Film Friendly Felines By Mary Mallory
Film Friendly Felines
By Mary Mallory
While dogs are often considered man’s best friend, cats seem to be women’s loyal companions. Canines lead the way in early film appearances, but cats are now catching up, perhaps thanks to their frisky, funny personalities. From the silent period through today, felines have stolen many a film through their talent, beauty, and brains.
Pepper the Cat
Mack Sennett introduced the first important cat star to the screen, a young stray Maltese female he adopted named Pepper. Oftentimes, Sennett paired her off with his popular dog star, Teddy, adding slapstick and throwing plots topsy turvy. Pepper was supposedly trained and a top professional, hitting her marks on cue, stealing virtually every scene she appeared in and gaining a huge following. The funny feline appeared in over 20 films such as Down on the Farm in 1920 and Bow Wow in 1922 before her untimely death in 1924.
Orangey
During the 1950s and 1960s, a tabby cat named Orangey reigned supreme at the box office. The rather plump feline became a star in the 1951 Paramount film Rhubarb, in which his rich owner passes away and leaves his fortune and professional baseball team to his affectionate pet. Orangey appeared in such television series as Batman, Mission Impossible, and The Beverly Hillbillies, along with his other memorable film role as Cat in the 1961 Paramount film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He won two Patsys, the animal version of the Academy Awards, for his star turns in Rhubarb and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Orangey
Siamese cats quickly became popular cats after World War II, leading several to be cast in movies over the next few decades, including the 1955 Disney animated featured The Lady and the Tramp. The 1958 Columbia picture Bell, Book, and Candle, perhaps one of the most famous films to include a cat, featured a Siamese named Pyewacket helping Kim Novak put a love spell on neighbor James Stewart.
Syn Cat
In the 1960s, Disney featured the Siamese cat known as Syn Cat in two films, the 1963 The Incredible Journey and the 1965 film That Darn Cat. Syn did all her own stunts in the poignant The Incredible Journey, where the cat and her two dog companions become separated from their family while on vacation and must find their way home. In That Darn Cat, D. C. is chased by an FBI agents and criminals as she holds the clues to where a kidnapped woman is being held.
Orange tabby cats starred in popular 1970s films and TV shows as well. In the 1974 Art Carney film Harry and Tonto, a retired man and his cat Tonto leave New York City to hitchhike across the United States, experiencing adventures along the way. Found in an animal shelter, Morris the Cat stole hearts appearing in 9 Lives cat food commercials as well as appearing in the 1973 Robert Atlman film The Long Goodbye and the 1973 Burt Reynolds movie Shamus.
Disney released Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey in 1993, an updating of the 1963 film about three animals finding their way home. Instead of a Siamese, they used a Himalayan cat in the feline role, voiced by actor Sally Field.
Over the last thirty years, felines have highlighted some famous films as well. A hairless Rex cat appeared as Mr. Bigglesworth in the comic spoof Austin Powers, while a Himalayan played Mr. Jinx in the Meet the Parents series, smart enough to flush a toilet. A fluffy orange tabby played Buttercup in The Hunger Games, adding a touch of love and compassion.
Friendly and fluffy, cats offer a soft and popular touch to movies, adding flair and personality.
Mary Mallory is a historian, archivist, and writer specializing in Los Angeles and Hollywood history. She serves as Secretary for Hollywood Heritage's Board of Directors and gives presentations to a variety of organizations and museums. Mary has written four books, including Hollywoodland, and blogs for the LA Daily Mirror.
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