The Neanderthal Man (1953)

The Neanderthal Man poster

Global Productions
Starring:
 Robert Shayne, Joyce Terry, Richard Crane
Directed by: E.A. Dupont

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

Synopsis: Professor Clifford Groves (Robert Shayne) wants to prove his theory that Neanderthal Man had advantages over modern man and goes about it by scientifically becoming a Neanderthal himself.

Featured Feline: Professor Groves perfected his formula by experimenting on cats, most of whom passed away after being injected (fortunately this is only discussed and not seen).  When the formula works, it changes the cats into saber-toothed tigers.  Throughout the film a long-haired grey cat is seen in a crate in the Professor’s laboratory (although sometimes it appears to be a tabby Maine Coon).

The Neanderthal Man - long-haired gray cat in crate

The Neanderthal Man - tabby Maine Coon cat in crate

The poor cat has been so traumatized that it reacts with yowls even when the Professor injects himself. The cat actor appears to be genuinely scared or teased to get this reaction (although it’s clear in one shot that the door to the crate isn’t even locked!)

The Neanderthal Man - scared long-haired gray cat in crate

The Professors housekeeper, Celia (Tandra Quinn), comes into the lab to feed the cat.

The Neanderthal Man - Celia Tandra Quinn feeding tabby Maine Coon cat in crate

In the beginning of the film one of these cat experiments breaks out of the lab and starts to terrorize the vicinity.  Most of the shots of the animal are of a regular tiger running around but there is a quick inserted close-up shot of the supposed saber-toothed face.  Apparently this is what happens to the cats when they run afoul of Professor Groves.

The Neanderthal Man - close up of fake saber toothed tiger

Final Mewsings: It shouldn’t happen to a cat.


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