When the Clouds Roll By (1919)

Oct 20, 2019

Directed by: Victor Fleming

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

Synopsis: Daniel Brown (Douglas Fairbanks) is a superstitious, nervous man who is manipulated by Dr. Ulrich Metz (Herbert Grimwood), an unscrupulous psychiatrist.

Kitty Cameos: Since Dr. Metz is literally trying to drive Daniel crazy, he exploits the man’s superstitions, one of which is about black cats crossing his path. A black cat is used on the title card to indicate something is about to happen in the next scene.

When the Clouds Roll By - black cat drawing on silent title card

As he prepares to enter a building, a black cat runs across Daniel’s path and up the front steps. Daniel then climbs up the side of a building to get inside, all to avoid walking where the cat has crossed in front of him.

When the Clouds Roll By - black cat runs across Daniel's Douglas Fairbank path
When the Clouds Roll By - black cat runs across Daniel's Douglas Fairbank path animated gif

Late in the film Daniel has overcome his fears and boldly leaps past the spot where two black cats have crossed.

When the Clouds Roll By - black cats on pier
When the Clouds Roll By - Daniel Douglas Fairbanks leaps past black cat on pier
When the Clouds Roll By - Daniel Douglas Fairbanks running past black cat on pier
When the Clouds Roll By - Daniel Douglas Fairbanks leaps past black cat on pier animated gif

Finally during a flood a black cat is seen standing on a floating board with some chickens.

When the Clouds Roll By - black cat floating on board with chickens

Final Mewsings: Cats bringing bad luck is all in the mind.

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