by Linda Kay
Original Title: Il tigre
Directed by: Dino Risi
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Middle-aged businessman Francesco (Vittorio Gassman) is seduced by the flamboyant young Carolina (Ann-Marget) into having an affair which causes him numerous bouts with his conscience.
Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): Early in the film Francesco is successful in resisting the amorous approaches of Carolina, but when he stops by her loft art studio she suddenly jumps into the shower to wash off the painted stripes on her body. Francesco, having thought this was actual clothing, starts to leave but finally gives in to temptation and comes running back. Two small tuxedo cats are watching the scene from an open skylight.
As Francesco leaps into the shower to start making love to Carolina, one cat comments (in Italian with a distinctive catness to the voice), “Mama! They’re filthy!” “Get away from there!” the mama cat scolds. (We suspect these are supposed to be a male and female cat couple as opposed to an actually mama and baby.)
Later Francesco and Carolina are having an argument in the loft. Once again the cats are watching from above. The male cat sighs, “What a bother!” while the female comments, “Mamma mia! What a night!” Carolina hears the cats above and throws a sponge at them while yelling, “All day long with the meowing! Get out of here, you miserable cats!” The cats are not actually in the scene for this latter shot.
Their argument subsides as Carolina starts watching a Beatles-style Italian rock group and gets sexually excited while Francesco imagines himself as the various band members. Caroline leaps on Francesco in a moment of unbridled excitement. The cats above are watching once again and they seem to have picked up on the carnal intensity as the scene ends with one cat biting the other on the head!
Final Mewsings: Not many animals can beat cats when it comes to carnal intensity.
Many thanks to Nick Wale for letting us know about the cats in this film.
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