by Mark Murton
Original Title: Beyond this Place
Directed by: Jack Cardiff
Synopsis: A World War II evacuee, Paul Mathry (Van Johnson), returns to England after twenty years and finds his father has been in prison all this time for a murder for which the man may not be guilty.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Paul’s investigations lead him to the house where the murder took place. Mr. Prusty (Oliver Johnston), the landlord, agrees to show Paul the room in question, informing him that the space has barely been used since that night and so he has had the electricity cut off. Entering the dark room they are greeted by a cat’s cry, the owner of which Prusty identifies as “Tomkins” as he picks up the hefty tabby and white cat. “It’s the mice, you know,” Prusty explains, “He’s always after them up here. He’s a wonderful mouser. Caught a rat up here once as big as himself!” Mathry offers to hold Tomkins while Prusty lights the lamp.
As they talk about the events of the night of the murder Mathry stands holding the cat.
Eventually Mathry sits down, keeping the cat on his lap. Later he stands again as he tries to piece together the information Prusty is giving him.
When their conversation is over, Prusty extinguishes the lamp and takes back Tomkins, promising the cat a bowl of milk downstairs.
Final Mewsings: There’s a web of evidence that the presence of a cat always improves a film.
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