The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966)

by Linda Kay

This review contains a Kitty Carnage Warning for rough handling!

Directed by: Norman Jewison

Synopsis: While vacationing on a U.S. East Coast island, writer Walt Whittaker (Carl Reiner) and his family are surprised when a Russian submarine runs aground and they are confronted by the group, led by Lieutenant Rozanov (Alan Arkin), who have been sent to find a way to escape their situation without alerting the authorities.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Late in the film Whittaker, along with the town’s phone operator Alice (Tessie O’Shea), have been tied up by the Russians and are lying on the street. His wife, Elspeth (Eva Marie Saint) and son Pete (Sheldon Golomb) run to their aid and are soon joined by a man (Larry D. Mann) who comes running up to also assist. For some reason he is carrying a ginger and white tabby cat, which he then drops to the ground (way too roughly . . . the poor kitty’s chin actually hits the ground!). The cat, confused, saunters slowly out of frame.

The Russians Are Coming - ginger and white tabby cat being carried into scene by Larry D. Mann
The Russians Are Coming - ginger and white tabby cat on ground next to Larry D. Mann
The Russians Are Coming - ginger and white tabby cat walking away from Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint and Larry D. Mann
The Russians Are Coming - ginger and white tabby cat being carried into scene, thrown down then walking away from Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint and Larry D. Mann animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cat actors are not props to be thrown around!

Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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