That Darn Cat!
That Darn Cat! Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Movie Overview: That Darn Cat!
| Movie | That Darn Cat! |
| Release Year | 1965 |
| Director | Robert Stevenson |
| Genre | Family / Crime / Comedy |
| Runtime | 116 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is That Darn Cat! (1965) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in That Darn Cat! are led by Hayley Mills . The supporting cast, including Dean Jones and Dorothy Provine , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
That Darn Cat! stands out as a strong entry in the Family genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Family narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, That Darn Cat! has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Family fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: That Darn Cat!
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1965, That Darn Cat! is a Family, Crime, Comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Hayley Mills.
Ending Explained: That Darn Cat!
That Darn Cat! Ending Explained: Directed by Robert Stevenson, That Darn Cat! wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core family themes developed throughout the film.
The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Hayley Mills. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the family themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of That Darn Cat! reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
That Darn Cat! Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is That Darn Cat! Based on a True Story?
That Darn Cat! draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a family, crime, comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: That Darn Cat! uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch That Darn Cat!?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Hayley Mills or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: That Darn Cat!
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $28.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: That Darn Cat!
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch That Darn Cat! Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
VI movies and tvThat Darn Cat! Parents Guide & Age Rating
1965 AdvisoryWondering about That Darn Cat! age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of That Darn Cat! is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, That Darn Cat! is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1965 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is That Darn Cat! worth watching?
That Darn Cat! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find That Darn Cat! parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for That Darn Cat! identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of That Darn Cat!?
The total duration of That Darn Cat! is 116 minutes, which is approximately 1h 56m long.
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How That Darn Cat! Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for That Darn Cat!
What time is it Kitty Kat? That Darn Cat! is out of Disney Productions and directed by Robert Stevenson. Collectively written by Bill Walsh and The Gordons (Mildred & Gordon), it stars Hayley Mills, Dean Jones, Dorothy Provine, Roddy McDowall, Neville Brand and Frank Gorshin. Music is by Robert F. Brunner and cinematography by Edward Colman. When DC the Siamese cat is found to have a watch around his neck, one of his owners, Pattii Randall (Mills), alerts the FBI to the possibility it's a clue to a recent kidnapping. Cue much malarkey as humans and cat try to solve the crime whilst staying one step/paw ahead of the criminals... Utterly harmless fluff from the House of the Mouse, That Darn Cat! is basically a live action cartoon. Away from the wonderful cat(s) performance - and the skillful capturing of said cat(s) reactions to situations - there's no great technical genius here. Nothing wrong with that, this is good old fashioned entertainment for the kids to chuckle along with and for the adults to smile at. Yes some of the performances are twee or precious, and the story is silly, but it's honest family fare that's also boosted by Ed Wynn and Elsa Lanchester in secondary support slots. 6.5/10
Funny, probably the most I've laughed at a Disney film so far. 'That Darn Cat!' is an entertaining production. The premise, whilst not incredibly executed, is amusing and very watchable. Cast-wise it's terrific, Hayley Mills and Dean Jones certainly raise everyone else up but all the characters are astutely cast. DC the cat is adorable, too. Mills plays Patti while Jones portrays Kelso. They both work very well together, I enjoyed both performances. Ed Wynn has, like in 'Those Calloways', a good short showing. No others stand out per se, but they all bring little things to their respective roles. I do wish they would've done more with the villains though, given they were nicely cast. What they give is decent, but they definitely could've played a bigger part. The film probably runs 10-15 minutes too long also. You should watch this if you get the opportunity, it makes for fun viewing.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
