That Darn Cat!
A young woman suspects foul play when her cat comes home wearing a wristwatch. Convincing the FBI, though, and catching the bad guys is tougher than she imagined.
The film earned $28.1M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
That Darn Cat! (1965) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Robert Stevenson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Patti Randall
Zeke Kelso
Ingrid Randall
Gregory Benson
Supervisor Newton
Dan
Iggy
Main Cast & Characters
Patti Randall
Played by Hayley Mills
A spirited young woman who enlists the FBI when she suspects her Siamese cat has stumbled onto a kidnapping case.
Zeke Kelso
Played by Dean Jones
An earnest but inexperienced FBI agent assigned to follow the cat and investigate the kidnapping.
Ingrid Randall
Played by Dorothy Provine
Patti's practical and somewhat exasperated sister who tries to keep the household in order.
Gregory Benson
Played by Roddy McDowall
Ingrid's jealous and demanding fiancé who dislikes the chaos caused by the cat investigation.
Supervisor Newton
Played by Richard Eastham
The FBI supervisor overseeing the kidnapping investigation with skepticism about the cat lead.
Dan
Played by Frank Gorshin
A criminal involved in the kidnapping plot who inadvertently leaves clues for the cat to find.
Iggy
Played by Neville Brand
Dan's partner in crime, another bumbling criminal caught up in the kidnapping scheme.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image: DC (Darn Cat) prowls the suburban neighborhood at night. Establishes Patti Randall's carefree life, more interested in her adventurous Siamese cat than romance or responsibility.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when DC returns home wearing a wristwatch with "HELP" scratched on the back. Patti realizes this could be a clue to the kidnapped bank teller and the cat might know where she is.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Kelso commits FBI resources to surveilling DC. Patti actively chooses to help track the cat despite the chaos it will bring to her life. The surveillance operation officially begins., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: DC leads them to an apartment building where they believe the kidnappers are hiding. Seems like a breakthrough, but they have the wrong apartment. Stakes raise as the robbers become aware someone is looking., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, DC disappears. The robbers plan to kill the hostage and flee. The FBI operation appears to have failed. Patti realizes her irresponsibility may have cost Margaret Miller her life. Whiff of death: the hostage is in mortal danger., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. DC returns home. Patti now understands how to properly work with the FBI and take the situation seriously. She combines her knowledge of the cat with Kelso's professional approach. They prepare for final operation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
That Darn Cat!'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping That Darn Cat! against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Stevenson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish That Darn Cat! within the family genre.
Robert Stevenson's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Robert Stevenson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. That Darn Cat! represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Stevenson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Ella Enchanted. For more Robert Stevenson analyses, see Herbie Rides Again, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Mary Poppins.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image: DC (Darn Cat) prowls the suburban neighborhood at night. Establishes Patti Randall's carefree life, more interested in her adventurous Siamese cat than romance or responsibility.
Theme
Patti's sister Ingrid comments about taking things seriously and growing up. Theme: Learning to see beyond yourself and take responsibility when it matters.
Worldbuilding
Establish Patti and Ingrid's home life, their contrasting personalities. DC's nightly adventures. The FBI is searching for kidnapped bank teller Margaret Miller. Bank robbers Dan and Iggy are holding her hostage.
Disruption
DC returns home wearing a wristwatch with "HELP" scratched on the back. Patti realizes this could be a clue to the kidnapped bank teller and the cat might know where she is.
Resistance
Patti debates what to do. She contacts the FBI. Agent Zeke Kelso arrives skeptical but intrigued. Patti must convince him the cat lead is legitimate. Kelso reluctantly agrees to follow the cat, despite mockery from colleagues.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kelso commits FBI resources to surveilling DC. Patti actively chooses to help track the cat despite the chaos it will bring to her life. The surveillance operation officially begins.
Mirror World
Patti and Kelso's relationship deepens as they work together. Kelso represents the serious, responsible world Patti needs to engage with. Their partnership carries the thematic growth.
Premise
The fun of the premise: following an unpredictable cat on surveillance. Comic mishaps as FBI agents try to tail DC through the neighborhood. Nosy neighbors get suspicious. Patti learns to work with authorities while DC leads them on wild goose chases.
Midpoint
False victory: DC leads them to an apartment building where they believe the kidnappers are hiding. Seems like a breakthrough, but they have the wrong apartment. Stakes raise as the robbers become aware someone is looking.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies. The criminals realize the cat is a threat and try to eliminate DC. FBI surveillance becomes more complicated. Neighborhood chaos escalates. Patti's frivolous approach to the cat causes setbacks.
Collapse
DC disappears. The robbers plan to kill the hostage and flee. The FBI operation appears to have failed. Patti realizes her irresponsibility may have cost Margaret Miller her life. Whiff of death: the hostage is in mortal danger.
Crisis
Dark moment where Patti processes her failure. She must reconcile her carefree attitude with the serious consequences. Kelso encourages her that they haven't given up.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
DC returns home. Patti now understands how to properly work with the FBI and take the situation seriously. She combines her knowledge of the cat with Kelso's professional approach. They prepare for final operation.
Synthesis
The finale: FBI follows DC to the correct location. Raid on the apartment. Confrontation with the criminals. Margaret Miller is rescued. Patti's growth and responsibility combined with Kelso's methods lead to success.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors opening: DC prowls at night, but now Patti watches with mature appreciation rather than frivolous amusement. She and Kelso are together, suggesting she's embraced responsibility and meaningful relationships.