Movie Review-That Darn Cat

At first glance, the movie would appear to be rather ho-hum.  The box stated the usual Disney stars and actors.  Ed Wynn even had a small character role. Yet, Team Bozarth thoroughly enjoyed it.  Dean Jones co-starred with Haley Mills in this movie about an independent cat and bank robbers turned kidnappers.  Dean Jones plays a FBI agent who is allergic to cats.  Imagine having to deal with an informant who makes you sneeze!  This idea was hammed up in typical Disney style in this movie entitled That Darn Cat – and had Team Bozarth laughing out loud. 

Some of the movie’s positive points include the tons of wholesome humor, the genial relationship between the two sisters (played by Mills and Dorothy Provine), the lack of public physical affection displayed between the two teenagers (Mills and actor Tom Lowell ), and the level of responsibility that is implied of the sisters while their parents are touring Europe.

This last positive point highlights one of the movie’s few negatives though.  The absence of parental authority is disappointing yet it does serve to set up several of the movie’s funny moments.  Elsa Lanchester, a definite fixture in Mr. Walt Disney’s movies, plays the nosey neighbor to perfection.  While we were laughing at her nosiness and feigned concern for the two sisters, Team Bozarth also winced at their portrayal of a difficult and acrimonious marriage relationship between Lanchester and actor William Demarest.   Roddy McDowall played neighbor Gregory who appears to be way too dependent on his mother.  We were uncomfortable with a brief scene between Gregory and Ingrid who is Patti’s sister.  Patti is the role Mills brought to life while her sister Ingrid is played by Dorothy Provine.  This scene begins with Gregory driving Ingrid home after work in the carpool.  He walks her to the front door where he violates her personal space while speaking to her far too close to her face.  He touches her jacket collar before kissing her on the forehead.  It is our opinion that the director of this movie wanted the viewer not to like Gregory though not to be considered the bad guy….after all, there are bank robbers in this movie!

The two bank robbers and kidnappers are portrayed as the bad guys.  Although the viewer understands that these are hardened criminals, the movie does not dwell on this.  It shows them as bad but not actively doing a great deal of wicked things.  In other words, we are shown the kidnapped woman listening several times as they discuss killing her.  Viewers know what is being discussed without it being the focus of the scene….the victim’s reaction is what is being showcased.   The most violent scene of the movie happens near the end.  Jones is hot on the trail of his cat informant with Mills behind him.  He hears the robbers talking.  They are about to kill the bank teller.  He radios for back up and then knocks on the door of the robbers.  Mills enters the apartment on the guise of looking for her cat and “husband”.  The inevitable fight breaks out but we don’t recall any gun shots although guns were pulled and pointed.  A fistfight begins that is neither too long nor too short.

With its mystery and intrigue mixed with predictable characters and slap-stick humor, this is a movie for a wide variety of ages and interests.  That Darn Cat gets a thumbs up from Team Bozarth.

Springfield Visit

Late August, three members of Team Bozarth were privileged to attend Communicators for Christ conference.  Corrie and Mitch went to the one day speech event.  Chloe was able to attend two days.  The Holtgrieve family kindly agreed to allow Chloe to spend the night during her attendance.  This was a benefit to all because we were able to visit with our friends when we went to pick Chloe up. 

The boys got to shoot the air rifle and the girls picked up the pellets and sold them back to JJ for candy.  This way he got to reuse his pellets and the girls got something out of it too.  Sally and Chloe performed their muffin skit for us as well.  They had learned this type of speech at the conference.  Later on, we visited Talbot’s Outlet store.  Mitch especially enjoyed this time bonding with all the girls in the family.

Skycroft Retreat

Last week Team Bozarth went on an outdoor retreat in Maryland.  We got to see the Holtgrieves there.  We played games.  Mitch’s favorites were the relay races.  A seven story high water slide was very fun.  The first night there was a campfire and we roasted marshmallows to make s’mores.  This was after the talent show in which my group did a skit.  Mitch played the piano and Chloe and Sally did their Muffin Skit.  Mitch, Chloe, Corrie, and Suzannah performed a song from vacation Bible school called, “Yes, Lord”.   The older kids learned sign language to “Jesus Lord of Heaven”.  These same kids made up the percussion band and performed the last day.Some members of Team Bozarth were able to do some rock climbing while others hit the chilly swimming pool.

       Corrie           Chloe        Singin' & Signin' "Yes, Lord"

The Bozarth Times Herald is an occasional publication written, produced, and distributed by Excelsior Via Academy staff and students.  All editorial comments may be submitted to this publication.  However, consideration and/or publication of submitted comments are not guaranteed.