The Small Back Room (1949)

The Small Back Room poster

Also Known As: Hour of Glory
London Film Productions
Starring:
 David Farrar, Kathleen Byron
Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

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

Synopsis: Sammy Rice (David Farrar) is an embittered munitions expert who battles alcohol and drug dependency while helping to unravel the science behind deadly trigger bombs the Germans are dropping around the U.K.

Featured Feline: Sammy and his girlfriend and co-worker Susan (Kathleen Byron) spend much time together in Sammy’s flat and own a white cat named Snowball. Snowball is first seen when Susan tries ringing the flat to reach Sammy, who is at the pub.

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat sitting on chair

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat still sitting on chair

In a later scene, Sammy and Susan return home and start to make love. Snowball is sitting on the chair and sits up when she hears the key in the lock.

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat waking up

Susan greets Snowball and then throws her coat down on the chair beside the cat.

The Small Back Room - Susan Kathleen Byron and Sammy David Farrar looking down at Snowball white cat on chair

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat looking at coat on chair

The Small Back Room - coat being thrown down beside Snowball white cat animated gif

Snowball is seen licking her paws in another scene when Sammy is waiting for Susan and battling his demons.

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat lying on chair

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat grooming animated gif

After Sammy and Susan have a fight in a club, Susan goes home without him. When Sammy comes home he finds Susan sitting on the chair with Snowball on the floor beside her.

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat sitting on floor beside Susan Kathleen Byron

Susan moves out without letting Sammy know and he calls for her, then calls for Snowball. The cat’s bowl of milk has been left untouched and Sammy kicks it over in frustration. But at the end of the film Susan has moved back in and Snowball is back on her chair, preening again.

The Small Back Room - Snowball white cat licking paw on chair

Final Mewsings: It especially hurts when your girlfriend leaves and takes the cat.

Many thanks to Ted Davis for recommending this film to us!


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