CAT GIRL (1957)

CAT GIRL (1957)

Tagline: Cursed With the Blood Lust of Generations!

(Horror, Drama, Cat Scratch Fever) [G]

Note: This movie wasn’t given an MPAA rating, but it if had been, I think it would have gotten a G. This movie was released in theaters as part of a double feature with THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN. 

In this one, Leonora Johnson is married to a man she doesn’t really love and is having some emotional issues but decides to go back to her ancestral home thinking she will inherit some money that might deliver her from her situation. Instead, when she gets there they find out a family curse means she is going to be able to possess the body of a leopard. Yeah, you read that right. When killings start to happen Dr. Brian Marlowe decides to try and help Leonora but is he too late?

First off this movie is slow-moving, but the performances are so good it stands out as one of the better 1950s horror/dramas I have seen. This atmospheric film is actually pretty outstanding. I have watched it twice and plan to watch it again. I have read some complaints this was a sub-par remake of 1942’s THE CAT PEOPLE, but I didn’t get that out of this movie at all. Yes, there are similar plot points, but both movies stand on their own. 

I don’t want to give too much away, but the “Cat Girl” once she gets cursed has some massive behavioral issues and can also control at least one leopard. They do introduce a few more ideas that only add to how cool this thing is. Effects-wise, it was the 50s, so yes, they are pretty campy looking, but I found it rather awesome anyway. 

Acting wise as I stated earlier, the performances are good overall, but Barbara Shelley is actually outstanding as Leonora. It’s probably one of the better performances I’ve seen in 50s horror. Barbara Shelley is probably best known for 1960s VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED but was in several horror movies in the 50s. Robert Ayres also does a great job in this as Dr. Brian Marlowe. Ayres is probably most famous for his role in 1959’s FIRST MAN INTO SPACE. Paddy Webster also does a pretty good job in this as Cathy. Kay Callard had top billing, but I thought Paddy did a much better job in her role. 

The score and settings are awesome in this. I really liked how eerie they were able to make this thing without needing gore or a ton of body parts laying around. This is a truly well-done suspense horror film with just enough relationship tension to keep things interesting. If I had one critique it would be some of the dialog in parts, but overall that’s being a bit too nitpicky. 

It did take a second watch to really embrace how good this is, but I don’t have any problem recommending it for a 1950s horror movie night or Halloween marathon. Overall for me, this is a solid 6 out of 7. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF INSIGNIA FILMS AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY. 

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