The Lost Moment (1947)

by Ted Davis

Directed by: Martin Gabel

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

Synopsis: Publisher Lewis Venable (Robert Cummings) schemes to acquire the lost love letters of a 19th century poet who vanished under mysterious circumstances.

Kitty Cameos: In the mansion where Venable is lodging under false credentials, lowly maidservant Amelia (Joan Lorring) tends to her inside chores, accompanied by two young tabby cats. At the approach of Tina Bordereau (Susan Hayward), schizophrenic great-niece of ancient crone Juliana Bordereau (Agnes Moorehead), the original recipient of the letters, the cats scamper away to safety, hiding and taking shelter under a set of drapes.

The Lost Moment - two tabby cats beneath table
The Lost Moment - two tabby cats about to run out from beneath table
The Lost Moment - Amelia Joan Lorring looking tabby cats under table who run when Tina Susan Hayward enters room animated gif

After Tina departs the room and heads upstairs, Amelia bustles the kitties into the courtyard, and implores Venable not to tell Tina about them, for fear that the schizophrenic will hurt them while in her bad personality phase. In this scene one of the tabby cats appears to have turned into a bicolor tabby!

The Lost Moment - Amelia Joan Lorring trying to get tabby and tuxedo cats out of house
The Lost Moment - Amelia Joan Lorring helped by Venable Robert Cummings to get tabby and tuxedo cats out of house
The Lost Moment - Amelia Joan Lorring helped by Venable Robert Cummings to get tabby and tuxedo cats out of house
The Lost Moment - Amelia Joan Lorring helped by Venable Robert Cummings to get tabby and tuxedo cats out of house

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Later in the movie, during the night, Venable tracks a single vocal tabby cat across the grounds, up stairways and through corridors.

The Lost Moment - extreme close up of tabby cat
The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings turning to see extreme close up of tabby cat animated gif
The Lost Moment - tabby cat walking across room
The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings watching tabby cat walking up stairs

These scenes are particularly impressive because the cat actor is filmed with the actor in long shots. The cat often pauses and waits for Cummings to follow.

The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings following tabby cat
The Lost Moment - tabby cat walking through door
The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings following tabby cat up spiral staircase
The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings following tabby cat up spiral staircase animated gif
The Lost Moment - Venable Robert Cummings following tabby cat down corridor

They arrive in a distant, elegantly furnished apartment where Tina is playing the piano. Luckily, Tina is in her good phase and welcomes and caresses the cat. The cats are not seen again after this.

The Lost Moment - tabby cat entering room
The Lost Moment - Tina Susan Hayward holding tabby cat at piano
The Lost Moment - Tina Susan Hayward hugging tabby cat at piano

Final Mewsings: Don’t lose a moment to spend with your kitties!

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