That Darn Cat!

I sat down in 2021 to watch the 1965 movie "That Darn Cat!". And I just realized that this was actually my second time to watch the movie. As the movie progressed, I recalled having seen this movie in my childhood, though I had entirely forgotten about it. So this was a trip down memory lane for me, just as it was sitting down watching an old movie.

Now, I will say that "That Darn Cat!" really was surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable. And the fact that the movie is now 56 years old really doesn't play in here, because this movie is rather timeless.

Writers Gordon Gordon, Mildred Gordon and Bill Walsh definitely managed to write a very wholesome and entertaining story. "That Darn Cat!" is a movie that has an appeal with both young viewers and adults.

It should be mentioned that "That Darn Cat!" has a really interesting cast ensemble. With the likes of Dean Jones, Roddy McDowall and Frank Gorshin on the list, just to mention but a few. So you are in for quite a treat when you sit down to watch "That Darn Cat!".

If you haven't already seen "That Darn Cat!", then this is definitely a movie that I would warmly recommend that you take the time to sit down and watch, because it is very enjoyable and entertaining.

My rating of this old Disney movie lands on a seven out of ten stars.

This is probably about as good as the Disney comedies of the 50's and 60's get. I think one reason it works is that it doesn't exist in that goody-two-shoes world where many Disney films of the past took place. The crooks in this film are nasty guys, they steal, kidnap, and nearly beat and kill their female hostage. Not that that's a good thing, but it's certainly uncharacteristic for a Disney film. The script is also well written, the dialogue is, for the most part, believable. It does get a little too long toward the end though.

I wasn't expecting much more than some light disney badly acted time waster but this definitely has some things going for it.

Hayley Mills is the shining star of it all. Her energy and commitment to her character, which may well just be her being herself carries the movie all by itself. She's charming, interesting, clever and funny all at once.

Dean Jones is focused and interesting in his own way as were many of the characters.

The plot is secondary to their characters, it's not a nothing idea but it's not edge of your seat fare either, but that doesn't matter as it's just fun watching the actors do their thing.

The 2 baddies were surprising chilling, they obviously didn't get the memo this was a Disney movie. Frank Gorshin (AKA Mr Riddler) was quite scary, channeling any number of mob thug movies as was his partner in crime.

Roddy Mcdowell was creepy but performed his roll, and it was great to see Richard Eastham doing some fast comedy. There was a bit of that. Witty fast dialog.

Definitely not fluff, it was fun and funny.

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!

"That Darn Cat!" can be considered the first in the series of human/animal buddy caper films (see "K9", "Turner and Hooch", "Oh Heavenly Dog" to name a few). And it's also one of the funniest.

D.C. is a clever and precocious Siamese who is forever getting into mischief, but who forever remains one of filmdom's coolest cats. But when D.C. (for "Darn Cat" - though D.C. is also an acronym for something unspeakable in a Disney Film!) becomes an unsuspecting witness to a bank robbery/kidnapping, he finds himself the FBI's most valued informant.

The cast of this of this cool Disney caper is sophisticated, intelligent and frequently hilarious. Hayley Mills, as D.C.'s overly-zealous owner, has finally graduated to womanhood, while still maintaining the girlish charm that captured the hearts of Pollyan-ites and Parent Trappers everywhere. Her lines of dialog are extensive, and though her voice begins to grate after a while, she is both smart and quite ballsy for a teen of the early 70s. Dean Jones as unflappable FBI Agent Kelso manages to display a dignity, wit and charm not usually present in the straight man of a Disney Comedy (Who else would remain calm as the little beast nearly tears him to shreds, covers him with ink, and leads him on three separate chases in pursuit of the elusive wild goose?).

Bad guys Neville Brand and Frank "The Riddler" Gorshin simply ooze evil when they are coolly discussing the potential fate of hostage Grayson Hall. Even now as I watch this movie, I really BELIEVE they would do serious bodily harm to this poor woman, in much the same manner that Roddy McDowell (as a hot-headed and stuffy neighbor) would be willing to de-gut our hero, the cat.

And therein lies our focus - the cat. This brave little feline is the true (and UNBILLED!) hero of the piece. And D.C. clearly is capable of holding his own against overwhelming odds. Even with star talent surrounding at every turn, the writers were smart enough to keep the focus on D.C. and his antics. The assorted chases, the jealous boyfriend, the vengeful neighbor (with his duck dinner clutched firmly in hand), the bickering couple next-door; all revolve around or are in some fashion related to, the actions of the furry little sleuth.

The writing is fun; speaking on a heretofore unseen level of intelligence to its young audience. The result is that children are entertained and clearly understand what's going on, while grownups marvel at the complex doings in a small town that are precipitated by one mischievous kitty and the screwball humans that surround him.

This film is a whopping credit to Disney's talented live-animal handlers and art direction teams. The sets and scenery in this delightful little any-town are realistic enough to make you believe they are a real community, yet spritely and colorful enough to make you want to move there... The drive-in movie theater scene still gives me a good laugh.

In all, "That Darn Cat!" is a delight to view on multiple levels, whether you're all alone, or in a room full of pre-schoolers. For an extra treat, pick up any CD by Disney that has the film's title track by Bobby Darin. The cool loungey tune rings vaguely of Harry Connick Jr. and would probably be right at home coming out of the pipes of Ol' Blue Eyes, Mr. Sinatra, himself.