Woodyanders Sweet and gentle Serbian immigrant Irena Dubrovna (a fine and charming portrayal by the comely Simone Simon) believes that she's suffering from an ancient curse that will cause her to transform into a lethal feline if she ever becomes intimately involved with her husband Oliver Reed (a solid and likeable performance by the handsome Kevin Smith). Director Jacques Tourneur ably crafts an eerie enigmatic atmosphere, relates the compelling and provocative story at a hypnotic gradual pace, and grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality. Dewitt Bodeen's intelligent script smartly explores the meaty themes of dark secret identities and deep sexual repression wrought by a combination of guilt and fear. Moreover, Irena's lonely plight elicits pathos and sympathy while the tragic ending packs a devastating punch. Simon and Smith make for attractive and personable leads; they receive sturdy support Jane Randolph as the perky Alice Moore, Tom Conway as helpful psychiatrist Dr. Luis Judd, and Alan Napier as the easygoing Doc Carver. Elizabeth Russell has a memorable bit as the mysterious cat woman who Irena has an unsettling encounter with in a restaurant. Nicholas Musuraca's sumptuous black and white cinematography adds immensely to the overall brooding mood. Roy Webb's shivery score hits the shuddery spot. Best of all, this film gains much of its power and impact from the fact that it's quite subtle and suggestive instead of blatant and explicit, thereby proving the point that sometimes less is indeed more. Worthy of its classic status.

Eric Stevenson Judging from the title, you'd think this would be a movie about all of these people who are also cats. In reality, this isn't featured that much in the movie at all. This isn't a fault. It's just something to take note of. It's a pretty weird movie because it tells the story about this woman who apparently turns into a panther whenever someone kisses her. Now, there is one thing that's really weird about this. It's already been established that she married this guy. So...they went through their whole marriage without ever kissing once? That's dumb. Still, I do like this movie.It's probably because of how ambiguous it is. It never actually shows the woman transform into a panther, but it's certainly implied she does. Wait, maybe she never did. That would explain the whole kissing thing! I just think the pacing is very well done and I really do like these characters. I like how it's hard to tell for even the audience as to what's happening. The romance in this is quite well written too. It's hard to really even know who you're supposed to feel sorry for. ***

snicewanger Cat People along with The Wolfman are the two finest shape snifter films ever made and Cat People stands as the crown jewel of the legendary horror films Val Lewton made at RKO!Lewton became recognized as one of the finest horror, fantasy, and suspense story tellers in Hollywood. Director Jacques Tourneur established himself as Hollywood's top horror/ fantasy director of the 1940's ranking up there with James Whale as the best ever.DeWitt Bodeen wrote a script that was part horror and part film noir and was brilliantly conceived.Nicholas Musuraca's shadowy cinematography is as much the star of Cat People as any of the actors.All that talent comes together to create a suspenseful and even breathtaking fantasy/horror film. The cast of Cat People Kent Smith,Tom Conway, Jane Randolph, and Jack Holt were all character actors and competent craftsmen in their work and were recognizable to theater audiences but none were big stars.Simone Simon's portrayal of Irena is both exotic and vulnerable and remains her best known role to American audiences. Tourneur got masterful performances from all of them in creating the story. Cat People has many iconic moments. The bus stop scene. The pet shop scene. The legendary swimming pool sequence. All of the scenes at the zoo. They are all part of magic of Cat People. Cat People is certainly one of RKO's finest films and one of the best movies of the WWII era.

lucyrfisher Yes, it is atmospheric, and the famous moments (the chase, the swimming pool) really are that good. I've just watched it again and find my memory had distorted some details: I pictured Anne in the pool in an unflattering cap, and the hotel receptionist with a twangy Brooklyn accent - which she doesn't have, she just calls everybody "Honey" or "Dearie". She is good in her small role, as is the waitress (a black character with a character, even if she does have to make a "characteristic" remark about nobody liking gumbo).What struck me this time around: there are subtle clues. Irena's fur coat, the way she stalks Oliver and Anne, fading behind conveniently placed potted palms (jungle). The shadow of a chair behind her head giving her "ears". The cleaning lady who is first seen crawling on all fours through the revolving door, animal-like until she raises her head and is revealed as an ordinary woman who collects matchbooks.Another point: until well into the story, the spectral panther could have been the real panther from the zoo, released by Irena (who has stolen the key to his cage). But then you realise that this is misdirection: the panther could not have walked unnoticed into the hotel! And it could not have broken into Anne and Oliver's office - or could it? Did it come through that revolving door? But surely if it had got loose we would have heard about it.The script by the wonderfully named De Witt Bodeen deserves a mention - especially the scene where Anne confesses to Oliver that she is in love with him.The music adds a lot, too. The lullaby Irena sings, that the characters later play on the gramophone. The Irish song the zookeeper is always singing, that Irena picks up.Oh, and the Other Catwoman is sitting in the background at the restaurant when Oliver goes there on his own.If you liked this, you will like The Seventh Victim, which features Dr Judd, mysteriously resurrected.