The Shop at Sly Corner (1947)

by Mark Murton and Linda Kay

Original Title: Code of Scotland Yard

Directed by: George King

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

Synopsis: French antique dealer Descius Heiss (Oskar Homolka) lives a comfortable life in London. He cares only for his daughter Margaret (Muriel Pavlow), who is trying to become a professional concert violinist. When his obnoxious shop assistant, Archie Fellowes (Kenneth Griffith), discovers that much of his money comes from fencing stolen goods he attempts to blackmail Heiss, which threatens to reveal other long-hidden secrets.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): As Heiss and a select band of friends sit listening to Margaret playing her violin, a cute black kitten is sitting on Heiss’s lap.

The Shop at Sly Corner - Heiss Oskar Homolka with black kitten on lap listening to Margaret Muriel Pavlow play violin

But in the next shot of Heiss the kitten is suddenly sitting on the back rest of his armchair!

The Shop at Sly Corner - Heiss Oskar Homolka with black kitten sitting on back of chair

The kitten attempts to climb down onto Heiss’s lap over his right shoulder . . .

. . . before retreating and climbing down the man’s left arm.

The Shop at Sly Corner - Heiss Oskar Homolka with black kitten on back of chair climbing down arm

The Shop at Sly Corner - Heiss Oskar Homolka with black kitten on back of chair trying to climbing down arm animated gif

At which point Heiss relents and gently takes hold of the cat.

The Shop at Sly Corner - Heiss Oskar Homolka holding black kitten

The kitten remains with him happily until the phone rings and Heiss gets up to answer it, putting the furball back on the top of the chair.

The Shop at Sly Corner - black kitten sitting on back of chair

The kitten next appears drinking some milk as Fellowes enters the premises through the kitchen. Just to torment the cat Fellowes scoops up the saucer before being admonished by Mrs. Catt (Kathleen Harrison), the housekeeper.

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith looking at black kitten with saucer of milk on floor

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith holding saucer of milk high above black kitten

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith lifting saucer of milk high above black kitten animated gif

When an elderly woman (Katie Johnson) comes into the shop to sell a music box for much-needed money, Fellowes tries to cheat her out of a fair price. She decides to ask Heiss instead. Fellowes reluctantly takes the box in to Heiss. The black kitten is playing with a little wadded ball of paper on the man’s desk as they discuss the situation. Heiss even gives the kitten a little poke as he gets up to retrieve the money from his safe.

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith approaching desk with black kitten on it

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith and Heiss Oskar Homolka at desk with black kitten playing

The Shop at Sly Corner - Fellowes Kenneth Griffith and Heiss Oskar Homolka at desk with black kitten playing with ball of paper animated gif

The kitten makes one final appearance when Heiss is discussing his latest illegal acquisitions with cat burglar Corder Morris (Manning Whiley) and they are surprised by a noise from the shop floor. Going to investigate, they find the kitten sitting on the feet of a suit of armour.