The Curse of the Cat People The Curse of the Cat People is a horror film directed by Gunther von Fritsch and Robert Wise. Released in 1944, it is a sequel to the 1942 film "Cat People." While the first movie was a commercial success, its sequel was a departure from the horror genre, focusing more on fantasy and psychological elements. The story revolves around a young girl named Amy Reed, played by Ann Carter. Amy is a daydreamer who struggles to fit in with her peers. She finds solace in her vivid imagination, often conjuring up imaginary friends and fantasies.
The sequel, The Curse of the Cat People, was made in 1944 and the RKO studio heads wanted to cash in on the unexpected popularity and success of the first film. They made Val Lewton use the title, “The Curse of the Cat People,” even though cat people have absolutely nothing to do with the film. The film is not even a horror movie. It is a psychological, fantasy drama that happens to have the same cast as the original film with characters who have the same past story. It was a very personal story for Lewton and he is said to have put a lot of his own childhood into his portrayal of Amy, the main character.
Confusingly titled though it remains cat people are mentioned just once , the film presents an elegiac fantasy that never entirely resolves its questions about the real and the imagined, filling the picture with possibility, mystery, and enchantment. Irene is so vulnerable, you can t help but feel for her She knows she ought to be alone so she won t hurt anyone, but she is unhappy alone and loves Oliver, who never truly loved her, because he never really knew her.
She finds solace in her vivid imagination, often conjuring up imaginary friends and fantasies. Her father, Oliver Reed, played by Kent Smith, worries about her detachment from reality. Amy becomes fixated on Irena Dubrovna, the deceased woman from the first film, who believed she was descended from a race of cat people.
The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
Cat People is one of my favorite horror movies, so when I culled together my list of actors/actresses for Summer Under the Stars I wanted to spotlight Simone Simon. Her output isn’t prolific or revolutionary, but her role in Cat People is indelible and I’ve been fascinated by her for years. I recently acquired the Cat People double feature on DVD and figured this would be the perfect time to watch the 1944 sort-of sequel, Curse of the Cat People. A sequel in name only, The Curse of the Cat People tells a bewitching story about the loneliness of childhood, and the mistakes parents make in their children’s lives. I enjoyed this as much as Cat People, but in a new, separate way.
Amy Reed (Ann Carter) is the isolated daughter of Oliver and Alice Reed (Kent Smith and Jane Randolph). Desperate to find friends in order to please her father, Amy conjures up a magical friend named Irena (Simone Simon). Unfortunately, Irena is Oliver’s decease first wife – killed whilst battling the belief that she was a magical cat person. As Amy and Irena bond, this new-found invisible friends place the little girl’s life in danger.
The Curse of the Cat People is a sequel as well as an individual tale wholly separate from the original source of its title. Iconic 1940s movie producer Val Lewton wanted to title this film Amy and Her Friend, but was compelled by the studio to capitalize on the success of 1942’s Cat People, thus the title was changed and the core trio of Smith, Randolph, and Simon were brought back. The cast reunion aside, there are a few connections to the original film: A group of boys attack a black cat; the main character holds a bizarre belief that only she believes in; both films focus on female isolation and motherhood. In Cat People, Irena’s belief in turning into a cat person separated her from her husband. Several theories about the true meaning of the cat people abound, but one included Irena’s fear of sexual consummation and motherhood. The Curse of the Cat People plays up on the motherhood theme through Amy’s relationship with the various people in her life. She’s isolated from her friends; her mother holds no authority in the home and is told “not to interfere” in the discipline of her child.
A key subplot of the movie involves the elderly Mrs. Farren (Julia Dean) and her daughter, Barbara (Val Lewton contract player Elizabeth Russell). Mrs. Farren believes that Barbara is an imposter sent to spy on her, and that the true Barbara died at the age of six – the same age as Amy Reed. Mrs. Farren and Barbara provide an interesting relationship to the film because they feel so lost in the overall story. The theory I worked with is that both women exhibit what Amy could become with improper parenting. She can stay lost in her fantasy world – perpetually child-like – as Mrs. Farren is, or she can be forced to grow up and conform to lying in order to please her parents, leaving her bitter and distant. It is up to Oliver and Alice to change their personalities and how they respond to Amy’s fantasy life. This proves difficult as their characters have learned nothing from their original interactions with Irena. I didn’t believe it possible to hate these two characters more than I did in Cat People, but Alice and Oliver truly prove how much they deserve each other!
Oliver was the All-American boy in the first movie; a waffler who leaves Irena the minute things get tough to shack up with another woman. Here, he’s an intolerant parent that would rather have his daughter lie to him than live in a make-believe world where she’s seemingly happy. In one scene, he threatens Amy with a spanking if she continues to say Irena is around. By threatening her with punishment, you’re only forcing her to lie to avoid that, right? Concurrently, Jane Randolph is pointless in the thankless role of Alice. Anyone could play her somewhat concerned mother who lacks any engagement with her child. In the end, Amy relies on her father and Irena to get her out of certain situations, seemingly emphasizing that Randolph is around for continuity’s sake.
