Silly Cinema: That Darn Cat! (1965)

I can't collect records.  My collections are so varied and too numerous, that adding one more "collection" would qualify me for a very special, cross-promotional episode of "Intervention meets Hoarders."  It isn't that I don't buy records, of course I do.  I just refuse to admit to myself that it is a collection.  My motivation for buying records is limited, however, to nostalgia and an unbridled love of "Music to Strip By."

Really.
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A recent thrifting trip found me face to face with the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies, Walt Disney's That Darn Cat! (1965).  An ardent Hayley Mills fan, I just had to have this album.  I was a little disheartened, however, to only have the vinyl itself.  Fortunately, Mary, an inveterate digger, kept flipping through the remaining bins of records, and found the errant sleeve.

My favorite song/theme title might be "Take This and This and This"

As soon as I got home, I put the record on and was pleased to hear that every bit of the film score was included, even the music from the drive-in surf movie that the characters watch in a climactic scene.  The one confusing part of the record was the two renditions of the theme song, neither one of which was performed by Bobby Darin, the vocal talent which graces the opening credits of the film.  

"That Darn Cat!" - performed by Bobby Darin

The renditions on the record of the title song, penned by the inimitable Sherman Brothers, are sung by no musical slouches, namely Louis Prima and Bobby Troup.  I couldn't find a video of either version and I couldn't be bothered to make one of my own, so here is a totally unrelated clip of Louis Prima - except for the title, "Swing Cats Jamboree."

"Swing Cats Jamboree" - Louis Prima

The inspiration for this post was obviously the record.  Clearly, I got so distracted by the album, that I forgot this was a movie review.  Record review, movie review...what's the difference?  Anyhow, if you grew up on some remote, desert island where Disney movies could not be received by your primitive, coconut-shell, television antenna or you lived under an anti-American, fascist regime, then you won't be familiar with That Darn Cat!, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema.  Okay, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema released on December 2, 1965 starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones as a precocious, teenage, amateur sleuth and a starched-shirt FBI agent, respectively.

That Darn Cat! (1965) Movie Trailer

If you didn't gather it from the trailer, That Darn Cat! tells the tale of D.C. (Darn Cat), a Siamese cat of superior intellect, who begrudgingly plays a major role in capturing villainous, bank robbing kidnappers.  I will admit, this film is much less "Fellini" than feline, feel good romp.  But if you're bored on a Sunday afternoon, I promise you nothing will get you in a better mood.

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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For such a mid-60's cornball movie, the cast in this film is really top notch.  We've mentioned in a previous post that wacky tacky icon, Elsa Lanchester, plays a supporting role along with William DeMarest.  A whole slew of 60's favorites round out the cast including an grown-up Roddy McDowall, Dorothy Provine, Neville Brand, Richard Deacon, and Frank Gorshin.

It seems like old Frank was always playing a baddy.
Here a bank-robbing kidnapper...

,

...and here as The Riddler from Batman

Did we mention that one of our favorite comedians/character actors, Ed Wynn, has a cameo as a German jeweler?  We didn't??!?!  Well, shame on us.

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If you're a lover of the Beach Party movies, or Gidget, or Hayley Mills, or wacky tacky, then you're sure love That Darn Cat!  Please feel free to share your reviews on here if you do decide to watch it, or if like us, you've watched it over and over and over again!

Also, don't forget to like us on Facebook, if you're so inclined!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Icons: Elsa Lanchester

Elsa Lanchester

October 28, 1902 - December 26, 1986

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My favorite actors have always been character actors.  While she was a star of great magnetism in her own right, Elsa Lanchester was definitely a character!  Born to vegetarian socialists in Edwardian England, Elsa's fate was sealed as a wacky tacky woman from the moment she entered the world!

Elsa the Exotic!

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An early student of Isadora Duncan, the mother of modern dance, Lanchester began her career as a dancer and singer in Britain's iconic music halls.

"Don't Tell My Mother I'm Living in Sin"

In pretty short order she transitioned into silent films; her first credited role was as Beatrice de Carolle in the 1925 film, The Scarlet Woman.

Looking like a proper starlet
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A pretty safe assumption is that Lanchester's most iconic role is that of Mary Shelley/ The Monster's Bride in the 1930's classic, horror film, Bride of Frankenstein.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Don't you love the hiss?

In an effort to maintain full disclosure, I will admit that I have never seen Bride of Frankenstein in its entirety!  My first exposure to Lanchester was actually her hilarious portrayal of Edna Grundy in the "Off to Florida" episode of I Love Lucy.  In this episode, Lucy and Ethel mistake Grundy for escaped convict and "gray-haired hatchet murderess, Evelyn Holmby."

"I love buttered grass."

I Love Lucy, "Off to Florida" (original air date 10/12/56)

The next thing I can remember Lanchester in is Disney's Mary Poppins.  As Katie Nanna, Lanchester may not have had a major role, but what she lacked in screen time she made up for in scenery-chewing, scene-stealing, outrage!

