I just finished watching this film from 1961 as directed by William Witney on the Trio Channel. It's a quick paced film that according to the folks here at IMDB has a 65 minute run time. Trio put it in a 90 minute slot with a lot of commercials so that time seems about right. Anyway, I got a total kick out of the movie which featured a cool 60's "beatnik" type soundtrack and had a fella by the name of Jack Hogan in the lead. Fans of the 60's TV series COMBAT! will recognize Jack as the BAR toting William G. Kirby. A fun flick that I wouldn't mind seeing on DVD down the road and a very big favorite of Quentin Tarantino's. He's a big William Witney fan and he always thought the film was lost but Trio found it and also aired the trailer for the film afterwards. Good stuff.
12 Reviews
More of a Dog Person but this Cat's Kinda Cool
daoldiges23 February 2024
The Cat Burglar starts off nice and strong as we enter in the midst of the cat burglar in action. The sequence is well done and engaging, from the direction, acting, and soundtrack, it's all working. It continues on fairly solid ground but by midpoint it starts to get slightly complicated and a bit cumbersome. Still the soundtrack is working and we do get some new and kind of interesting characters along the way. Despite some ebbing the pace remains fairly brisk and everything does seem to manage to coalesce toward the film's finish line. Overall, The Cat Burglar still manages to be kind of fun and worth checking out.
Most government papers end up lining cat boxes anyway.
mark.waltz6 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A hysterical twist in this convoluted but frequently enjoyable grade B thriller involving the theft of a brief case that contains secret papers, and what happens when the crook (Jack Hogan) tries to sell them back to the briefcase's guardian (June Kenney). She's been holding onto it for boyfriend John Baer who had just said goodnight before cat burglar Hogan broke in. He has some amusing conversations with salty landlady (the fabulous Billie Bird!), and desperate to get rent money, resorts to blackmail.
At just over an hour, this complex crime drama has enough twists and turns to confuse and amuse. Made for an independent division of United Artists that produced a dozen or so of these, equally action packed and thrilling (if too easily wrapped up), definitely secondary features that could easily have been dramatic TV specials, made almost a decade before the movie of the week was created. Decent performances by non-stars, interesting in spite of the complexity, and good for a thrill or two, but definitely not classics. Bird walks off with the film, just as she would do when John Hughes hired her regularly over two decades later. Make that Bird and the jazzy musical theme.
At just over an hour, this complex crime drama has enough twists and turns to confuse and amuse. Made for an independent division of United Artists that produced a dozen or so of these, equally action packed and thrilling (if too easily wrapped up), definitely secondary features that could easily have been dramatic TV specials, made almost a decade before the movie of the week was created. Decent performances by non-stars, interesting in spite of the complexity, and good for a thrill or two, but definitely not classics. Bird walks off with the film, just as she would do when John Hughes hired her regularly over two decades later. Make that Bird and the jazzy musical theme.
The Missing Pages
richardchatten18 December 2023
Directed with some style by the man Quentin Tarentino described "one of the greatest action directors in the history of the business", 'The Cat Burglar' perfect exemplifies the sort of film on which the young fellow misspent his youth consuming.
Produced by Roger Corman's brother Gene, who enlisted Corman regulars like Daniel Haller and scripted by actor Leo Gordon - who shows quite a capacity for quirkiness when one of the crooks vents his rage by snarling "You stupid insipid fool!!" and naming a landlady 'Mrs Prattle'.
In true Tarantino fashion the criminal fraternity are depicted as simple working stiffs. While the plot gets rather involved and the general tone is rather deadpan, Buddy Bergman's jazz score suggests otherwise.
Produced by Roger Corman's brother Gene, who enlisted Corman regulars like Daniel Haller and scripted by actor Leo Gordon - who shows quite a capacity for quirkiness when one of the crooks vents his rage by snarling "You stupid insipid fool!!" and naming a landlady 'Mrs Prattle'.
In true Tarantino fashion the criminal fraternity are depicted as simple working stiffs. While the plot gets rather involved and the general tone is rather deadpan, Buddy Bergman's jazz score suggests otherwise.
Burglar biting off more than he can chew
myriamlenys1 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"The cat burglar" is a crime movie that seems to have been made on a limited budget. In spite of the budgetary constraints it tells a taut, twisty tale about - you've guessed it - a cat burglar who steals a number of objects, including a briefcase. The briefcase and its contents become the stakes of an ever more complicated game involving landladies, dupes, fences, spies and fake policemen. As the financial value of the documents rises, so does the cost in human lives.
The movie is notable for featuring an unlikeable protagonist. However, our cat burglar is not the only unsympathetic character. Almost everybody is, to a greater or lesser extent, gullible, greedy, dishonest or cruel. Near the end the burglar gets offered a modest chance at redemption, which he accepts. But it might be wrong to say he's becoming good ; perhaps it might be more accurate to state that he is, and always has been, less evil than some of the other sharks circling around.
