by Mark Murton
Directed by: Charles Jarrot
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: In 1897 New York, unemployed Irish immigrant James O’Hanlan (Richard Thomas) desperately seeks work to provide for his family. Meanwhile, as newspaper writer Francis Church (Bronson) struggles with the death of his wife, he is given the task of answering a question submitted by a little girl — O’Hanlan’s daughter Virginia (Katharine Isabelle) — as to whether Santa Claus really exists. Based (very loosely) on a true story.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): O’Hanlan is in his usual spot at the rear of O’Hara’s Pub waiting for the previous day’s newspaper to be put out with the rubbish so he can read the Help Wanted ads. As he tries to keep warm he hears the unmistakable crying of a cat nearby. Smiling, he moves towards the sound as a gray tabby kitten emerges from behind some barrels.
Picking up the kitten O’Hanlan declares, “Looks like you and me could both do with a friend right now. What do you say, Tommy, shall we be friends?”
Suddenly a crashing behind them sends the cat leaping from his arms and O’Hanlan turns to see a thief running from the premises. O’Hanlan tackles the thief and holds on to him until the police arrive. The grateful bar owner offers O’Hanlan some fresh baked bread and cold cuts for his family and as O’Hanlan leaves with his bounty the cat watches him pass. The cat cries at him again but this time his cries go unheeded.
At the end of the film, O’Hanlan returns home on Christmas Eve with a tree and presents for his family. O’Hanlan’s wife Evie (Tamsin Kelsey) demands an explanation for his good fortune and he starts by saying “To make a long tale a short one…” before interrupting himself, “Speaking of tails…” He leaves the room, soon returning with a closed basket which when opened reveals the tabby kitten from earlier. “He was a friend when I needed one,” O’Hanlan tells them.
O’Hanlan’s son Sean (John Kirkconnell) scoops up the kitten and the family gather around as O’Hanlan explains that the thief he helped apprehend earlier was also wanted in Chicago where there was a reward on offer for his capture.
Virginia now declares the cat’s name will be Nick(y) after Saint Nicholas.
After their meal, Viriginia insists her father open her Christmas present to him while Evie and Sean, cuddling the kitten throughout, look on.
The kitten is seen just once more when Evie tells Sean to put the cat down and come help her with the dishes.
Final Mewsings: A kitten for Christmas? Best present ever!
Relevant Links:
To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and Twitter.