by Mark Murton
Directed by: Carol Reed
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This evaluation comprises some spoilers for this movie!
Synopsis: Quick paced farce by which two gold-digging refrain ladies, Gloria (Renee Houston) and Clytie (Lilli Palmer), pursue eligible bachelor the Earl of Pangborough (Hugh Sinclair) however discover they’ve competitors from fellow refrain woman, the shy and demure Leslie (Margaret Lockwood).
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The three ladies win locations within the refrain line of a brand new musical, and Gloria and Clytie attend the opening night time occasion that follows, whereas Leslie returns to the boarding home the place all of them reside. Pangborough can be on the occasion and Gloria and Clytie waste no time vying for his consideration, leading to Gloria “by accident” spilling wine on Clytie who instantly seizes the chance to have Pangborough drive her again to the boarding home so she will change. Whereas Pangborough waits within the hall exterior Clytie’s room (which she shares with Gloria) he sees Leslie leaving her room and happening the steps solely to return a couple of seconds later holding a big gray Persian cat in her arms.
On the prime of the steps, Leslie feigns shock at Pangborough’s presence and drops the cat which runs off again down the steps.
Leslie explains that she wished the cat, Jennie, to catch a mouse she present in her room, so Pangborough volunteers to assist her reclaim the cat. They make their method all the way down to the kitchen as Leslie urges Pangborough to make as little noise as doable to keep away from disturbing the opposite residents. Arriving within the kitchen, they discover Jennie sitting on the sill by the open window. As they creep in direction of her, Jennie jumps down out of the window into the again yard.
Purr Blur: Leslie and Pangborough exit into the yard the place they spy Jennie sitting on the shed roof subsequent to a black cat.
Pangborough climbs as much as try to attain Jennie (the opposite cat having already disappeared), noisily knocking over varied objects on the way in which, a lot to Leslie’s consternation.
Inevitably, simply as Pangborough reaches Jennie she runs off throughout the roof – cue additional crashing about which begins the chickens within the yard clucking loudly in addition to the canine there barking incessantly.
So as to add to the mayhem, Clytie, persevering with to speak to Pangborough who she thinks remains to be exterior the door, lastly reacts to the racket exterior by throwing a shoe (considered one of Gloria’s, naturally) within the course of the commotion. The shoe hits Pangborough, permitting Jennie to scurry off once more. Ultimately Pangborough manages to assemble up Jennie they usually all return inside.
Pangborough carries Jennie into Leslie’s room and units her down close to the closet the place Leslie says the mouse is.
In the meantime, Gloria has arrived again on the boarding home and as soon as she and Clytie have completed buying and selling insults they realise Pangborough has disappeared. Listening to Leslie and Pangborough laughing in her room they burst in to see what’s occurring and are greeted by the positioning of Leslie mendacity on the mattress trying beneath it as Pangborough emerges holding Jennie.
Leslie explains in regards to the mouse to the sceptical Gloria and Clytie as they proceed their bickering. Pangborough ends the feuding, quickly not less than, by making his excuses and leaving, passing Jennie to Leslie as he goes.
Leslie, an image of innocence, sits on the mattress cradling Jennie in her arms as she declares, “I can’t suppose what occurred to that mouse, he appears to have gotten away.”
“Humorous there are mice in a home,” responds Gloria pointedly, “the place there are such a lot of cats about.”
A cat lover in actual life, Margaret Lockwood is pictured right here along with her personal cat (circa 1953).
And once more at dwelling along with her daughter and one other household cat.
Last Mewsings: Is it dishonest to make use of a cat within the pursuit of affection?
Related Hyperlinks:
To debate this movie and different cats in films and on tv, be a part of us on Facebook and Twitter.
Share this along with your cat and film loving mates!
