Michael's Movie Grade: A-
Year Released:1965
HistoryThat Darn Cat marked the last film actress Hayley Mills would make for Walt Disney and the last cinematic adventure she would have for the studio, as she decided not to renew her contract so that she could peruse acting opportunities at other studios and in different types of films. She would return to the studio in the 1980's to make some made for TV sequels for The Parent Trap for the Disney Studio. Intrestingly while this film said farewell to a Disney star it also introduced a new one with Dean Jones. Dean Jones would go on to star in such Disney films as The Ugly Dachshund, Monkey's Go Home, Blackbeard's Ghost, The Love Bug and The Million Dollar Duck. When Walt had hit upon the book called Undercover Cat he knew it would be perfect as it would give a more grown up role to now adult Hayley, while it would still provide much of the slapstick humor expected from the studio's live action output.
The book was by the husband and wife team Gordon and Mildred Gordon. Unusual for a Disney film, both of them worked on the script for the movie. They co-wrote the movie with Bill Walsh, one of the studio's most reliable writers. Gordon Gordon actually had previously worked for the FBI, and since the organization played a huge role in the story, the real FBI watched the film closely to make sure no secrets were given away.
When released the film was a hit with both audiences and critics. The movie grossed $9 1/2 million just in its domestic release. Bosley Crowther of the New York Times called it "an entertaining picture". The film would be rereleased to theaters in 1973 and would receive a 1997 remake (also by the Disney studio).
Review Extremely delightful slapstick comedy.
There is much to recommend about this film. The acting is topnotch. Hayley certainly ends her acting career with Disney on a high note. She has lost none of the charm that she had as a child actress. She gave everything she had to this role and it shows. Dean Jones similarly proves himself to be a great new star for Disney movies. He gives a fantastic comic performance here, heightening each joke in the movie. Even those with small roles give great performances. William Demarest helps provided some of the film's best laughs and Ed Wynn as always is a delight to watch. Also helping make this film so good is the tight perfect pacing. Despite being near two hours (a long length for a silly slapstick comedy), the movie never drags and keeps moving at a fast fun pace. However topping all these elements is that the movie is simply funny. This is one of the most laugh out loud funny of the studio's live action comedies. The humor here is simply fantastic and the jokes come at a fast pace.
All in all this is an extremely fun movie and a delight for all Disney fans. Film CreditsDirector: Robert Stevenson
Writers: Gordon Gordon, Mildred Gordon, Bill Walsh.
Based on a book by Gordon Gordon and Mildred Gordon
Cast: Hayley Mills (Patti Randall), Dean Jones (Zeke Kelso), Dorothy Provine (Ingrid Randall), Roddy McDowall (Gregory Benson), Neville Brand (Dan), Ellen Lanchester (Mrs. MacDougall), William Demarest (Mr. MacDougall), Richard Eastham (Supervisor Newton), Grayson Hall (Margret Miller), Tom Lowell (Canoe), Richard Deacon (Drive in manager), Iris Adrain (Landlady), Liam Sullivan (Graham), Don Dorrell (Spires), Glen Blakely(Cahill), Karl Held (Kelly), Ed Wynn (Mr. Hofstedder), Larry J. Blake (Police Officer), John Cliff (FBI Agent), Ben Lessy (Drive-In Concessionaire)
Producers: Walt Disney, Ron Miller, Bill Walsh.
Music: Bob Brunner
Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: Edward Colman.
Assistant Director: Joseph L. McEveety
Second Unit Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli
Editor: Cotton Warburton.
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, William H. Tuntke
Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri
Costume Design: Bill Thomas
Makeup Artists: Pat McNally, La Rue Matherson
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas
Special Effects Artist: Eustace Lycett
Matte Artist: Jim Fetherolf
Costumers: Gertrude Casey, Chuck Keehne, Luther Bayless
Animal Supervisor: William R. Koehler
Resources UsedThe Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059793/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2011/10/that-darn-cat-1965.html
-Michael J. Ruhland
