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Drama western

Track of the Cat (1954): Cast & Plot

Track of the Cat (1954) movie poster

Track of the Cat is a 1954 drama western directed by William A. Wellman, starring Robert Mitchum as Curt Bridges, William Hopper and Tab Hunter. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes.

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Track of the Cat (1954) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Genres
Drama , Western
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Track of the Cat About?

The premise of Track of the Cat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A raw, passionate love story set amid a sprawling ranch in a mountain valley near Aspen. As the first major winter snowstorm descends, a dangerous family saga unfolds, with tense, complex dynamics and the looming threat of a massive, seemingly mythic panther that stalks and kills the cattle.

Track of the Cat Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 19th century
  • remake
  • based on novel
  • graveside service
  • dysfunctional family
  • reading the bible
  • panther demon
  • man woman romance
  • unseen monster
  • horseback riding
  • animal attack
  • cave
+38 more
  • interrupted sex
  • drinking kerosene
  • native american
  • 1890s
  • neighbor neighbor relationship
  • kiss
  • classical western
  • revisionist western
  • horse
  • noir western
  • panther
  • snowstorm
  • mountain
  • track
  • cattle
  • ranch
  • alcoholic father
  • falling into a canyon
  • panic
  • burning pages of a book
  • signal fire
  • setting tree on fire
  • lighting fire
  • bible quote
  • grave digging
  • reference to keats
  • caught kissing
  • building a coffin
  • indecisiveness
  • drunkenness
  • whiskey bottle
  • killer animal
  • killed by an animal
  • manhood
  • mother disapproves of girlfriend
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • death of brother
  • snow shoes
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Cast & crew

Track of the Cat Cast & Characters

Robert Mitchum leads the cast as Curt Bridges, with William Hopper as Arthur Bridges and Tab Hunter as Harold Bridges. Directed by William A. Wellman; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Track of the Cat

· 4 more
From the director

More from William A. Wellman

More films directed by William A. Wellman, best-rated first: The Public Enemy, Wings, A Star Is Born and Nothing Sacred.

Full filmography
Plot

Track of the Cat Plot Summary

What happens in Track of the Cat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During a harsh winter on their remote Northern California ranch in the early 1900s, the Bridges family is fractured by quarrels and fear. Curt Bridges, crude and domineering, bullies his modest, unassuming older brother Arthur Bridges, while youngest brother Harold Bridges endures the abuse in silence.

The family dynamics are sharpened by the adults: Ma Bridges, a bigoted religious zealot, and Pa Bridges, a loquacious, self-pitying drunk.

Bitter unmarried sister Grace Bridges is briefly gladdened by the arrival of Harold’s fiancée, the spirited Gwen Williams.

The hired Indian hand, Joe Sam, warns of a panther prowling the hills — a threat tied to a past tragedy when his own family was wiped out by the cat. Joe Sam’s superstitions irritate Curt, who pushes Arthur to go after the creature.

Full summary

The whole story of Track of the Cat, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Track of the Cat Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Track of the Cat - Trailer
  • Trailer Imprint Blu-ray Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Track 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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What type of animal is prowling the hills near the Bridges ranch?

Seen Track of the Cat?

FAQ

Track of the Cat FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Track of the Cat, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Track of the Cat?

Track of the Cat runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Track of the Cat released?

Track of the Cat was released on November 19, 1954.

Who directed Track of the Cat?

Track of the Cat was directed by William A. Wellman.

More films by William A. Wellman

Who is in the cast of Track of the Cat?

Track of the Cat stars Robert Mitchum as Curt Bridges, William Hopper as Arthur Bridges and Tab Hunter as Harold Bridges, among 8 credited actors.

Does Track of the Cat have a post-credit scene?

No. Track of the Cat has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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