by Mark Murton

Directed by: Edward F. Cline

Synopsis: Enjoyable parody of old fashioned morality tales with knowingly broad performances from the excellent cast. The story concerns the widow Wilson (Margaret Hamilton) and her daughter Mary (Anita Louise) who have just learned that old Mr. Middleton, who held the mortgage on their home, has passed away. They are now visited by Middleton’s lawyer, Silas Cribbs (Alan Mowbray), who informs them that Middleton’s son and heir Edward plans to foreclose and take possession of their home. When Mary goes to plead with Edward, she soon discovers that it is really the unscrupulous Cribbs who wants to drive them out of their home. When Mary and Edward become engaged to be married, it looks as if all is well. But the calculating Cribbs has a new plan, which begins with luring young Edward into a lifestyle of drinking and debauchery.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Things start with an address from a stage where we are informed we are about to see a film about the evils of drink after which viewers are encouraged to sign the pledge. We are also invited to applaud the noble characters and hiss the villain as is customary in classic melodrama. A screen descends and the film begins, opening with Mary Wilson and her mother in their cottage, Mary playing the harp while her mother sits in a rocking chair knitting. A tabby cat sits on the floor near the chair with one of the rockers rhythmically brushing its lower back causing it to wag its tail in annoyance. Thankfully this common comedy gag does not play out to the usual conclusion and the cat’s tail is spared being caught under the chair’s runner.

Soon Cribbs arrives and informs the pair they must vacate their home. As he leaves we cut to the cat crouched on the floor.

The tabby arches its back in anger after the departing Cribbs, providing the previously requested “hiss!” to the scoundrel’s exit.

Once he has gone we cut back to the cat who is calm again.

Even though the cat’s part was minimal, the feline thespian was still singled out for praise by Amy H. Croughton, who stated in her review for the film, “Nor should the comedy cat be forgotten.”

Final Mewsings: Now if cats could only shout “boo!” as well.

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