Eye of the Cat

I saw this film back in India in the early 70s during its second run. I enjoyed it very much at the time and even now, looking back after over 30 years, I am amazed that this movie gets so little publicity. Other films that are less than half as good have long got a DVD release, but very few people seem to know of this one's existence.

All right, it is not a classic but is certainly good for Saturday evening. The plot of a sick, reclusive elderly woman living in a mansion with lots of money is nothing new; nor is the arrival of 'caring' young relatives hoping to find a place in her will. But the presence of some twenty sinister looking CATS seemingly guarding their mistresses' interests certainly adds a diabolical angle. Michael Sarrazin's unnatural phobia of the cats adds to the drama, as does Gayle Hunnicut's murderous nurse. There are some superb scenes like the aforementioned runaway wheelchair and the outstanding Oxygen Tent sequence. I hope someone has the sense to bring this film out on DVD in its original theatrical release format.

Eye of the Cat (1969) is a movie I recently watched on Shudder. The storyline follows a free spirited young man who is scheduled to receive everything his rich aunt has in an inheritance as she lies on her death bed. She recently changed her inheritance to him from her household of cats. As she prepares to sign the documents he arrives at his aunt's estate and warns the young lady with him the cats are more than just cats...she's about to discover what he means.

This movie is directed by David Lowell Rich (That Man Bolt) and stars Michael Sarrazin (Frankenstein: The True Story), Gayle Hunnicutt (The Legend of Hell House), Eleanor Parker (The Sound of Music), Tim Henry (Aliens vs Predator) and Linden Chiles (The Green Hornet).

This storyline is very unique with fantastic characters, settings and circumstances. I was thoroughly impressed with how unique and unpredictable this movie is. They created some cat feeding frenzies that were fun - though the car scene made me uneasy, like a clown car filled with cats. I will say the main character was annoying, and the reading of the will scene was kind of sad but the ending is perfectly executed and worthwhile. There's an awesome wheelchair scene in this too.

Overall this movie isn't perfect but it is entertaining and unique. I would score this movie a strong 7/10 and strongly recommend it.

Ailurophobia is the fear of cats - our star, Michael Sarrazin, has got it badly. This is one of the better movies where our feline house cats are made to look fiercely deadly to humans. Give this film a try -- really good.

7/10

This movie was partially re-shot and re-edited for television, and that's the only version that ever turns up. I sure wish the original theatrical version would become available on VHS or DVD. I remember this as being a wonderfully atmospheric, creepy movie. I was shocked the first time I viewed it on TV, because I vividly remembered a climactic scene where Gayle Hunnicutt was descending a big staircase and being chased and overtaken by a virtual sea of cats running around and past her. It was a visually stunning shot. Yet, in the televised version, she was being chased by one (count it) ONE solitary little kitty! It looked ridiculous, and you had to assume she was running based on some intense phobia, which isn't really established earlier in the story. This is a little gem, which deserves being restored to its theatrical release version.

I just caught a screening of this movie at BAM in Brooklyn last night. I only went because I was given free tickets and dig horror flicks, so with no expectations and my only knowledge being "it has an army of cats," this movie blew me away. I was totally entertained, alternatingly laughing and jumping throughout. The film is shot beautifully, has a great score, the dialogue crackles, and the cast perfectly walks the line between camp and horror. The vaguely incestuous scenes between Wylie and his Aunt Dani are particularly great.

Of course, the best part is the cats! I was promised an army of cats, and this movie delivered. They truly make the average housecat look like a fierce creature of the night.

A fun horror movie through and through. Please release this on DVD!