Tonight on MeTV, the cat’s out of the bag-we indeed have a Hammer Studios tale ( a cat’s tale?) in which a wealthy auntie becomes the target of family members and staff of her estate, who have hopes of inheriting her money- but find they are the focal point of vengeance from the old woman’s only friend- her cat! See who is destined to forgo the litter box for a different kind of box- a coffin- when they find themselves in the "Shadow of the Cat"!
This creepy Hammer horror begins by introducing us to the afore mentioned well-heeled senior citizen Ella,who cares about only two living beings in her world- her favorite niece, and her beloved feline friend, Tabitha. Her dislike for all others is mutually returned by them- which leads to her being brutally attacked and killed- with the only witness being- her cat!
Those responsible for her demise hide their fiendish act, telling the local authorities that the old woman has inexplicably "disappeared"- while her less-than-grieving husband Walter and his co-conspirator servants finalize their plans to gain control of her wealth. Though there is a will she was forced to sign-an earlier draft, with different bequests, is still somewhere in the house-and Walter needs to find it to assure that HIS copy will be the one that’s followed.
News of her death/disappearance also brings some sleazy relatives out of the woodwork- as well as her favorite niece, the good-hearted Beth- along with Conrad, a local journalist who has an interest both in the unfolding story and the lovely Beth.
The evil relatives and homicidal house staff realize that there WAS one witness to the murder- yes, the cat - and suddenly become obsessed with capturing the kitty and doing away with it (POINT OF ORDER- are they worried that it's going to testify against them? Really?) Conrad and Beth find this ongoing phobia of the feline odd- plus, they aren't buying the idea that the missing woman just "disappeared". Knowing enough to distrust the scheming relatives and servants, the couple is disgusted by their hatred of Tabitha- and upon hearing odd sounds in the middle of the night- Beth and her journalist gent find themselves becoming more and more suspicious. Meanwhile, this cadre of creeps becomes more paranoid- as it seems that the cat not only saw what they did- but wants to pay them back in kind! Soon, accidents and coronary problems begin to take their toll on the duplicitous family- and Tabitha seems to lend a hand- or perhaps a paw- to their fates!
This black and white offering, though not shot in the lurid color the studio is known for, still provides plenty of the typical Hammer chills and creepy atmosphere. This film also features a unique process we have dubbed “Kitty-Vision”- giving you the cat's-eye view of the devious proceedings. We'll tell you a little about the cast, including favorite Hammer siren Barbara Shelley as the loving niece- plus, we turn a courtroom into a cat room in a parody of you-can-guess-which MeTV program- we bring you a new pussycat product- get another visit from our job-switching vampire pal, Nostalgiaferatoo - provide a song any alley cat would be proud to howl from the backyard fence- and we remember a fun visit from a “Nightmare on Chicago Street” event from the past! ( And, as far as we know right now- we WILL be there again this year!)
“Shadow of the Cat” appears on MeTV tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or, check your local listings or at www.metv.com to find our start time and channel where you are. MeTV encourages our fans to live-Tweet ( or, live-X) on Twitter ( or X) while watching our show on Saturday night! Make sure you use the hashtag #svengoolie on your Tweet. In Chicago this morning at 11 am on our main local station, CW26, those in our local viewing area can again enjoy Boris Karloff in “Haunted Strangler"!
We did want to acknowledge the passing of Paul Ruebens, aka Pee Wee Herman. He and his amazing character were indeed beloved. Sadly, we just missed meeting him at one of the New York Comic Con events a few years ago- just as we were leaving, the gentleman transporting us out of the building commented that he had been dropping off Paul earlier that day, and when my name was mentioned, Paul said he would really like to meet me. If only we would have had the chance!
If you’re reading this early enough, you might still be able to catch up with us at the Flashback Weekend horror convention in Rosemont, Il.- find info under the “appearances” tab here on our website.
And tonight, join us for feline fright on MeTV! (Bring your own catnip!)
3642 Comments
I am so grateful I live in the same universe at Nostalgiaferatu (sic, because I'm sure I spelled it wrong). He and Sven so exquisitely balance on the precipice of stupid and funny that I can't imagine anything more enjoyable.
Keep on keepin' on~
*_^
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I thought "Ben" looked a little bit ratty
But they're not half as bad as the worst scare I've had
The cockroach that ate Cincinnati!
- Rose and the Arrangement
(#1 on Dr. Demento's top ten for I-don't-know-how-many weeks. ¡Olé!)
"I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks."
-- Daniel Boone
It’s closer to the old version of Kina Lillet Blanc from back in the day.
Let’s talk about your stress. Due to inflation my fee has increased from 5 cents to $5. Maybe the cost is covered under your employee health plan or another health plan.
Toon in with me begins at 7 am eastern time zone. And some of us are here every morning. Anything MEtv and Sven is fair game at any time. You never know who will be here at any given time. Come and join us.
During that time, Ford was working for Universal. One day, he was about ready to screen for the studio's president, Carl Laemmle, his most recently completed movie. Accompanying Laemmle for the private screening was his son, Carl Laemmle, Jr., who was just a little boy at the time. When Carl, Jr. brought his pet spider monkey in with him, Ford immediately objected. "I don't mind if the kid sits in, but I'm not going to screen my movie for a monkey!" Ford insisted. Carl, Sr. then told his son to take the monkey outside, where he left his pet with an attendant.
When the boy returned, Ford started screening his movie for the two of them. When it was over, he asked them, "Well, what did you think of it?" Carl, Jr. piped up, "I thought it stunk!" Ford answered, "Take the kid out, bring the monkey back in!"
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Eric Johns described O'Connor as... a frail little woman, with enormous eyes that reminded one of a hunted animal. She could move one to tears with the greatest of ease, and just as easily reduce an audience to helpless laughter in comedies of situation. She was mistress of the art of making bricks without straw. She could take a very small part, but out of the paltry lines at her disposal, create a real flesh-and-blood creature, with a complete and credible life of its own.
