Willard (1971)

Willard poster

Bing Crosby Productions
Starring:
 Bruce Davison, Sondra Locke
Directed by: Daniel Mann

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

Synopsis: Socially awkward Willard Stiles (Bruce Davison) befriends and trains an ever-growing army of rats which he ultimately uses against his enemies.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): One of the only people Willard likes is a co-worker named Joan (Sondra Locke). One day she takes him out to his car to give him a surprise. He is indeed surprised when he sees an adorable little orange tabby cat on a leash in his back seat.

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe in back seat of car

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe in back seat of car

Joan explains that the cat’s name is Chloe and she bought her from a pet shop for Willard so he wouldn’t be lonely. The look on Willard’s face says it all.

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Joan suggests dropping Chloe off at Willard’s house. As they are driving there, Chloe starts clawing at Willard’s briefcase in the back seat. Willard’s rats, Socrates and Ben, are inside the briefcase.

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe clawing at briefcase in back seat of car

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe clawing at briefcase in back seat of car

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe clawing at briefcase in back seat of car

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe clawing at briefcase in back seat of car

When they reach Willard’s house he finds a notice on the door saying his house is going to be sold to pay owed taxes. He is reading the notice and absent-mindedly hands his briefcase to Joan, who is holding Chloe. When the cat meows Willard remembers and quickly takes the briefcase back.

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard drives Joan to her home with Chloe in the backseat still nosing the briefcase.

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe nosing briefcase in back seat of car

Willard drops Joan off and she reminds him to take good care of Chloe. Willard is looking at the cat clawing at the briefcase and assures Joan, “Oh, I’ll take care of her all right.”

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard - Joan Sandra Locke holding orange tabby cat Chloe with Willard Bruce Davison

Willard - orange tabby cat Chloe nosing briefcase in back seat of car

In the next scene Willard drives up to a phone booth where a man is talking on the phone. Willard hands Chloe to the man and says, “Do you mind holding this for a minute?” He then drives away, leaving the confused man holding Chloe.

Willard - man in phone booth holding orange tabby cat Chloe

Willard - man in phone booth holding orange tabby cat Chloe

Final Mewsings: This is one cat who was lucky to be abandoned!


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