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.

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Plot Keywords:

missionary | mayor | naivety | magician | gangster | 

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Taglines:

Everything new but these [eyeglasses]

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Genres:

Comedy

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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.

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Quotes

Ezekiel Cobb: A cordial greeting, my worthy friend!

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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

A still-potent political comedy

Before Frank Capra's socially-aware comedy-dramas such as "It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington" and (my favorite) "Meet John Doe" there was "The Cat's Paw." In fact, "The Cat's Paw" and "Meet John Doe" share a similar plot: Corrupt politicians in a pickle find a sap to run for office so that they can use him for their own purposes.

In this case, Harold Lloyd plays a naive missionary just returned from China to his hometown of Stockton. Lloyd's character, Ezekiel Cobb, had planned on catching up with a friend of his, the Rev. Julius P. Withers, who dies unexpectedly. Withers had been running for mayor as the token losing opposition against the long-corrupt incumbent. His planned loss would've insured Withers' party (THE REFORM PARTY, no less! Talk about cynicism!) would continue to be paid off through the mayor's graft. Wouldn't you know it, just as the Reformers are looking for some sap to take Withers' place, in walks Ezekiel. Naturally, Ezekiel wins instead of losing, and turns idealistic political reformer -- much to the dismay of all the town's corrupt politicians and criminal class. Ezekiel's solution to halting the political corruption is both surprising and hilarious.

I found this film on TCM and, much to my surprise, not only kept watching it, but kept laughing -- all the way through. Great performances by Lloyd, transforming from unsophisticated (he doesn't even know how to use a phone!), Chinese-proverb quoting straight-arrow to incorruptible populist mayor; Una Merkle as the tough-girl love interest who convinces Ezekiel to do what's right through canny reverse psychology; and George Barbier as the initially-corrupt Reform Party boss, who comes around to Ezekiel's way of thinking. Also, lots of familiar character-actor faces whom you can't identify though you know you've seen them before.

This film is well worth seeking out. If it's not on VHS or DVD, it should be! It's a forgotten classic!