The Curse of the Cat People

The Curse of the Cat People is a 1944 film about a girl whose imaginary friend is the deceased first wife of her father.

Directed by Robert Wise. Written by DeWitt Bodeen.

A tender tale of terror!  (taglines)

Amy Reed

• I came to an old, dark house, and a voice called to me... a lovely, sweet voice.

Miss Callahan

• Children love to dream things up.

• Take a good look. It may seem just a little valley with a little stream running through it. But, no. There are songs and stories and lovely legends about this one blessed spot. It's Sleepy Hollow. And now, just because you happen to be the kindergarten class in the very favorite village of Tarrytown, you may run and play in Sleepy Hollow for - exactly 15 minutes.

Oliver 'Ollie' Reed

• I know what can happen when people begin to lie to themselves. Imagine things. I love Amy too much to let her lose herself in a dream world where - butterflies become pals. I saw what happened to Irena with her Cat People.

Ghost of Irena

• I come from great darkness and deep peace.

• Throw seaweed into the flames, and the fire turns blue.

Other

• Mrs. Julia Farren: Do you know the story of the headless horseman? You live right here in Tarrytown and don't know the Legend of Sleepy Hollow?

Dialogue

Alice Reed: Amy's never been punished before. Not that way.

Miss Callahan: It's best for you not to interfere... After all, the first spanking-it's an important occasion.

---

Miss Callahan: Something to do with a butterfly. They were quarreling about it.

Oliver 'Ollie' Reed: No. Amy slapped Arnold because he hurt the butterfly and - it was her friend. Amy has too many fancies and too few friends. And it worries me. It doesn't seem - normal.

Alice Reed: You know these fawning fathers with their only chicks.

Taglines

• A tender tale of terror!
• The Black Menace Creeps Again!
• Strange, Forbidding, Thrilling

Cast

Julia Dean and Ann Carter.

• Simone Simon — Irena Reed
• Kent Smith — Oliver Reed
• Jane Randolph — Alice Reed
• Ann Carter — Amy Reed
• Eve March — Miss Callahan, Amy's teacher
• Julia Dean — Mrs. Julia Farren
• Elizabeth Russell — Barbara Farren
• Erford Gage — Police Captain
• Sir Lancelot — Edward, Reed's butler/cook

External links

• The Curse of the Cat People quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• The Curse of the Cat People at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Curse of the Cat People at Allmovie