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The Cat Came Back

  • 1988
  • 7m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
The Cat Came Back (1988)
Dark ComedyHand-Drawn AnimationSlapstickAnimationComedyFamilyFantasyMusicShort

A pesky yellow cat becomes the bane of Mr. Johnson's life as it constantly outsmarts his increasingly desperate attempts to get rid of it.A pesky yellow cat becomes the bane of Mr. Johnson's life as it constantly outsmarts his increasingly desperate attempts to get rid of it.A pesky yellow cat becomes the bane of Mr. Johnson's life as it constantly outsmarts his increasingly desperate attempts to get rid of it.

  • Director
    • Cordell Barker
  • Writer
    • Cordell Barker
  • Star
    • Richard Condie
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Cordell Barker
    • Writer
      • Cordell Barker
    • Star
      • Richard Condie
    • 26User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos7

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    Top cast1

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    Richard Condie
    • Mr. Johnson
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Cordell Barker
    • Writer
      • Cordell Barker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews26

    7.32.5K
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    Featured reviews

    michelledischer

    Brilliant!

    This is, without doubt, one of the funniest animated films I've ever seen. Just the shape Johnson's pants is hilarious. The cat's systematic destruction of his house, his mum's picture, the drapes, the soundtrack of the rat blowing out his lighter--priceless. I've seen it a dozen times and every time I see it, I see something new. Brilliant and richly humorous. MD
    10ccthemovieman-1

    Possibly The Best Cartoon I've Ever Seen

    I have seen a lot of funny cartoons, but very few which brought a big smile to my face the entire duration of the film. I just could not believe how good this was, from the hilarious animation - mainly "Mr. Johnson," to the clever jokes that are in here one after the other after the other.

    Kudos to Cordell Barker for his story, direction and animation. It's an unbelievably entertaining. story of guy who finds a little yellow cat on his welcome mat outside one day, and how this cat literally destroys the house and the owner. It also shows the many attempts the man makes to get rid of the cat but, as the title say, he keeps coming back.

    I can see why this was nominated for an Oscar. What I don't understand is why it didn't win. I don't know how you can make a cartoon any better

    There is a DVD out, named "Leonard Maltin's Animation Favorites From The National Film Board Of Canada. If for no other reason than this cartoon, purchasing that DVD would be worthwhile because this animated short is one of the best ever made
    9planktonrules

    Wild and weird--and I like it!

    This cartoon was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1989. It lost to an amazing film from Pixar, THE TIN TOY, but that doesn't mean that THE CAT CAME BACK is a bad film--just of a much simpler and older style than the CGI film.

    The graphics for this short are far from great but given the subject matter, this actually helped the film--giving it a certain kooky charm. The film begins with an angry guy playing the tuba when he is interrupted by the arrival of a cute yellow cat. Despite being cute, though, the cat is super-destructive and impossible to get rid of no matter what the man does. In the end, he does get rid of the cat once and for all....or so he thinks! The craziness and over the top style are what make this simple film. While nothing new here, it is done with such style and fun that anyone seeing it will be hooked.
    bob the moo

    Will amuse children and adults

    Mr Johnson lives alone with only his tuba giving him happiness. So when a small cat is dropped on his doorstep he reacts with happiness. This is short lived as the cat breaks a rattle he had had since being a baby. He decides to get rid of the cat straight away – I mean, how hard can it be? Well, thing is about that, the cat came back the very next day and no matter what Johnson tries to do it continues to do so.

    I haven't seen this film for years and indeed cannot even remember where it was that I originally saw it. So watching it again recently was quite enjoyable as I got a rush of memory lane. The idea is simple but produces a handful of nice scenarios where the man is trying to get rid of the cat. These are funny but it is the overall delivery of the film that makes it as amusing and enjoyable as it is. The animation is bright and colourful and the portrayal of the cute, harmless little yellow cat contrasts well with what is happening as a result of it being around. The catchy and simple song played over the top is also cheerful and amusing.

    Inventive but yet simple, this cartoon has a slightly cruel sense of humour but yet delivers it in a cheerful and colourful manner that contrasts well and creates an entertaining air of comedy. Short and entertaining short film that kids of all ages will be amused by.
    millennia-2

    A hilarious, non stop rollercoaster ride

    'The Cat Came Back' is likely the best short ever assembled, at least coming out of Canada. Not only is it drop dead funny, but it's original and the animation is great. I caught it on CTV about five minutes ago right before 'Open Mike', and this is the first time I've ever rushed up to the computer so fast to see if it had an IMDb listing and to comment on it. Being only seven minutes long, there isn't much to say about it, except that, if you see only one short movie in your entire life, make it be this one.

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Jodi Benson, Jason Marin, and Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid (1989)
    Hand-Drawn Animation
    Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
    Slapstick
    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gained wide and popular theatrical exposure in Canada as a cartoon short screened before the feature movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
    • Quotes

      Mr. Johnson: [pumping a railcar and seeing a cow tied to the railroad track like a damsel in distress] What the ffff!

    • Connections
      Edited into 50 for 50: Volume 1, Tape 2: Animation: A Touch of Fantasy (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      The Cat Came Back
      Written by Harry S. Miller

      Performed by John McCulloch, Ed Ledson, Richard Condie & Cordell Barker

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 1988 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • National Film Board of Canada - 'The Cat Came Back'
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Animation Greats!
    • Filming locations
      • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    • Production company
      • National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 7m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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