A psychologically intriguing Western that has much in common with the genre's Hollywood renaissance in the 1950s, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing stars Burt Reynolds as Jay Grobart, an outlaw who kidnaps the aristocratic Catherine Crocker (Sarah Miles) after she witnesses his gang pull a train robbery. Forced to travel with the desperadoes, Mrs. Crocker is repeatedly subjected to threats of sexual violence by two of the men (Jack Warden, Bo Hopkins), but is protected by the otherwise seemingly dispassionate Grobart. Meanwhile, the hostage's insufferable husband (George Hamilton) hires a bounty hunter (Lee J. Cobb) to track Grobart down, which proves relatively easy since the fugitive, who becomes the lonely Mrs. Crocker's lover, is headed into dangerous Indian territory for reasons that are as heartbreaking as they are illuminating. A harsh film that asks viewers to care about a hero who did something unforgivable but who finds love unexpectedly, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing is full of surprises. --Tom Keogh
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Nothing But A Glorified Harlequin Romance Comment: This old snoozer popped up on the expensive TV movie channels because of budgets or the writers strikebecause they're starting to show old cheap movies that don't cost them much.
I nearly fell asleep when the thing first came out. It hasn't gotten better with age! Every cliche' imaginable or stolen showed up in this thing.
Sarah Miles looked like a bustless knock-off of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Burt I think was trying to appear Indian with the inch thick brown pancake makeup.
And how many times was Catherine (Sarah's character) nearly raped? Gah!!! Over and over and over. Just get it done and let's get ON with this turkey!
The train holdup at the beginning was OK and the thing was downhill...wwwaaaayyyy downhill from there. I found it interesting....and my sister and I did a little Mystery Theatre 3000 while we were watching this, to aleviate the boredom and stay AWAKE....that George Hamilton's character was extremely "foppy", but that's what he was good at and he later played a fop in "Zorro The Gay Blade." We were able to insert some screamingly funny dialogue.
Now Jay Silverheels. I think he was of advanced age when he made this movie, but I don't know why they had to put "old" makeup on him that pretty much belonged in "The Mummy."
The Indian boy who was supposed to be Burt's couldn't act his way out of a paper bag and there was absolutely no chemistry between the two.
This movie was a big deal back then, but wouldn't even be a candidate for Hallmark Movie of the Week nowdays. There was scandal. I think Sarah Miles was found leaving the room of a producer or someone on the set in the desert and that person was found dead the next morning. They said it was suicide, but others said more sinister things. I believe he saw how bad this movie was turning out and offed himself! Customer Rating: Summary: DVD Release----Please Comment: There are very few Burt Reynolds films that I like. Often his films have been a mismatch of his acting, his humor and a poorly written screenplay, but this movie is one of the exceptions.
1.) The story and screenplay are very good, nothing new, but very good.
2.) The supporting cast is very, very good.
3.) Burt's acting is good.
This is one of those films that has stayed under the radar that would probably find a broader appeal if it was shown on cable TV.......and of course, released on DVD.
Burt Reynolds plays his role with a very serious slant, kind of like his role in Deliverance, only without any cheesy dialogue. He's serious and bad, but he's the good guy. The bad guys are very bad and more realistic than in most movies, past or present. The story is somewhat predictable to anyone over 30, but it's well worth watching if you like a good serious western without all the silliness.
Don't let the title or the picture on the VHS box dissuade you from watching this movie. It's an excellent film. Customer Rating: Summary: Please someone, make a dvd of this movie! Comment: I saw this movie in South Africa 30 years ago and loved it. Then I bought the book which is now old and tattered, and still a favorite. I had forgotten how the film ended, but read in a review that the ending was not the same as the book. What a pity. The book ending is perfect. It comes as a shock every time I read it.
I would love to buy this on DVD. The story, the acting, the scenery and the music were wonderful. One can still find it on videotape, but I prefer to wait, and hope, for the DVD, and perhaps buy the cd soundtrack. The music, by John Williams, was great. Customer Rating: Summary: ONE OF BURT REYNOLD'S BEST SCREEN PERFORMANCES, PERIOD. Comment: Reading westerns and watching western films has always been something of an enjoyment. In my humble estimation this film is as good as it gets.
Though an off-beat western with equal sadness and joy, the actors, scenery, and script are very hard to beat. As usual Lee J. Cobb is just a gem, and has one of the best lines ever. There is a gritty reality to this movie that few others ever attain, Yellow Sky, 100 Rifles, Shane, and especially The Walking Hills, and The Professionals all come to mind.
In this film though Reynolds is not only a very flawed man, but equally one in denial, the viewer is still on his side. And at film's end you just gotta believe Sarah Mile's injunction to live will carry through. Even Lee J Cobb is willing to walk away.
I have a couple copies of this film on VHS from TV movie channels, but nothing would be better than to have it on DVD. Keep the faith, I never thought Yellow Sky and several others would make DVD but they did. And even TV Cheyenne Vol. 1 did too. So hope lives on that this one will be issued on DVD, too.
Semper Fi. Customer Rating: Summary: Top 25 all-time favorites Comment: If you like a well-done Western, you'll enjoy this one. It has everything - train robberies, shoot outs, Outlaws, Indians, bad guys, heroes, strong women and strong men, romance and a touch of humor. It's too bad Burt Reynolds didn't choose more movies roles like this. He plays the part very well and Sara Miles is enchanting as the strong-willed Catherine. And what Western would be complete without Lee J. Cobb and Jack Warden? Look for an amazingly well done performance by (of all people) George Hamilton.
