CAT PEOPLE

Producer Val Lewton always put his own touch to a film. Cat People is an atmosphere picture, which, while not truly terrifying, is totally gripping: Kent Smith meets a small, kittenish Serbian girl, Irena, who is drawing stark fantasies of the panthers in the zoo. Irena lives a totally secluded life, in a house overlooking the zoo, where she surrounds herself with ornaments and pictures of cats, and listens to the panthers crying at night. Irena makes life difficult for her would-be suitor, for she is convinced that she is descended from a village of witches, and if she ever gets angry, emotional or passionate, she will transform into a giant, vicious cat and kill at random. Simone Simon gives such a believable performance as the beleaguered girl that we have to feel sorry for her, even if she is crazy. (Martin Hunt)