pixrox1 Review of The Framed Cat

The Framed Cat (1950)

This exploration of animal magnetism leaves a lot to be . . .

[6/10 · 10 October 2022]

. . . desired. THE FRAMED CAT only gives scant lip service to the basis for magnetic critters--Mesmerism--in the form of Spike's jaws and toothy jowls. Some psychologist viewers have pointed out that there's a scene here in which Tom seems to hypnotize Spike by balancing a large bone on the mutt's nose, but most shrinks dismiss this gambit as cheap skulduggery. Franz Mesmer himself, of course, attributed the powers of animal magnetism to carrots and onions, as well, which is a plot line which appears to be carried further in the nearly concurrent Tom and Jerry episode, HIS MOUSE FRIDAY. These v-i-t-a-l-i-s-t theories attracted numerous followers in both Europe and America, but that was back in the 1800's. By the time THE FRAMED CAT was produced, this should have been water under the barge.