The Shadow of the Cat (1961): Cast & Plot
The Shadow of the Cat is a 1961 horror thriller directed by John Gilling, starring Catherine Lacey as Ella Venable, Andrew Crawford and André Morell. It runs 1 hour 19 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 19m (79 min)
- Director
- John Gilling
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Hammer Film Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Shadow of the Cat About?
The premise of The Shadow of the Cat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Was it a supernatural force or a psychotic compulsion that drove five deranged killers to their own destruction? After her mistress is murdered, Tabitha—once a calm, gentle pet—turns into a ferocious, wild animal. Three of the guilty are ensnared by the cat’s power, meeting horrific, untimely deaths that remain an unsolved mystery.
The Shadow of the Cat Cast & Characters
Catherine Lacey leads the cast as Ella Venable, with Andrew Crawford as Andrew and André Morell as Walter Venable. Directed by John Gilling; 22 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Gilling
- Catherine Lacey as Ella Venable
- Andrew Crawford as Andrew
- André Morell as Walter Venable
- Alan Wheatley as Inspector Rowles
Also Starring in The Shadow of the Cat
· 18 more- Conrad Phillips Michael Latimer
- Barbara Shelley Beth Venable
- Richard Warner Edgar Venable
- William Lucas Jacob Venable
- Vanda Godsell Louise Venable
- Freda Jackson Clara, the Maid
- Kynaston Reeves The Grandfather
- Fred Stone Ambulance Man (uncredited)
- Kevin Stoney Father (uncredited)
- John Dearth Constable Hamer (uncredited)
- Henry Kendall The Doctor (uncredited)
- Peter Evans Constable (uncredited)
- Vera Cook The Mother (uncredited)
- Angela Crow The Daughter (uncredited)
- Charles Stanley Dobbins (uncredited)
- Howard Knight The Son (uncredited)
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Rodney Burke Workman (uncredited)
- George Doonan Ambulance Man (uncredited)
More from John Gilling
More films directed by John Gilling: Cross of the Devil, The Mummy’s Shroud, Where the Bullets Fly and The Reptile.
The Shadow of the Cat Plot Summary
What happens in The Shadow of the Cat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Late at night in early 1900s England, wealthy and elderly Ella Venable is murdered in her manor house by Andrew, the butler, in collusion with Walter Venable and Clara the maid. Tabitha, Ella’s tabby cat, witnesses the crime. The murderers resolve to kill her. Walter forces Ella to sign a will that leaves everything to him. However, her original will — which left Walter nothing — remains hidden in the attic. Walter needs to find and destroy this original will to secure his inheritance.
Inspector Rowles and Michael Latimer are called to the house to investigate Ella’s disappearance. Beth Venable, Ella’s favorite niece, is invited to stay at the house. Beth and Michael are old friends from when she lived with Ella, and they become increasingly close.
Full summary
The whole story of The Shadow of the Cat, scene by scene
The Shadow of the Cat Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Shadow of the Cat.
How Well Do You Know The Shadow of the Cat?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the elderly lady whose murder sets the plot in motion?
Cars in The Shadow of the Cat
1 car on screen: the 1903 Mercedes Simplex 18/22.
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1903 Mercedes Simplex 18/22 Main role
The Shadow of the Cat Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Призрак кота” and “A Sombra do Gato”.
- Also known as
-
- Призрак кота
- A Sombra do Gato
- L'ombra del gatto
- Le Spectre du Chat
- Schatten einer Katze
- 猫影
- Тень кошки
Seen The Shadow of the Cat?
The Shadow of the Cat FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Shadow of the Cat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Shadow of the Cat?
The Shadow of the Cat runs 1 hour 19 minutes (79 minutes).
When was The Shadow of the Cat released?
The Shadow of the Cat was released on May 1, 1961.
Who directed The Shadow of the Cat?
The Shadow of the Cat was directed by John Gilling.
More films by John Gilling Who is in the cast of The Shadow of the Cat?
The Shadow of the Cat stars Catherine Lacey as Ella Venable, Andrew Crawford as Andrew and André Morell as Walter Venable, among 22 credited actors.
Does The Shadow of the Cat have a post-credit scene?
No. The Shadow of the Cat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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