I can't say that I liked the music - it was too intrusive for my taste - but on the whole I enjoyed this little crime movie.
Am I the only one to think that the cat burglar was, well, incompetent at his chosen profession ? Moral considerations aside, if your dangerous adventures (climbing, fighting, fleeing etcetera) only leave you with a few random objects, the value of which you don't know how to assess, it might be advisable to turn over a new leaf and start breeding show parakeets.
The movie is notable for featuring an unlikeable protagonist. However, our cat burglar is not the only unsympathetic character. Almost everybody is, to a greater or lesser extent, gullible, greedy, dishonest or cruel. Near the end the burglar gets offered a modest chance at redemption, which he accepts. But it might be wrong to say he's becoming good ; perhaps it might be more accurate to state that he is, and always has been, less evil than some of the other sharks circling around.
I can't say that I liked the music - it was too intrusive for my taste - but on the whole I enjoyed this little crime movie.
Am I the only one to think that the cat burglar was, well, incompetent at his chosen profession ? Moral considerations aside, if your dangerous adventures (climbing, fighting, fleeing etcetera) only leave you with a few random objects, the value of which you don't know how to assess, it might be advisable to turn over a new leaf and start breeding show parakeets.
JAZZY "B" CRIME-ESPIONAGE ENTRY...HARD-BOILED & SEMI-SLEAZY
LeonLouisRicci29 February 2024
In Low-Rent Los Angeles (rent $9 per wk) that our Anti-Hero, Jack Hogan, has Trouble Paying, and is Badgered by a Mumbling Landlady (Billie Bird), becomes Involved by Happenstance in a Spy-Ring Moving Sensitive Documents.
The Papers were in a Briefcase of His Latest "Clout", an also Innocent June Kenney.
It's Her Boyfriend that's the Bad-Guy who Used Her to Unwittingly Procure the Papers.
Inspired by Sam Fuller's "Pickup on South Street" (1953), one Guesses.
The Movie Moves Along with an Initially "Cool Pink Pantherish" Score (Buddy Bergman), that is Used a bit too Much and Loses some of its Nifty.
The Digs are Low-Life, like a Pawn-Brokers Place, the Filthy Apt. Of an Obese Whino (Bruno DeSota), and the Obligatory Warehouse Climax that is Filmed with Some Style, as was the Opening, by Director William Whitney.
Produced by Roger Corman's Brother Gene, it has All the Ingredients that Make for Some Slumming by "Buffs", like a Young Quentin Tarantino, that Touts this Cheap Thrill with Gusto.
At 65 min. It Never Wears-Out Before it's Over and Overall is Above Average for its Type with some Hard-Boiled Fisticuffs, and a Feline Tie-In that's a Hoot.
Worth a Watch.
The Papers were in a Briefcase of His Latest "Clout", an also Innocent June Kenney.
It's Her Boyfriend that's the Bad-Guy who Used Her to Unwittingly Procure the Papers.
Inspired by Sam Fuller's "Pickup on South Street" (1953), one Guesses.
The Movie Moves Along with an Initially "Cool Pink Pantherish" Score (Buddy Bergman), that is Used a bit too Much and Loses some of its Nifty.
The Digs are Low-Life, like a Pawn-Brokers Place, the Filthy Apt. Of an Obese Whino (Bruno DeSota), and the Obligatory Warehouse Climax that is Filmed with Some Style, as was the Opening, by Director William Whitney.
Produced by Roger Corman's Brother Gene, it has All the Ingredients that Make for Some Slumming by "Buffs", like a Young Quentin Tarantino, that Touts this Cheap Thrill with Gusto.
At 65 min. It Never Wears-Out Before it's Over and Overall is Above Average for its Type with some Hard-Boiled Fisticuffs, and a Feline Tie-In that's a Hoot.
Worth a Watch.
Smooth Thievery becomes Illogical
wes-connors15 September 2007
Jack Hogan is "The Cat Burglar" who steals the briefcase sexy blonde June Kenney (as Nan) is holding for her secretive suitor John Baer (as Alan). He is really out for her jewels, but picks up the briefcase as an afterthought. Unbeknownst, he has acquired a notebook filled with top secret spy formula doodling - the stuff men KILL, and DIE, for!
This film begins with fluid direction from William Witney, mirrored cat-like burgling by Mr. Hogan, and cool soundtrack music from Buddy Bregman. As the plot develops, the film unravels. The soundtrack becomes annoyingly repetitive. The characters get lost in a wildly illogical story; possibly the most incredible element is the bonding (love?) of the characters played by Mr. Hogan and Ms. Kenney. The players continue to try, however; and, the warehouse climax is nicely shot.
