Cat People (1942)

Cat People
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
1942/USA
RKO Radio Pictures
First viewing
#154 of 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die

[box] Irena Dubrovna: I like the dark. It’s friendly.[/box]

I’ve been reading about this film so long it’s a wonder I haven’t seen it until now.  It was certainly not a disappointment.

Simone Simon plays Serbian expatriate Irena Dubrovna, who has a fascination with cats.  She meets architect Oliver Reed (Kent Smith) near the panther cage at the zoo and they fall in love and marry.  Irena tells Oliver of her village’s legend about evil people who turn into vicious cats when aroused.  She fears that her mother was one of these and that if her passions are raised by lovemaking, jealousy, or anger she also will turn into a cat.  Oliver is at first remarkably patient.  Irena agrees to see psychiatrist Dr. Judd (Tom Conway) but he makes little progress.  In the meantime, Oliver grows closer to co-worker Alice Moore who admits her love for him.  Irena’s fears are soon to be tested …

This is a beautiful and chilling film.  It gave me the creeps even though I should have known better.  Master of noir shadows Nicholas Masuraca lights the whole thing with incredible skill and director Jacques Tourneur hides his scares in those shadows masterfully.  I also thought the story was touching.  Simon , who looks a bit like a kitten, is sympathetic as well as sensuously menacing.  Highly recommended.

Re-release Trailer