bkoganbing
J. Edgar Hoover must have been put out by That Darn Cat. He must have had a few words with Walt Disney producing a film that made his FBI agents
look like idiots. That was one big no-no when Hoover was alive even an innocuous Disney film. I also could not figure out why bank robbers Neville Brand and Frank Gorshin
took bank teller Grayson Hall hostage. I would think that would slow up a
planned getaway. But on one of his nocturnal prowlings the cat owned by
sisters Dorothy Provine and Hayley Mills wanders into the boardinghouse of
Iris Adrian where Brand and Gorshin are keeping Hall. Hall slips her wristwatch on the cat in place of a flea collar. She takes it back to home and
hearth and Hayley who gets on the case like Nancy Drew.Mills takes it to the FBI who assigns agent Dean Jones to lead a team to get back the stolen loot, the crooks, and Hall. Needless to say they make a botch
of it at first. Mills's brain dead boyfriend Tom Lowell gets caught up, nosy
neighbor Elsa Lanchester gets involved against the advice of her husband
William Demarest and finally another neighbor Roddy McDowell has threatened to shoot the cat on sight for stealing his dinner.One thing about the Disney films starting in the 60s. They gave work to a lot of familiar character players you rarely got to see on the big screen any more.
That cast list is reason enough to watch That Darn Cat. If that isn't enough add
Ed Wynn in a funny bit as a jewelry store owner and Richard Deacon as a much
put out drive-in theater manager.Not the greatest of Disney films, but should satisfy for good family entertainment.
comeonandrock
one of my favorite movies of all times...reminds me of a quiet childhood...sparkly, intelligent script...lovely acting(the way it's supposed to be, not your lame nowadays style)...a treasure...enriched my life.i was so happy to see the DVD in the store... probably seen it fifty times already, since i got it...my daughter liked it too....i'll keep watching it until i know it by heart...it just brings so much joy...well...some movies rock and this is one of them, in my opinion...i also enjoyed the soundtrack....thanks for posting the lyrics, though you can copy them from the subtitles...
Jessica-65
I have fond memories of watching this as a child, but I thought my memories might be too rosy, so my expectations were not high as I got ready to re-watch this film. However, it was surprisingly entertaining throughout, except near the end, where I agree that the scene showing everybody trailing everybody else went on a little too long. You can tell the plot was taken from a novel - there are several funny lines, there is more telling detail, the bad guys are convincingly threatening (as others have said), and the characters are more three-dimensional than usual for a 1960s "family" movie. The teenage heroine (played by Hayley Mills) is resourceful and actually has a steady boyfriend(!), though of course she never kisses him, even at the drive-in! I also like the actress who plays the hostage - she *looks* like an older woman who might actually work at a bank - not like a Hollywood glamour girl! I haven't seen the 1997(?) remake, but I suspect it isn't as good as the original. All in all, an enjoyable movie for a Saturday night at home!
Chris Dowling
I hadn't seen this movie in 30 years when my kids decided to rent it the other night! The cast is classic, from The Riddler(Batman), to Roddy McDowell, to Uncle Charlie(My Three Sons). And of course, Dean Jones and Haley Mills. It's one of those timeless, goofy Disney comedy classics that stands in a kitsch class of it's own! Ya gotta see it again!YMMV if you're a tweener at this point (too mature for it's cornball silliness, and too young to be nostalgic!)
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