*** The Cat Burglar (1961) William Witney ~ Jack Hogan, June Kenney, John Baer
This film begins with fluid direction from William Witney, mirrored cat-like burgling by Mr. Hogan, and cool soundtrack music from Buddy Bregman. As the plot develops, the film unravels. The soundtrack becomes annoyingly repetitive. The characters get lost in a wildly illogical story; possibly the most incredible element is the bonding (love?) of the characters played by Mr. Hogan and Ms. Kenney. The players continue to try, however; and, the warehouse climax is nicely shot.
*** The Cat Burglar (1961) William Witney ~ Jack Hogan, June Kenney, John Baer
Too cheap to succeed
Leofwine_draca19 November 2023
THE CAT BURGLAR is an hour long crime thriller that feels deservedly forgotten today. I wasn't sure if it was a Corman production or not but it certainly feels like one, minus that veneer of quality that Corman usually manages to add to his productions. The protagonist is an unscrupulous thief who finds himself in possession of some plans that bigwigs want back, and of course he's soon in a whole world of pain. This feels like an attempt to tell a 1940s-style film noir on a tiny budget, so it doesn't really work too well, but it is fun to see a production where the hero is so fallible and at risk from every angle.
The Cat Burglar (1961)
trimbolicelia6 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Not my usual cup-of-tea, but an interesting unusual noirish drama thriller. Made in 1961 by Gene Corman, the story is about a cat burglar who unknowingly steals important papers that thuggish traitors are hot after. At one-point the thugs beat up the burglar, a rather unpleasant scene. Also involved is an innocent secretary who was used, for her part unknowingly, as a courier. She displays an interest in the burglar. A more unlikely pair I can't imagine. In the end the burglar develops some patriotism and foils the bad guys. A downer, but not unexpected ending.
Better Than Expected
dougdoepke3 December 2017
Pretty good little programmer. Actor Hogan's sneak thief Jack Coley is no typical hero of the time— he steals, lies, and gets beaten up. But he is patriotic. Seems he steals from an unwitting courier (Kenney) hand-drawn diagrams for some important Soviet plans. Trouble is he doesn't know the significance of the notebook he steals, which came in a briefcase with his real target, a pile of jewels. So the diagrams end up lining a cat box! This sets off a chain reaction among the many players that goes from slum-dwellers in rags to guys in spiffy suits. The ending is shrewdly ambiguous given what's gone before.
I love the sleaze-ball parts, especially Ms Pray-tell, who's a landlady from heck. And that's along with Muskie (VeSota) looking like a toad that swallowed a beach-ball. Then there's the rat-trap rooms where Jimmy Hoffa may still be hiding. All totaled, these sets may have cost a buck-eighty. Anyway, Nan's (Kenney) a fetching innocent among the low-lifes, while Hogan at times resembles a darker Steve McQueen.
All in all, the 60-minutes manages some interesting touches, mainly from the pen of premier bad guy Leo Gordon working here as screenwriter. In some ways, not all (lighting), there's an over-leap here of 40's noir beyond the air- brushed 1950's to the '60's. Anyway, my advice is not to struggle with the many plot convolutions, but glam onto the characters, settings, and jazz score. The sum total may not be memorable, but it is worth it.
I love the sleaze-ball parts, especially Ms Pray-tell, who's a landlady from heck. And that's along with Muskie (VeSota) looking like a toad that swallowed a beach-ball. Then there's the rat-trap rooms where Jimmy Hoffa may still be hiding. All totaled, these sets may have cost a buck-eighty. Anyway, Nan's (Kenney) a fetching innocent among the low-lifes, while Hogan at times resembles a darker Steve McQueen.
All in all, the 60-minutes manages some interesting touches, mainly from the pen of premier bad guy Leo Gordon working here as screenwriter. In some ways, not all (lighting), there's an over-leap here of 40's noir beyond the air- brushed 1950's to the '60's. Anyway, my advice is not to struggle with the many plot convolutions, but glam onto the characters, settings, and jazz score. The sum total may not be memorable, but it is worth it.
"You One Of Them Snoopy Welfare Dames?!"...
azathothpwiggins9 August 2021
The titular thief, Jack Coley (Jack Hogan) finds himself in deep trouble after he steals a certain briefcase. Now, government types are involved, while Jack remains oblivious to just how valuable and dangerous the briefcase's contents are.
THE CAT BURGLAR takes us along with Jack's victim Nan Baker (June Kenney) as she desperately tries to track him down. Along the way, she encounters some pretty shady characters, two of whom are played by Bruno VeSota and Gene Roth!
This is an entertaining crime / espionage thriller complete with the requisite Mcguffin! It also boasts a cool jazz soundtrack...
THE CAT BURGLAR takes us along with Jack's victim Nan Baker (June Kenney) as she desperately tries to track him down. Along the way, she encounters some pretty shady characters, two of whom are played by Bruno VeSota and Gene Roth!
This is an entertaining crime / espionage thriller complete with the requisite Mcguffin! It also boasts a cool jazz soundtrack...
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