The magical tone of the movie is reminiscent of Rene Clair or similar fantastic directors of the era. It’s said Lewton included autobiographical touches to this film, and he captures childhood perfectly. Ann Carter is astounding in the role of Amy, taking another otherworldly turn after playing Veronica Lake’s enchantress daughter in I Married a Witch. Amy is quiet, reserved, but still precocious and curious. She investigates a house because someone calls to her, and enjoys the company of older people who listen to her and enjoy spending time with her. Kids are cruel, and Amy learns that she doesn’t need them to be happy; it is her parents – and by extension society – that causes her to believe her fairy-world is wrong. Yes, she is isolated, but isn’t childhood supposed to be about believing in the wondrous and fantastic? The invisible friend story could be mined for horror, and Lewton places a few touches that compel you to believe Irena is dangerous, but it’s never enough to move this into horror territory. You understand that Amy is thrust into a confusing world where parents tell you stories about Rapunzel and magical mailboxes in hollow trees, but you’re never expected to believe they’re true. It is this contradiction that leads to the confusion in which Amy finds herself.
This brings us to Simone Simon who literally plays a good fairy/fairy princess as Irena. She’s an angelic presence that, again, could be perceived as evil because she is so ethereal. Standing in the snow in a white cape singing French songs (mind you, her character in the original was Serbian), is almost holy. Simon has friendly chemistry with Amy; she realizes that both are kindred spirits, and while Amy finds comfort in Irena, Irena believes Amy is the afterlife she’s been seeking. In the end, both females are lonely, and feel they’ve lost something they wish to get back, dovetailing with Mrs. Farren and Barbara. Have I mentioned that Jane Randolph and Kent Smith serve no purpose because they stick out like sore thumbs amidst all the glowing compassion?
If you’re seeking the horror found in a Cat People story, you might be disappointed. The Curse of the Cat People is an enchanting, sweet story of childhood friendship and unseen companionship. Ann Carter, Simone Simon, and Elizabeth Russell are amazing while Kent Smith and Jane Randolph are about as good as they were in the original. I enjoyed this on a different level from Cat People, but I also found it to be a fuller story.
Ronnie Rating:
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Irena's spirit lingers and befriends Amy, leading her deeper into a world of fantasy. As the film progresses, Amy's imaginary friend helps her navigate the challenges of childhood, including bullies and an overbearing mother. However, her obsession with Irena causes concern among her parents and leads to conflicts within the family. One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the blurred line between reality and fantasy. It leaves the audience questioning whether Amy's encounters with Irena are figments of her imagination or something more supernatural. This ambiguity adds to the psychological drama of the story. Apart from exploring the psyche of a young girl, the film also delves into themes of loneliness, isolation, and the power of storytelling. It critiques societal norms and presents a child's perspective on misunderstood individuals. Although "The Curse of the Cat People" was not a commercial success upon its release, it has gained a cult following over the years. It is praised for its atmospheric cinematography, haunting score, and its departure from conventional horror tropes. In conclusion, "The Curse of the Cat People" is a thought-provoking and unconventional horror film that delves into the mind of a young girl caught between reality and fantasy. It challenges the audience's understanding of what is real and blurs the boundaries of horror and psychological drama..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Cat People and Hereditary Traits: A Genetic Inquiry"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I found "The Curse of the Cat People" to be incredibly disappointing. While the title itself sounds intriguing, the film failed to deliver a captivating story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to become fully invested in the characters. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest as the movie progressed. Overall, "The Curse of the Cat People" failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - "The Curse of the Cat People" is a prime example of a movie that falls flat in every aspect. From the start, it was evident that the screenplay lacked depth and failed to evoke any sort of emotional response. The acting felt forced and wooden, making it difficult to form any connection with the characters. Furthermore, the visual effects were dated and unconvincing, which only added to the overall disappointment of the film. I would not recommend wasting your time on "The Curse of the Cat People."
3. David Thompson - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse of the Cat People" based on its intriguing title, but sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed and left much to be desired. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. While there were moments of atmospheric cinematography, they were not enough to redeem the overall disappointment of the film. Overall, "The Curse of the Cat People" failed to deliver a compelling and engaging narrative.
4. Samantha Davis - 2 stars - "The Curse of the Cat People" had an interesting premise, but its execution fell short. The film struggled to establish a coherent storyline, leaving me confused and detached from the characters. The writing felt weak, with unconvincing dialogue and predictable plot twists. The acting was mediocre at best, failing to bring the characters to life. While the visuals were decent, they couldn't make up for the overall lackluster nature of the film. "The Curse of the Cat People" unfortunately left me feeling unfulfilled and disappointed.