Director: ERLE C. KENTON. Screenplay allegedly by Edward Dein, Jerry Warner. Allegedly based on an "original story" by Gerald Geraghty. Photography: George Robinson. Film editor: Russell Schoengarth. Art directors: Jack Otterson, Abraham Grossman. Set decorators: Russell A. Gausman and T.F. Offenbecker. Music director: Paul Sawtell. Costumes designed by Vera West. Make-up: Jack P. Pierce. Hair styles: Carmen Dirigo. Sound recording: Bernard B. Brown, William Hedgcock. Associate producer: Will Cowan. Producer: Howard Welsch.
Copyright 11 April 1946 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at the Rialto: 17 May 1946. U.S. release: 17 May 1946. U.K. release through General Film Distributors: 18 August 1947 (sic). Australian release: 21 November 1946. 5,197 feet. 58 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A reporter believes a long-buried suicide victim was actually murdered.
NOTES: Gerald Geraghty's "original story" previously formed the basis of George Waggner's finely tuned, fast-paced "Horror Island" (1941), a much superior movie in every respect.
COMMENT: A pallid, indifferently directed re-make with only one claim to fame-namely, it will certainly spoil your enjoyment of the far more exciting and suspenseful original if you're unlucky enough to sit through this one first. Every department (including acting, script, sets and photography) manages to score lower on any scale of artistry or entertainment. Admittedly, on its own inferior level (solely thanks to its resiliently punchy plot) it still packs a sufficient wallop to raise a few tense moments.
The Cat Creeps
1946
Comedy / Drama / Horror / Mystery
The Cat Creeps
1946
Comedy / Drama / Horror / Mystery
Plot summary
A black cat is suspected of being possessed by the spirit of a elderly murdered woman.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
April 28, 2023 at 03:51 PM
Director
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
A few tense moments! But watch "Horror Island" instead!
The Cat Creeps
When a wealthy widow sends a one thousand dollar bill to the local newspaper claiming murder, blackmail, a corrupt politician and $200,000 fortune to be had, it's up to reporter Terry Nichols and photographer Pidge 'Flash' Laurie to figure out the nefarious plot and clear the politician's (who's Terry's soon-to-be father-in-law) name. But they won't be alone. Among the colorful cast of characters are Terry's beautiful fiancée, a lawyer with his feline phobic secretary, a very deceiving private detective, and finally a mysterious woman and her even stranger black cat, which maybe involved with the murders itself!
A black cat, a spooky house, a bunch of characters, one of them a murderer, and people getting bumped off - it's all here in this universal offering, and it's watchable enough. Keeps your attention, plus there's some witty dialogue, however, having said that, the fun is marred by that annoying reporter who is charmless and has that smug superiority- hence his wisecracks came across as insults, plus there were too many of them. There's something wholly unlikeable about him and one wishes he got bumped off fifteen minutes in, and have Noah Beery take over as the lead. Every time he opens his mouth he spoils the atmosphere. Also it could've been more eventful but a longer running time would be needed.
THE ONE WE GREW UP WITH ON THE LATE SHOW
THE CAT CREEPS over the years has gotten a bum rap that it did not deserve. This was fun stuff, usually on the late show (back in the days of NO cable!) It was also one of the last mystery/horror films to be produced by Universal, on a double bill with SHE WOLF OF LONDON.
No relation to the 1930 thriller (which there do not seem to be any existing prints), still campy fun with a group of suspects slowly being bumped off on a remote island -- with a fortune in cash hidden somewhere in a creepy, old house. Universal also took pride in this production, boasting a terrific cast of well known character actors and directed by one of their best, Erle C. Kenton, who directed Abbott and Costello's earlier films and two FRANKENSTEIN classics. What do you want?
Noah Beery, Jr. Is a hoot, trying to figure everything out (at least he does find the money in the end, without giving too much away), also poker face Douglas Dumbrille as one of the suspects and Jonathan Hale (Mr. Dithers in the BLONDIE series), playing a DA running for the senate, caught in the middle of a suicide which turns out to be murder. Beautiful Lois Collier plays his daughter.
Future film writer Fred Brady stars as the crusading reporter and detective, also look for a very sinsister Paul Kelly (as another gumshoe), and veteran actress Rose Hobart as Dumbrille's devout secretary. Vera Lewis plays Hale's elderly, bedridden cousin who knows something's up --but will she live to tell about it? Do not forget her slinking cat, moseying around the dusty house and cellar.
This was your typical 40s drive-in type movie, not a classic, but a good time killer and neat to see some notable actors do their thing. There's a knock down, drag out fight scene at the end and don't miss Kelly tripping down a flight of stairs onto a pitch fork? Give this a second look, and now restored on dvd (finally) with a cool green and yellow box cover. Why we love these old Universal quickies and the good folks who put them together.