The Cat Creature

This is one of those movies that you really enjoy when you watch it, but you have to say it is quite bad. Meredith Baxter is certainly a huge reason why this thing works; she takes her part so seriously. And good for her, because other actors might not shine so much in such a campy film. This is was one of those typical seventies TV movies found on ABC in the seventies. It was shot on a small budget, and it shows a little. It really is amazing that these old ABC TV movies were so effective, given their small budgets. It also stars Gale Sondergaard, Hester Black, John Carradine, and Keye Luke. But it's Meredith Baxter that is most memorable. If you like this one try "Bad Ronald."

An old attorney is in charge of cataloging a wealthy estate and is later found murdered near a mummy sarcophagus. On the case is Lt. Marco (Stuart Whitman), who quickly finds out that an amulet of Baast, the Egyptian cat goddess, was stolen. He enlists the help of Prof. Roger Edmonds (David Hedison) and they soon find themselves centering on an occult shop run by Hester Black (Gale Sondergaard) and her new assistant Rena Carter (Meredith Baxter). She admits a thief (Keye Luke) came by to try and sell the amulet, but she turned him away as she is out of the fencing game. Meanwhile, folks all over L.A. are being murdered with cat-like scratches found on their bodies. This ABC Movie of the Week was a return to TV for director Curtis Harrington (after his theatrical features WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HELEN?, WHOEVER SLEW AUNITE ROO? and THE KILLING KIND). He definitely was looking to get into the Val Lewton mold a la THE CAT PEOPLE and it is pretty successful. The script by Robert Bloch moves quickly and there are some great performances in here. The best is Sondergaard as Hester Black, which might be one of the greatest names ever. Another interesting thing is Harrington, who was gay, fills the film with subtle gay moments (like Hester always asking her younger co-workers out for dinner and getting rejected).

An Egyptian mummy protected from reincarnating as a vampire with eternal life is set free. Mysterious deaths follow, with bodies drained of blood and claw marks on their throat. The police are mystified, but with the help of a professor, things begin to crystalize. The movie is extremely atmospheric, especially in regards to a mystic, Gale Sondergaard, who owns a magic shop. She absolutely is the best thing in "The Cat Creature" and steals every scene she is in. The story itself does hold a surprise, once the police figure out the significance of a solid gold amulet. Creepy in a way that doesn't rely on C.G.I. or jump scares, the movie can be enjoyed for it's mysterious storyline and the significant presence of a great actress from the past. - MERK

This was another ABC television movie. Great modern take on the old Egyptian mummy curse idea. When the movie opens, the appraiser is going through the late millionaire's collection of Egyptian artefacts, some of which might have been smuggled. We are left to assume that the collector simply died from natural causes. We don't see the collector in the movie at all. We're given a quick overview of why the appraiser is there and that's it.

The murders don't start until a thief steals the heavy gold amulet from around the mummy's neck, if you remember. Said mummy was a priestess from the cult of Bast, the cat goddess, and the amulet was meant to imprison the spirit of the priestess.

Elements of the old detective story are blended with the supernatural in this tale. We are kept guessing until the very end as to the identity of the mysterious killer.

Great special effects in the scene when David Hedison finally has the showdown with the cat creature!

This is one of the more entertaining made for tv movies. It sports a good cast and the story, that was inspired by Cat People, an excellent film in its own right, It has enough creepy moments to keep the viewer invested. The more violent parts were toned down for television audiences. That does not hurt the movie in any way though.

Meredith Baxter and John Carradine do a good job here but it is .Gale Sondergaard that really makes this movie as memorable as it is. David Hedison and Stuart Whitman do a good job with what they are given but they don't really stand out.

It is a fun horror with some good moments but limited by the made for tv format, Still it is wirth watching.