When an American falls in love with a Serbian immigrant who tells him of an ancient curse on her family, he refuses to believe in her stories of supernatural enchantments. Later, when his relationship turns sour and he falls in love with somebody else, he realises that he might be wrong after all...
That's the basic plot of this Val Lewton-produced horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur, who later went on to direct one of my favourite horror films of all time – 1957's superlative NIGHT OF THE DEMON. CAT PEOPLE, like the rest of the Lewton-made horrors in the 1940s, is an understated and atmospheric mystery that works to develop a spell-bindingly sinister theme rather than relying on aged horror stars or on-screen shocks.
Indeed, many of the well-remembered set-pieces in this movie: the bit in the swimming baths, or the long walk down a lonely lane – don't actually show anything at all, but work thanks to murky, shifting shadows and the well-timed interlude of a sudden loud noise. It's a masterclass in mood, with the technicians at the top of their game.
The story itself is rather slight and lacking in incident, and it's fair to say that the film has dated somewhat as the years have gone by. Still, it's worth a look for those interested in how the horror genre has developed over the years.
That's the basic plot of this Val Lewton-produced horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur, who later went on to direct one of my favourite horror films of all time – 1957's superlative NIGHT OF THE DEMON. CAT PEOPLE, like the rest of the Lewton-made horrors in the 1940s, is an understated and atmospheric mystery that works to develop a spell-bindingly sinister theme rather than relying on aged horror stars or on-screen shocks.
Indeed, many of the well-remembered set-pieces in this movie: the bit in the swimming baths, or the long walk down a lonely lane – don't actually show anything at all, but work thanks to murky, shifting shadows and the well-timed interlude of a sudden loud noise. It's a masterclass in mood, with the technicians at the top of their game.
The story itself is rather slight and lacking in incident, and it's fair to say that the film has dated somewhat as the years have gone by. Still, it's worth a look for those interested in how the horror genre has developed over the years.