Thrill me
It doesn't quite get across what the film is actually like, but hey, you get to sample the glory of Tom Atkins so it's all good.
And for tonight's special feature...
#2 - CAT PEOPLE - 1942
"Oh, it's alright. It's just that cats don't seem to like me. "
-- Irena
Tonight served a special surprise with this film from 1942 from legendary RKO producer Val Lewton. 'Cat People' manages to mix horror, melodrama, eroticism and elements of tragedy into what is essentially the story of a Wife who cannot consummate her marriage.
The film begins in a Zoo, as the Serbian immigrant Irena sketches a Panther in a cage. While there she meets Oliver and the two quickly hit it off with some typical 'Boy meets girl' movie banter. Tom offers to walk her home, not noticing the Irena has been sketching a picture of the Panther with a giant dagger through it. That's what those in the film-making business call foreshadowing for those of you paying attention.
Oliver and Irena are soon declaring their love for each other and are quickly married (I'm not joking either, this all happens within the space of four scenes). But soon after their marriage hits the rocks. Mainly because Irena won't consummate. Being as this is 1942 they can't quite say it that way, so the whole issue is danced around with some dialogue, but it's made clear that it's this issue that leads Oliver to grow increasingly frustrated and do what every loving Husband would do and send his Wife to a Psychiatrist. It's here we learn just what Irena's problem is, mainly that if she kisses a man then she'll turn into a Panther and destroy him. It's what those in the Anthropomorphic business call a Catch 22. It also doesn't help that the Psychiatrist is played by the definition of a Cad. The actor (Tom Conway) constantly looks like he's thinking about Sex which, knowing Psychiatrists, he probably was.
The film is remarkable in just how un horror-like it is. It's easy to say that in retrospect, given that there's nothing here that could scare modern audiences. However, Lewton and his Director Jaques Tourneur seem more interested in what is mainly the story of a failing marriage. Albeit failing because the Wife can turn into a murderous Cat at any moment, but still. It's easy to substitute Irena's fears for any number of Sexual or emotional hang ups. It even comes to a point where Oliver and the Psychiatrist get ready to have her committed. It's easier to lock your problems away than deal with them head on.
Irena, wonderfully played by French actress Simone Simon, remains the most sympathetic character in the film, despite being the 'Monster'. It's not hard to feel for her as her Husband gives up on her and goes into the arms of his best friend Alice (Who is more than happy to have him, they talk of Marriage before attempting to have Irena committed). In fact it's not hard to long for the death of Oliver and Alice as they increasingly rub Irena's face in their blossoming romance (Whether they know they're doing it or not, there's certainly the implication that Alice knows just what she's doing). Also worth noting is the caged Panther we see throughout the film, a constant reminder of Irena's sexual frustrations. It's a clever device employed by Lewton to show that Irena's desires, no matter how strong they are must always remain locked up, unless she wants to bring death to those around her. The Panther, who Irena visits a number of times during the film proves a constant reminder of caged desire. The animal constantly paces, eternally frustrated by it's enforced conditions. Irena finally sets it free during the climax of the film, but it's struck by a passing Car and dies. Its death well timed with that of Irena, who has been run through with a long blade by the caddish Psychiatrist who engages in some Panther Vs Man action when he deliberately kisses Irena. Which as we all know means trouble. It's OK though as Irena gets the better of him, providing her with her own (well deserved) kill.
Special mention should go to the film makers for filling the film with cat like iconography. Whether it's the paintings in Irena's apartment or the Cat at Oliver's office. We're constantly reminded of them, and of Irena's condition. The film is also a great example of economic storytelling, packing a lot into it's compact running time of 72 minutes (Take for example the aforementioned Romance. Irena and Oliver meet and are wed in about the first 10 minutes).
We should be thankful for films like 'Cat People'. It serves as a reminder that it's easy to tell the story of someone who turns into an Animal and kills people, but it serves as a much more rewarding experience when there's something to scratch at just below the surface.
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