CAT PEOPLE
US, 1942, 73 Minutes, Black and White.
Simone Simon, Kent Smith, Tom Conway, Jane Randolph.
Directed by Jacques Tourneur.
Cat People is a horror classic directed by Jacques Tourneur, the maker of a number of horror films, aided by the production values of Val Lewton. Lewton, written up in many of the books about classic horror films, was the producer of a number of small budget horror films at R.K.O. in the early 40s - I Walk with a Zombie, The Body Snatchers etc. Many directors such as Tourneur got quite some impetus from Lewton's lead. Robert Wise and Mark Robson also acted as editors and directors of these films at the beginning of their careers. The Cat People takes up mid-European legends and has the elements of European myth transported to America - quite effectively. There is also a sequel and many later films have capitalised on horror with cats and their mythological background.
1. The film is considered a horror classic. Why?
2. Audience interest in horror films, for entertainment, for excitement, fascination with the unconscious and the evil side of life?
3. The basic mythology and Serbian legends about the cat people; their explanation by Irene, the focus on cats and panthers as vicious animals? The statue of King John and the dead cat? The importance of the reality of these legends, or the reality of people believing in them?
4. What point of view did the film take about the cat people and their presence in Irene, in modern New York? A realistic point of view, belief in the legends, psychological point of view?
5. A realistic interpretation: modern New York, Irene and her drawings, Oliver and his job? The office, Alice? The world of psychology? The ordinary way of life in the city and the sudden intrusion of fear, cats and destruction? Irene's death?
6. How well did the film work on the level of legend: the initial poem, Irene's drawings, her continued return to the panther's cage? Her fears about loving her husband? Her dreams and the psychiatrist as King John? The ominous presence and the chasing of Alice? The ending and Irene's letting the panther free and her death?
7. The psychological interpretation: myths of the past, their presence, especially in European towns and families, Irene interpreting the absence of her parents in terms of the cat people; her fears, even in America? Her return to the animals and what they signified for her? The importance of the initial quotation in this regard? The encounter with Dr. Judd, the psychoanalysis and the revelations about herself? Her return and the possible cure and the sudden rejection by Oliver? The importance of the final fight with the psychiatrist? Irene's identifying with the panther and its being run over and its being stabbed?
8. How interesting a character was Irene: European background, presence in America and not having friends, her presence with the panther? The charm of the encounter with Oliver at the zoo, the visits, happy outings? The pleasant marriage with the intrusion by the cat-looking woman? Her romantic attitudes and her asking for patience? Yet her underlying fears? The jealousy of Alice and suspicions in pursuing her? The bonds with the psychiatrist and yet her fear of him? The growing atmosphere of menace about her and from her? A plausible character for this kind of horror film? The contrast with Oliver as the ordinary American, his explanation of his always being happy and not being able to cope when unhappy? His courting, decision to marry, his skill at his work, friendship with Alice, visits to the cafe? His decision to leave Irene and to go to Alice? The repercussions for Irene, on him? His genuine love for her and continued attempts to help? A credible hero?
9. Alice as an attractive character, a pleasant "other woman", yet the victim of Irene's jealousy, especially at the pool, the torn robe, the discussions with the psychiatrist, the menace on the street and her taking the bus?
10. The interest in the psychology, the theory of her turning into a cat and destroying her lover, the kissing of the psychiatrist?
11. The significance of dreams, the psychiatrist as King John?
12. The loosing of evil on to the world and her taking the key, opening the panther's cage?
13. The mystery and pathos of her death?
14. The importance of the introductory psychological quotation and the poetic comment on good and evil within mankind at the end? The value of this kind of film as a symbol of good and evil in story form?
