by Linda Kay

Directed by: Josef von Sternberg

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

Synopsis: Down on the docks where dredge workers toil, a young man (George K. Arthur), a girl (Georgia Hale) and an orphan boy (Bruce Guerin) seek escape to a better life.

Kitty Cameo: The scavengers of the dock are given a brief spotlight and following footage of some seagulls a scrawny tabby cat is shown gnawing at some discarded fish tails.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): A black cat is held by the girl during her introductory scene.

In a long shot she drops the cat down and the kitty scurries ahead of her down a long set of steps.

The cat, used here as a metaphor, is discovered by the main trio inside a wooden storage box just before they make their break for freedom.

This was Josef von Sternberg’s first directorial job and the first of many times he would include a black cat in his movies.

Final Mewsings: Cats can help launch careers.

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