The Cat Creeps

Cat Creeps, The (1946)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Poor Universal "B" mystery about a group of greedy folks trying to locate $200,000 at a creepy mansion. A reporter is also along for the ride as bodies start to pile up. Once again, if you've seen one of these "B" mysteries then you've seen them all. We get the same group a characters being led by the same smartass reporter who comes off dumb yet he's able to solve the case each and every time.

As of now Universal hasn't issued this on DVD. If you want to view the film there is an unofficial version floating around from 16mm prints.

THE CAT CREEPS over the years has gotten a bum rap. 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 are no existing prints), still campy 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 for Abbott and Costello and two FRANKENSTEIN classics.

Noah Beery, Jr is always fun, 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. Jonathan Hale (Mr. Dithers in the BLONDIE series), plays the DA running for the senate, caught in the middle of a suicide which turns out to be murder. Beautiful Lois Collier plays his daughter.

Fred Brady stars as the crusading reporter and detective, also look for a very sinister 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. Don't forget her slinking cat.

This was your typical 40s drive-in type movie, not a classic, but a good time killer and with a memorable cast if you're a movie buff. Don't miss Kelly tripping down a flight of stairs and landing on a pitch fork?

A salute to Fred Brady, who wrote so many classic scripts for 77 SUNSET STRIP and other Warner Brothers tv cop shows. He passed in the early 60s and is missed.

Always on dvd and remastered for all us oldie fans.

I am a fan of the old Universal, Columbia, Monogram, PRC, etc. supernatural, suspense, and mystery thrillers from the 1930s and 1940s. I was wondering when or if this little "B" ( or "C" ) mystery was going to be on VHS and so I found it via Sinister Cinema.

This little thriller is worth watching to see due to the fact that it is a murder mystery with supernatural overtones. I first saw this at the age of 12 (when I started to become a fan of this genre) and found some scenes hair-raising. I think this is due to some of the acting and the way some of the action occurs, especially when Mrs. Williams talks about the creeping cat. Overall, it is not a bad film to have in one's collection and I recommend for other fans of Universal mystery and suspense.

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.

I expected far more from the director of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, HOUSE OF DRACULA, HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. This one is definitely a comedy, mystery comedy in the pure tradition for this period. THE CAT AND THE CANARY, the genuine material, was already far from being a masterpiece...But Erle C Kenton was in his last part of career, so let's try not be too harsh with him concerning this one. Many viewers, and especially gem diggers, will appreciate this movie. It is rare to purchase and only for this please try, despite the lame and predictable plot. Mystery and comedies were numerous during the thirties and forties.