7 Cats from Film: Our Feline Favourites
Cats. Nobody’s best friend because dogs. But despite the common assumption that cats are furry dictators who give zero f*cks about the humans that attach themselves to them, they occasionally pop up on the big screen and steal the whole damn show.
Here’s our pick of the feline favourites from film.
Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland
Who?
You could spot this pussy a mile off and not just because of his trademark look. He wears stripes better than a Frenchman and has the smuggest grin this side of Gwyneth Paltrow rolling around in a bag of kale. His wit and knowledge are second to none and he manages to pop up at the best of times to advise – or take the piss out of – his cartoon saviour, Alice.
Likes?
Taking the piss out of Alice and showing off.
Dislikes?
Anyone who upsets Alice before he has a chance to do it himself.
Cat, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Who?
This cat was a “poor slob without a name” when he was plucked from the streets of New York and given a home, but no name, with the city socialite, Holly Golightly. Holly seemingly refuses to commit to being Cat’s actual owner so the poor puss just mews about independently. Holly chucks him out a cab into the rain in a fit of stress but chases after him when she realises she’s been a dick.
Likes?
Strolling around Holly’s apartment and eating out of her fridge.
Dislikes?
Being chucked out a cab into the rain.
Bonus fact:
This feline was played by at least two cats, one of who; Orangey, won two actual awards. I mean, they were animal awards because apparently they’re a thing, but still.
The Aristocats
Who?
We straight up refuse to pick one cat from this film as the shining star because, basically, they’re all superb. From alley cat, Thomas O’Malley (full name: Abraham de Lacy Guiseppe Casey), to posh puss Duchess and her three kittens, Toulouze, Berlioz and Marie, to trumpet-playing Scat Cat. After Duchess and her kids get catnapped, they find themselves in the world of Thomas, Parisian alleys and jazz.
Likes?
They’re all up for a bit of jamming, with even posho Duchess having a crack at the harp.
Dislikes?
The evil Edgar who catnapped Duchess et al in the first place.
Don Vito Corleone’s Cat, The Godfather
Who?
Not all cats are cool enough to be owned by an actual mafia boss. Little is known, or seen, of this Don’s pet but it’s thought that he symbolises the hidden claws behind Corleone’s friendly facade.
Likes?
Being sat on laps and stroked.
Dislikes?
Erm, not being sat on laps and stroked?
Bonus fact:
The cat was never in the script but director, Francis Ford Coppola, found a stray on the Paramount lot and gave it to Marlon Brando to improvise with. The cat loved Brando so much that it sat on his lap during takes for the whole day and its happy purring caused Brando’s lines to become muffled. He had to loop the dialogue over later on.
Puss in Boots
Who?
Diablo Gato. The Furry Lover. Chupa Cabra. Frisky Two Times. The Gingerhead Man. But to most, Puss in Boots, outlaw. Basically, Zorro in feline form, who first helps world-famous ogre prince, Shrek before fighting murderous duo, Jack and Jill. Who knew?
Likes?
Boots.
Dislikes?
Furballs.
Lucifer, Cinderella
Who?
Proof that cartoon cats can be absolute bastards, this sneaky, evil predator pounces on the friendly mice who frankly deserve more than to be eaten by a conniving cat after a hard day of dressmaking. Treated like the pompous, greedy feline that he is by owner, Lady Tremaine, he literally hates everyone and everything, and considering he can’t even talk like mice can, Lucifer is the smuggest bastard that ever meowed.
Likes?
Being a total bastard.
Dislikes?
Everyone.
The Cat, Coraline
Who?
This no-name advisor to a girl who finds herself either seriously tripping or locked in a mirror world of her life where everyone has buttons for eyes and is secretly controlled by her evil mother, is moody and wise yet only speaks in Coraline’s trip/nightmare world. He has no name because apparently cats don’t need names to tell each other apart. Smug much?
Likes?
Being bloody sneaky.
Dislikes?
The Other Mother who is the absolute worst.