Complete credited cast: | |||
Simone Simon | ... | Ghost of Irena | |
Kent Smith | ... | Oliver 'Ollie' Reed | |
Jane Randolph | ... | Alice Reed | |
Ann Carter | ... | Amy Reed | |
Eve March | ... | Miss Callahan | |
Julia Dean | ... | Mrs. Julia Farren | |
Elizabeth Russell | ... | Barbara Farren | |
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Erford Gage | ... | Police Captain |
Sir Lancelot | ... | Edward |
This mostly unrelated sequel to Cat People (1942) has Amy, the young daughter of Oliver and Alice Reed. Amy is a very imaginative child who has trouble differentiating fantasy from reality, and has no friends her own age as a result. She makes an imaginary friend though, her father's dead first wife Irena. At about the same time, she befriends Julia Farren, an aging reclusive actress who is alienated from her own daughter Barbara. Written by Ken Yousten <kyousten@bev.net>
Curse of the Cat People is an intriguing tale, beautifully filmed in a style that bears more resemblance to a Grimms fairytale than horror, with a mesmerizing performance from Ann Carter. This is her film and she is strong and convincing in the role. The exploration of the insecurity of the child coupled with a troubled relationship with her father is fascinating. I have not seen Cat People and, possibly, aspects of the history of the demise of Irena would be clearer having seen the original. The expectation of a "horror" film with the suggestive title is also misleading. If you are looking for horror you will need to look elswhere. This is ultimately a surprisingly sensitive and uniquely haunting film that would appeal on many levels.