The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

Three scientists help an Alien feline, stranded on Earth, to repair its damaged spacecraft in order to return home but their efforts are hampered by inept army officials and foreign spies.

Director:

Norman Tokar

Writer:

Ted Key

Stars:

Ken Berry, Sandy Duncan, Harry Morgan

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Berry	...	Frank
Sandy Duncan	...	Liz
Harry Morgan	...	General Stilton
Roddy McDowall	...	Mr. Stallwood
McLean Stevenson	...	Link
Jesse White	...	Earnest Ernie
Alan Young	...	Dr. Wenger
Hans Conried	...	Dr. Heffel
Ronnie Schell	...	Jake - voice / Sgt. Duffy
James Hampton	...	Capt. Anderson
Howard Platt	...	Col. Woodruff (as Howard T. Platt)
William Prince	...	Mr. Olympus
Ralph Manza	...	Weasel
Tom Pedi	...	Honest Harry
Hank Jones	...	Officer

Storyline

A UFO is stranded on earth and impounded by the US government. Its pilot, a cat with a collar that has special powers, including the ability to allow the cat to communicate with humans, has eluded the authorities and needs the help of a man named Frank in order to reclaim and repair his ship to get back home.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | human alien relationship | talking cat | alien | night | 

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Taglines:

Mysterious visitor with unknown powers on our planet for supplies.... A six-pack of tuna?

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ronnie Schell, who provided the voice of the title feline, was also given the small part of an army sergeant. In post-production, it was decided that his voice was too easily recognizable, so the on-screen role was re-dubbed by another. An unidentified and anonymous actor.

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Goofs

Early in the film, Frank and Jake discuss procuring the bar of gold necessary to repair the ship. During the discussion, Jake says that he will need to reduce it while retaining all its properties. Later, when Jake reduces the gold to the size of a small pencil, Liz easily picks it up. If the "reduced" gold had retained all of its original properties as Jake said, it should have had the same mass as a bar of gold.

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Quotes

Earnest Ernie: Wait a minute, wait a minute! Are you seriously serious?
Frank: You're not thinking of welshing are you?
Earnest Ernie: But I thought you was putting me on.
Honest Harry: Ernest Ernie, it would not do your reputation any credit if word was to circulate that you reneged on a wager duly offered and accepted.

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Connections

Referenced in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

User Reviews

A Family Treasure

I have been slowly introducing my children to the great Disney family movies of the 70's. They were a little hesitant to watch this movie stating, "Not another one of Dad's old movie favorites"! But time and time again, they find themselves laughing out loud and realizing why this and others (Snowball Express, Blackbeard's Ghost, Herbie Rides Again, Shaggy D.A.) are family classics. This one was extra special because it starred a lovable pussycat who happens to be, "From Outer Space." Oddly enough, our cat Aslan, watched this movie from start to finish. The kids all joked that it was, "his favorite movie." Our children need more movies like this one! Fun, light-hearted comedies with family-oriented values and an interesting storyline that stimulates the imagination.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cat from Outer Space

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1