Disney is at it again, providing a cavalcade of laughs for the whole family.

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

That Darn Cat (1965) was director Robert Stevenson's attempt to bring the girlish Haley Mills into womanly – if comedic – contemporary grace. She plays Patricia Randall, the impetuous wannabe sleuth and owner of D.C. (short for Darn Cat); a cross-eyed Siamese, sporting a wrist watch instead of a collar around its neck. Turns out the watch belongs to a bank teller who was taken hostage during a daring robbery. Enter FBI agent Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones), a congenial and squeaky clean cutie by 60s standards to whom Pat is immediately drawn. She's too nice to tell him how much she likes him. He's too polite to tell her to buzz off – especially after Pat takes it upon herself to enter the investigation as an active participant.This is one of those dated Disney comedies that, despite erring on the side of conservative caution and hopelessly virginal good humor, nevertheless hooks its audience with a flair for clean fun and corny vignettes. On this occasion, one of the running gags happens to be that poor Zeke has an allergy of kitties. This presents a problem during the film's pivotal showdown, since he can't seem to get his fits of sneezing under control. The impressive supporting cast includes Frank Gorshin (best remembered as the Riddler on Batman, but here put to good use as Iggy – the bank robber), Elsa Lanchester (as meddling, Kip MacDougall), Roddy McDowall (stuffy Gregory Benson), and Ed Wynn (as Mr. Hoffstedder – a zany watch jeweler). Remade in 1997 to nauseatingly dismal effect, this precocious diversion from the Disney stables in the one to beat, and, with a theme song warbled by no less a singer than Bobby Darin – what's not to love? The DVD transfer from Disney, for one thing. It's full frame! A very clean picture element, minus scratches and with a color palette that simply glows, is what you'll find on this occasion. Rich, solid blacks, very bright whites and natural looking flesh tones are the order of the day. Also, fine details are very nicely realized and film grain is kept to a bare minimum. The audio, though dated, is natural sounding for audio recordings of this vintage. Bobby Darin's song fares the best, with a sonic spread that will leave you toe-tapping for vintage 60s kitsch.

Saw this about '74 or so, it was great. Loved the garage door gags, the cats, Elsa and William, the two gals are fine, Hayley Mills especially. Dean Jones had to have been in about 100 Disney things back then, this was def. one of his better roles. You also have to like what they did w/ the baddies, Neville Brand and The Riddler. They work well together and do a fine job w. the mix of comedy and real malice towards their captive. The cat was a funny part, i remember them trying to 'paw print' him and them winding up plastering poor Dean Jones head to foot w/ the cat's inky paw prints.Say what you will, Disney doesn't make things like this anymore and that is our loss.*** outta **** it's fun.