Is That Darn Cat! Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, That Darn Cat! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies.
It features a runtime of 112 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
That Darn Cat! Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1965, That Darn Cat! emerges as a significant entry in the Family, Comedy, Crime domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A young woman suspects foul play when her cat comes home wearing a wristwatch. Unlike standard genre fare, That Darn Cat! attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Family is often anchored by its ensemble, and That Darn Cat! features a noteworthy lineup led by Hayley Mills . Supported by the likes of Dean Jones and Dorothy Provine , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of That Darn Cat! (1965) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
That Darn Cat! Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: That Darn Cat! is a Family, Comedy, Crime film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
That Darn Cat! Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: That Darn Cat! concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to family resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the family themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of That Darn Cat! reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
That Darn Cat! Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
That Darn Cat! incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a family, comedy, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: That Darn Cat! adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch That Darn Cat!?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
That Darn Cat! Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $28.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
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Full Cast & Crew of That Darn Cat!
- Hayley Mills – Patti Randall
- Dean Jones – Zeke Kelso
- Dorothy Provine – Ingrid Randall
- Roddy McDowall – Gregory Benson
- Frank Gorshin – Iggy
Top Highlights
Hayley MillsPatti Randall
Dean JonesZeke Kelso
Dorothy ProvineIngrid Randall
Roddy McDowallGregory Benson
Frank GorshinIggy
Neville BrandDan
Elsa LanchesterMrs. MacDougall
William DemarestMr. MacDougall
Richard EasthamSupervisor Newton
Grayson HallMargaret Miller
Where to Watch That Darn Cat! Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
VI movies and tvParents Guide & Age Rating
That Darn Cat! is rated G. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.6/10, and global collection metrics, That Darn Cat! stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1965 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is That Darn Cat! movie hit or flop?
That Darn Cat! has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is That Darn Cat! worth watching?
That Darn Cat! is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Family, Comedy, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch That Darn Cat! online?
That Darn Cat! is currently available for streaming on VI movies and tv. You can also check for it on platforms like VI movies and tv depending on your region.
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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.
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