fights to get through the door.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams trying to close large door against ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams trying to close large door against ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey
The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams trying to close basement door against ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey animated gif

As Louise walks through the front door, the cat is distracted and pushes the door open, knocking Scott down into a laundry hamper in the basement. She finds the moved doll house, fallen lamp and a piece of bloody clothing then spots Butch licking his lips and paw nearby. Of course she assumes the worst and Butch is not seen again.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey in living room

Behind the Scenes

Butch was played by screen veteran Orangey or, to be more precise, members of the Orangey team under the tutelage of trainer Frank Inn. The docile Butch appears to have been played by the team member we often refer to as Minerva (because of their regular role as the cat Minerva in Our Miss Brooks).

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Louise Randy Stuart hugging ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey

Another Orangey team member pushed their way behind the doll house. Most of the up-close snarling was performed by a team member with noticeably longer fur. Yet another member had a very dark and distinct classic tabby pattern. But all together the cats created a very memorable performance.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - different members of Orangey team
The various Orangey team members who performed different tasks while playing the part of Butch.

A combination of rear projection, as well as some film matting techniques and giant props, helped to sell the illusion of Scott being attacked by his once-loving pet.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - Scott Carey Grant Williams running away from giant ginger tabby cat Butch Orangey publicity photo

The scene with the cat was often regarded as the most chilling part of the film, and singled out in newspaper promotions for the movie.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - newspaper promotion for film

The menacing cat also figured prominently on lobby cards and posters for the film.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - newspaper print ad
The Incredible Shrinking Man - color lobby cards featuring cat
The Incredible Shrinking Man - black and white movie poster
The Incredible Shrinking Man - movie poster

Final Mewsings: When a cat comes calling at your dollhouse, don’t open the door!

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