The Cat Burglar (1961)

The Cat Burglar (1961)

„The Cat Burglar“ is a thriller from 1961 directed by William Witney based on the screenplay by Leo Gordon.

While ransacking Nan Baker apartment, Jack Coley (Jack Hogan), a small-time burglar, unwittingly steals a briefcase belonging to Nan’s boyfriend, Alan Sheridan (John Baer). Unknown to him, the briefcase contains plans for a secret scientific defense formula wanted by enemy agents – the stuff men KILL, and DIE, for! Alan plans to sell it to a foreign power.

Alan’s superiors warn him that if the papers are not recovered, he will have to face the consequences. When he fails to retrieve them, his superiors murder him and go after Jack.

Jack’s victim, blonde beauty Nan Baker (June Kenney) desperately tries to track him down. This sets off a chain reaction among the many players that goes from slum-dwellers in rags to guys in suits. Along the way, Nan encounters some pretty shady characters.

Jack has the police on his trail. Plus the owner of the formula, and a ruthless spy. And, realizing the true value of the papers and refusing to commit treason, Jack prepares for the attack. In the end the burglar develops some patriotism and foils the bad guys, killing the two conspirators, though he himself is mortally wounded. Following his death, Nan, the attaché’s original carrier, returns the vital formulas to the proper authorities.

A 1961 American Black & White neo-noir crime B-Movie directed by William Witney (as William N. Witney), produced by Gene Corman, written by actor and former criminal Leo Gordon, cinematography by Taylor Byars, starring Jack Hogan, June Kenney, John Baer, Gregg Palmer, Will J. White, Gene Roth, Bruno VeSota, Billie Bird, and Tommy Ivo.

Jack Hogan who plays „Jack Coley“ in this film would go on to be best known for his role as „Kirby“ in 111 episodes of Combat! (1962).

Produced by Roger Corman’s brother Gene, who enlisted Corman regulars like Daniel Haller. Nan’s car is a 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII convertible.

Directed with some style by the man Quentin Tarentino described „one of the greatest action directors in the history of the business“, ’this is a perfect example of the sort of film on which young Tarentino misspent his youth consuming. In true Tarantino fashion the criminal fraternity are depicted as simple working stiffs. While the plot gets rather involved and the general tone is rather deadpan. Tarantino considers four films as Witney’s best work: „The Golden Stallion“ (1949), a Roy Rogers vehicle, „Stranger at My Door“ (1956), „The Bonnie Parker Story“ (1958), and „Paratroop Command“ (1959). Witney was also admired by Bertrand Tavernier.

William Nuelsen Witney (1915 – 2002) was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the action films he made for Republic Pictures, particularly serials: „Dick Tracy Returns“, „G-Men vs. the Black Dragon“, „Daredevils of the Red Circle“, „Zorro’s Fighting Legion“, and „Drums of Fu Manchu“. Prolific and pugnacious, Witney began directing while still in his 20s, and continued working until 1982. Colbert Clark, Witney’s brother-in-law, introduced him to films by letting him ride in some chase scenes for the serial „Fighting with Kit Carson“ (1933). Witney stayed around the Mascot Pictures headquarters while preparing for the entrance exam to the U.S. Naval Academy. After he failed that exam, he continued at the studio. In 1936 Mascot was absorbed by Republic, and Witney was now working for studio president Herbert Yates. He was an assistant on the serial „The Painted Stallion“ when director Ray Taylor’s drinking problem had gotten out of hand and Taylor had to leave the location. Witney replaced Taylor, and became a director permanently. During World War II he served in the US Marine Corps combat cameraman unit. Following the war, Witney returned to public directing many of Roy Rogers’ and Rex Allen’s Westerns. Witney is credited with devising the modern system of filming movie fight sequences. Instead of filming a crowd of people wildly throwing punches at each other, as in a barroom brawl, Witney broke the action down into separate, carefully choreographed shots, which he patterned after the dance sequences in Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musicals.

This stylized espionage thriller doesn’t have the most unique plot, the best actors, or the greatest cinematography. But what it has going for it is atmosphere. An atmosphere of low-rent criminals, sleaze, and the type of world-weariness and despair you’d expect to find on the margins of polite society. This pretty good little programmer is less about the story, than it is about taking the viewer a cinematic sojourn through the frighteningly sleazy shadows of sun-baked Los Angeles. Plus, there’s a pretty great fight sequence in a warehouse at the end of the movie.

A cheap, quick, entertaining crime B-noir gem with a fun plot complete with the requisite Mcguffin! A cat burglar, a pawnshop owner, a lying boyfriend, a nasty landlady, a couple of thugs, and a nice lady caught in the middle. Criminal idiocy in the Elmore Leonard style. It also boasts a cool jazz soundtrack.

Cast:

• Jack Hogan – Jack Coley
• June Kenney – Nan Baker
• John Baer – Alan Sheridan
• Gregg Palmer – Reed Taylor
• Will J. White – Leo Joseph
• Gene Roth – Pete
• Bruno VeSota – Muskie
• Billie Bird – Mrs. Prattle
• Tommy Ivo – Willie Prattle
• Hal Torey – Officer Regan
• Cosmo Sardo – Pawn Shop Customer