The Cat's-Paw (1934)

Naive Ezekial Cobb, brought up by his missionary father in China returns to America to seek a wife. Corrupt politicians enlist him to run for mayor as a dummy candidate with no chance of ... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Taylor

Writers:

Clarence Budington Kelland (story), Sam Taylor (screen play),

Stars:

Harold Lloyd, Una Merkel, George Barbier

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Harold Lloyd	...	Ezekiel Cobb
Una Merkel	...	Pat Pratt
George Barbier	...	Jake Mayo
Nat Pendleton	...	Strozzi
Grace Bradley	...	Dolores Doce
Alan Dinehart	...	Mayor Ed Morgan
Grant Mitchell	...	Silk Hat McGee
E. Alyn Warren	...	Tien Wang (as Fred Warren)
Warren Hymer	...	'Spike' Slattery
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Shigley (as J. Farrell Macdonald)
James Donlan	...	Red - the Reporter
Edwin Maxwell	...	District Attorney Neal
Frank Sheridan	...	Dan Moriarity - Police Commissioner
Fuzzy Knight	...	Stuttering Gangster
Vince Barnett	...	Wilks - a Gangster

Storyline

Naive Ezekial Cobb, brought up by his missionary father in China returns to America to seek a wife. Corrupt politicians enlist him to run for mayor as a dummy candidate with no chance of winning. Their plan backfires as he wins and embarks upon a reform crusade.

---

Plot Keywords:

missionary | mayor | naivety | magician | gangster | 

---

Taglines:

Everything new but these [eyeglasses]

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese German

Release Date:

7 August 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Strohmann

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$617,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Harold Lloyd Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The delay that followed Harold Lloyd's last picture Movie Crazy was partly due to the fact that he could find no suitable story. He bought The Cat's Paw when Author Clarence Budington Kelland had finished only the first chapter, offered suggestions to make the part more to his taste. When the story was finished Lloyd was amazed to find that none of the antics which his private staff of "gagmen" usually arrange for him seemed to fit the plot. He finally accepted the advice of his director, Sam Taylor, to make the picture without his customary comedy inventions.

---

Quotes

Ezekiel Cobb: A cordial greeting, my worthy friend!

---

Soundtracks

"The Stars and Stripes Forever"
(1896) (uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa
Played at the Good Government League meeting at the City Club

User Reviews

Is that the same Harold Lloyd that was hanging from the clock?

This production was quite a surprise for me. I absolutely love obscure early 30s movies, but I wasn't prepared for the last 25 minutes of this story. If, by any chance, you're not convinced in the first half, hang in there for the finale. Of course, you must look at the blatant racism as being purely topical. A fascinating viewing experience, but I think THE CAT'S PAW is not available on video/DVD yet. Watch your PBS listings!