This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Earl Kessler Jr.) was limited to 4,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Welcome Vinegar Syndrome Labs (VSL) to the VS Sub-Label family! As with each of our sub-labels we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome.
When a wealthy widow sends a one thousand dollar bill to the local newspaper claiming murder, blackmail, a corrupt politician and $200,000 fortune to be had, it's up to reporter Terry Nichols and photographer Pidge 'Flash' Laurie to figure out the nefarious plot and clear the politician's (who's Terry's soon-to-be father-in-law) name. But they won't be alone. Among the colorful cast of characters are Terry's beautiful fiancee, a lawyer with his feline phobic secretary, a very deceiving private detective, and finally a mysterious woman and her even stranger black cat, which maybe involved with the murders itself!
From director Erle C. Kenton – whose classic shockers include HOUSE OF DRACULA, THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN and ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, comes the 1946 melodrama that marked the end of the Universal Pictures ‘Golden Age of Horror’: THE CAT CREEPS. Noah Beery Jr. (RED RIVER, THE ROCKFORD FILES), Lois Collier (COBRA WOMAN) and Paul Kelly (FEAR IN THE NIGHT) star in this supernatural thriller influenced by equal parts THE CAT AND THE CANARY, THE OLD DARK HOUSE and the wildly popular ‘mystery plays’ of the 1940’s, now scanned and restored in 2K by Vinegar Syndrome Labs from its 35mm dupe negative.
directed by: Erle C. Kenton
starring: Lois Collier, Fred Brady, Paul Kelly, Noah Beery Jr., Douglass Dumbrille, Rose Hobart
1946 / 58 min / 1.37:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.363296 / 5 from 267 reviews.
The Cat Creeps Blu-ray offers a restored 1946 horror film with a classic style and excellent picture quality. Customers praised the fantastic transfer, stunning restoration, and great release from Vinegar Syndrome. The package and looks were also highly commended.
Review topics: ["quality","shipping","looks","work","packaging","cover","effort","set","sound","price","buy","film","movie","release","horror","mystery","transfer","restoration","thriller","cat","slipcover","flick","creep","cinematography","title","house","extras","artwork","treatment","watch"].
"Plot: A reporter and a photographer investigate a bizarre murder plot tied to a fortune, a remote estate, and a mysterious black cat rumored to possess the soul of a dead woman. It is widely noted as the final film of Universal's 1940s "Golden Age of Horror""
"More mystery than horror. Even though the cover makes it look like a movie inspired by Cat People, there are no supernatural elements at all. Nonetheless, it's a charming little film, though it's probably not VS's cup of tea."
"Terry Nichols, a wisecracking news reporter with a heart of gold, gets the assignment to investigate the claims of a murder that happened 15 years ago and the possible connection to senator Walter Elliot. His relationship with the senator's daughter Gay complicates matters but his professional curiosity gets the better of him. Together with his pal Pidge, Elliot's lawyer McGalvey, his assistant Connie and shady private investigator Ken Grady they leave for a small island off the coast where Elliot's older and crazy sister lives to get to the bottom of things. That sister isn't alone though since she lives with a black cat. When the older sister is killed, suspicion rises that the spirit of the old woman has been absorbed by that darn cat. For a scant 60 minutes, the cast of the characters get to creep around the old house on the island to find out who murdered 15 years ago and if there's any truth in the rumour that 200. 000 dollars are hidden somewhere on that island. In reality, there is not too much tension. That's mainly due to the constant sarcastic and (sometimes slightly) sleazy banter between Nichols and his pal. At times quite amusing, sometimes tiring, it makes this film less a scary horror movie and more of an 'old dark house' mystery with a comical undertone. Nothing wrong with the technical side of things, as the house/set is sufficiently spooky and atmospheric and the lighting (with a couple of scenes greatly utilising shadows on the wall in darkened rooms to communicate the impending doom) is quite excellent. But the story gets a little messy (near the end it feels like they want to wrap up things a bit too quickly) and, as said before, there isn't really any tension to speak off. If I'm being honest, I was a bit surprised to see this film release by Vinegar Syndrome (under their VS Labs banner). The quality is very decent, though the print used wasn't in the best of shape. Got this in a sale because paying full price for 1 film of not even a full hour seems a little bit steep, especially when the film in question isn't too hot."
"Lovely transfer, great artwork."
"Universal specialized in these horror quickies back in the day and this one fits the formula fine. Cheap thrills and laughs but always a fun watch. Everyone in this cast does a decent job."
"A solid classic with a creepy ghoulish vibe."
"Great quality film. A blast to the past"
"Fun 40s horror involving cat possession. Great restoration of this classic. 4/5 stars!"
"Loved The Cat Creeps. Really entertaining and effective little horror!!!"
"A black cat is suspected of being possessed by the spirit of an elderly murdered woman."
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