The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973)

Western story about a defiant wife who leaves her husband to take up riding with outlaws.

Director:

Richard C. Sarafian

Writers:

Marilyn Durham (novel), Eleanor Perry (screenplay)

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Sarah Miles, Lee J. Cobb

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Reynolds	...	Jay Grobart
Sarah Miles	...	Catherine Crocker
Lee J. Cobb	...	Harvey Lapchance
Jack Warden	...	Dawes
George Hamilton	...	Willard Crocker
Bo Hopkins	...	Billy Bowen
Robert Donner	...	Dub
Sandy McPeak	...	Ben (as Sandy Kevin)
Larry Littlebird	...	Iron Knife
Nancy Malone	...	Sudie
Jay Silverheels	...	The Chief
Jay Varela	...	Charlie Bent
Owen Bush	...	Conductor
Larry Finley	...	Bartender
Sutero García Jr.	...	Dream Speaker

Storyline

It's the frontier of the American west. Shortly after being released from prison where he was serving a sentence for murder, Jay Grobart leads a band of three other men - Dawes, Billy Bowen and an Indian named Charlie Bent - in robbing a train of its Wells Fargo cargo of $100,000. In their escape from the scene, they are forced out of circumstance to take along a young woman, against her will, she who is traveling by herself on horseback. She is Mrs. Willard Crocker - Catherine - who they can tell is wealthy. Although they do not let her go, she vows that she will not tell the authorities about them as she, like them, is running away. As Jay, the leader, embarks on his next mission - to fulfill the reason he stole the money - he has the problems of managing the three men, Dawes and Billy in particular who are solely out for their own selfish wants which now includes their carnal wants with Catherine, and making sure Catherine does not escape. But as they spend more time together and ...

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | outlaw | unlikely romance | interracial relationship | train tracks | 

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Taglines:

Two women loved him. One died for him. One killed for him.

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Genres:

Romance | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Burt Reynolds and Jack Warden insisted on doing their own stunts.

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Goofs

During the opening credits Catherine is riding "side saddle" but her legs are both on the right side of the horse, which is the "wrong" side for an English ladies' saddle. The film is flopped in this shot as later she has her legs on the proper side.

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Quotes

Catherine Crocker: Give me the horse and let me go. I won't tell a soul, I promise.
Jay: Why not?
Catherine Crocker: Because I'm running away, too.
Jay: [pauses] Mm hmm.
Jay: [to Billy] Throw her ass on a horse.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: At Long Last Love (2014)

User Reviews

Burt Reynolds best movie

A western that is equal or better than others westerns of its era. A strong cast with excellent performances by Jack Warren and Lee J. Cobb, it is the only Burt Reynolds movie I like. The scenery is outstanding and all the characters fit nicely in the roles and are believable. It reminds me of McCabe and Mrs. Miller but with more action The plot although not unique has its moments as the dynamics of the "gang" are played out. Burt has never been better and clearly missed his calling as a western hero, he plays the strong silent type much better than road he went down in his career.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1973 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing

Filming Locations:

Ajo, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min 123 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1