Joseph Stefano (who wrote the script for PSYCHO), is responsible for this script which is fine until about mid-point when the story starts to fall apart. He drops the theme of terrifying cats for awhile and then has them emerge once more just for the rather hokey climax.
But it's stylishly done. You can feel Brian dePalma's influence on director David Lowell Rich right from the opening montage of cat stalkers against colorful backgrounds. There's a stately elegance to the home of the rich wheelchair bound widow (ELEANOR PARKER), a home where she is presumably being protected by numerous felines roaming around freely. She needs protecting. Seems her hairdresser (GAYLE HUNNICUTT) is scheming with Parker's nephew to kill the woman and get a hold of her inheritance which she threatens to leave to the cats unless she is able to locate her missing nephew.
It's a good little thriller with some edge of the chair moments that grip the audience, but none of it seems too plausible with stilted dialog and overly melodramatic moments that seem terribly contrived.
For suspense and the compensation of watching Eleanor Parker in one of her latter day roles, it's probably worth viewing. Just don't expect anything on the level of PSYCHO.
But it's stylishly done. You can feel Brian dePalma's influence on director David Lowell Rich right from the opening montage of cat stalkers against colorful backgrounds. There's a stately elegance to the home of the rich wheelchair bound widow (ELEANOR PARKER), a home where she is presumably being protected by numerous felines roaming around freely. She needs protecting. Seems her hairdresser (GAYLE HUNNICUTT) is scheming with Parker's nephew to kill the woman and get a hold of her inheritance which she threatens to leave to the cats unless she is able to locate her missing nephew.
It's a good little thriller with some edge of the chair moments that grip the audience, but none of it seems too plausible with stilted dialog and overly melodramatic moments that seem terribly contrived.
For suspense and the compensation of watching Eleanor Parker in one of her latter day roles, it's probably worth viewing. Just don't expect anything on the level of PSYCHO.