El gato que vino del espacio

This movie was one of my earliest memories of childhood and a fond one at that.

This was Disney making a sci fi movie fit for children, it's cute, it's campy, it's not meant to be an Oscar-grabbing masterpiece of acting, effects, or even plot. If Disney had produce the pinnacle of special effects, acting and storyline for its day, everyone would trash it as being either too complex, or unsuitable for children. Disney makes movies for kids, that's what they do. Deal with it.

Kids would be frightened by a true alien being, so a cat is a suitable substitute, makes for a warm cuddly visual even. The story had to be simple or kids wouldn't and couldn't follow it.

Those who want to critique this film as though it were high art need to get over it. If a 6 year old needs to be handed Masterpiece Theater to properly entertain them, there is something very wrong indeed.

I am 100% sure I watched this film when I was a kid. It was on the Disney hour on Sunday evening. I watched it with my family and I remember most of what happens in the movie, which is kind of crazy. The film is called the Cat from Outer Space and that basically explains all of the plot. The cat is very ably voiced by Roddy McDowell and the film is directed by Norman Tokar who did a lot of these Disney films in the '60s and '70s. Interestingly for Mash fans, it stars Harry Morgan and McLean Stevenson. Harry Morgan played the first commander of the unit and McLean Stevenson actually replaced him on Mash.

It's a mash-centric movie and it sort of feels like the answer to the question, what if Disney made a MASH sci-fi movie for kids? A bit boring in parts, but it definitely holds up and is worth a watch.

A spaceship makes an emergency landing on Earth and the pilot -a talking cat- run into spies, the army, Ken Berry and Sandy Duncan in his mission to get back home. Exciting for youngsters, if not as funny as the average Disney-comedy. A nice cast (with support from the likes of McLean Stevenson, Harry Morgan and Roddy McDowall) although Ken Berry has always seemed like the guy they get if Dean Jones has better things to do. Worth mentioning is it's great finale with some impressive stunts thousands of feet above the ground. Noted for being veteran Disney-director Norman Tokar's final film (he died the following year).

I have been slowly introducing my children to the great Disney family movies of the 70's. They were a little hesitant to watch this movie stating, "Not another one of Dad's old movie favorites"! But time and time again, they find themselves laughing out loud and realizing why this and others (Snowball Express, Blackbeard's Ghost, Herbie Rides Again, Shaggy D.A.) are family classics. This one was extra special because it starred a lovable pussycat who happens to be, "From Outer Space." Oddly enough, our cat Aslan, watched this movie from start to finish. The kids all joked that it was, "his favorite movie." Our children need more movies like this one! Fun, light-hearted comedies with family-oriented values and an interesting storyline that stimulates the imagination.

I still list this classic from my "kittenhood" as one of the best of it's kind. Just a must see for cat lovers, and animal lovers of all kinds. Just really cute story, very funny and all around great for kids of all ages!

If you have not seen since were a kitten maybe you need to see it again. If have not seen it then see it! It's Disney so how can you go wrong?

I wish they would do more like this. I mean sure they did Cats and Dogs and have done others but non that deal with space Cats or such, not in long time.

Meow!