Mary Poppins (1964)

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Lanchester had a long (spanning seven decades) and storied career, to say nothing of her infamous marriage to star of stage and screen, Charles Laughton.  But we know her best for her eccentricity, her charisma, and her outstanding contributions to wacky tacky film festivals.

Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
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I've never been a Kim Novak fan, but Lanchester, as spooky
Aunt Queenie, definitely makes the film watchable.

Pajama Party (1964)
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In my VERY favorite of all the AIP beach party movies,
 Lanchester played eccentric Aunt Wendy

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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As part of the 1960's obsession with nosey neighbors (see Gladys Kravitz),
 Lanchester played the indignant Mrs. MacDougall.

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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Mrs. MacDougall, herself.

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

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As zany as ever, Lanchester plays pirate progeny,
Emily Stowecroft, in this classic tale of  cursed pirate haunting the living
 and saving the homestead of old ladies from a dubious mob head by
fixing the big track meet, thereby saving his eternal soul and
bringing love to faculty member at the local college!
I LOVE this movie!

I really enjoyed watching these excerpts from her 1970 appearance on "The Dick Cavett Show."  One really gets a sense of her upbringing, her relationship with her husband, and her weirdness.  Dig that crazy medallion/talisman!

"The Dick Cavett Show" (1970) - pt.1

"The Dick Cavett Show" (1970) - pt. 2

Doesn't she look like a bundle of fun?!!

Thanks for your indulgence.  We haven't featured a wacky tacky icon in a long time and having just recently reviewed Blackbeard's Ghost, I have been on an Elsa Lanchester high!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky icons: Dance Annette!

I just finished watching The Boys, the documentary about the Sherman Brothers.  I've always known who they were and loved many of their songs but WOW, these guys were incredible.  The exact genesis of their career at the Disney Studios was a bit of mystery to me; it turns out they got their start writing a couple of novelty tunes for Annette Funicello before Walt hired them as full-time composers/lyricists.   I knew that they were the genius behind many of Annette's successful records (I have her complete recordings) but I was under the mistaken notion that "Tall Paul" was specifically about Annette's relationship with Paul Anka.

Anyhow, the reason that I bring any of this up is because I had been toying with the idea of a blog about Annette and, having just watched a film in which Annette played such an integral part, the timing just seemed right.

I have always loved Annette.  Our family was raised on three things: live-action Disney films, the beach movies from American International Pictures and Skippy Peanut Butter.  Moreover, Back to the Beach (the 80's send-up of said beach movies) was a staple in our regularly scheduled programming.  From this movie we partook not only of the entertainment value but also of the depths of its wisdom.  We increased our capacity for understanding the differences and, more importantly, the similarities that unify us as a human race; "Not many people can cha-cha-cha, not everybody can do the twist, but everybody can do the ska" - a valuable life lesson indeed!

Annette + Aunt Becky + Fishbone = riveting entertainment

As interested as I am to find the man who put the "bop" in the "bop-shoo-bop," I am even more interested to find the genius who decided to put the Italian in the ocean!

There is just no denying that heritage!

The combination of Annette's Italian lineage, her bouffant hair-do and the roar of the crashing waves is really what gives Annette her wacky tacky street cred.  Her films further cement her status as an icon of wacky tacky with every viewing.  Her music is nothing to be overlooked either; "Rock-a-Polka," "Rock-a-Charleston," "Rock-a-Cha" - is there anything this girl couldn't rock-a???

Pajama Party (1964) 

Pajama Party is definitely one of my favorites - Annette, Tommy Kirk, Buster, Keaton, Elsa Lanchester, Candy Johnson, Martians, Indians, pajama/pool parties, and "Stuffed Animal" - (one of the most unintentionally-hilarious/perverse songs in the Annette Funicello songbook!!!!!)

Unfortunately, this is the best clip that youtube has to offer but you get the idea.

The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964)

Another of my favorites is The Misadventures of Merlin Jones.   The opening credits are awesome! 

Its sequel, The Monkey's Uncle (1965), afforded The Beach Boys the unprecedented opportunity to sing the movie's theme song with Annette.

So much is made of the Ginger vs. Mary Ann debate but I find the more interesting choice to be the one between Annette and Deborah Walley.  Their differences appear to be akin to those of the stranded castaways - the sexy redhead versus the more wholesome brunette.  They shared so many similarities, however, from their rise at Disney to stardom at AIP that I find the choice to be much more telling.  So instead of going on and on about Annette's career and the sadness of her protracted battle with MS, I will let you decide for yourselves.  Who do you go for - Annette or Deborah?

They were both the sweetheart, girl-next-door.

They both had great 60's hair.

They were both killer, beach babes worthy of Bond Girl status!

So, who is it going to be?  I would say that you have to choose, but thankfully, you don't.  They are both amazing!  Overall, Anette may eke out a victory over Deborah only because of the rich musical legacy and the merchandising!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny