Cat & Mouse (1958)
A lean British crime thriller in which a GI deserter traps an innocent woman in a deadly web of murder, blackmail, and hidden treasure.
Cat & Mouse - Movie Information
- Original Title: Cat & Mouse
- Release Year: 1958
- Directed by: Paul Rotha
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 19m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 1, 1958 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Cat and Mouse (UK), The Desperate Men (US), Besuch bei Mr. Scruby (DE)
- Production Companies: Anvil Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Cat & Mouse - Plot
A GI deserter frames a girl for killing a blackmailer, and holds her captive while seeking gems.
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Cat & Mouse - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Rotha
Main Cast
- Lee Patterson
- Ann Sears
- Hilton Edwards
- Victor Maddern
- Stuart Saunders
- Diana Fawcett
- George Rose
- Roddy McMillan
- Geoffrey Russell
- Robert MacKenzie
Writers
- Paul Rotha
Producers
- Paul Rotha
Cat & Mouse - FAQs
What is Cat & Mouse (1958) about?
Cat & Mouse follows a GI deserter who frames an innocent young woman for the murder of a blackmailer, then holds her captive as he desperately searches for hidden gems. It's a taut British crime thriller built around deception, coercion, and survival in postwar England.
Is Cat & Mouse based on a true story?
Cat & Mouse is not based on a true story. It's a fictional crime thriller adapted for the screen by director Paul Rotha. The story draws on classic noir conventions — a wrongly accused woman, a ruthless fugitive, and a race against time — rather than any real-life events.
Where can you watch Cat & Mouse (1958)?
You can find viewing options for Cat & Mouse on JustWatch, which tracks streaming, rental, and purchase availability across platforms in your region. As a vintage British film, availability may vary, so checking JustWatch is the best way to find current options near you.
Who directed Cat & Mouse (1958)?
Paul Rotha directed Cat & Mouse. Rotha was primarily celebrated as a pioneering British documentary filmmaker, making this crime thriller a notable departure into narrative fiction. He also wrote the screenplay and produced the film, giving it a distinctly personal, unified vision throughout.
Who stars in Cat & Mouse (1958)?
The film stars Lee Patterson as the dangerous GI deserter Rod Fenner and Ann Sears as the wrongly accused Ann Coltby. The supporting cast includes Hilton Edwards as the menacing Mr. Scruby, Victor Maddern as Superintendent Harding, and George Rose in a memorable smaller role.
Why does Rod Fenner frame Ann in Cat & Mouse?
Rod Fenner frames Ann to deflect suspicion from himself after a blackmailer is killed. By implicating her in the crime, he buys time to locate hidden gems without police scrutiny falling on him. Ann becomes both his alibi and his hostage, trapped in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
What are the alternative titles for Cat & Mouse (1958)?
The film was released under several titles depending on the territory. In the UK it was also known as Cat and Mouse, while American audiences knew it as The Desperate Men. The German release carried the title Besuch bei Mr. Scruby, reflecting the film's broad international distribution reach.
What films are similar to Cat & Mouse (1958)?
If you enjoy Cat & Mouse, you might also like Plunder Road (1957), a lean noir heist film from the same era, or Framed (1947), another tightly wound crime thriller built on betrayal. More recent picks include The Unforgivable (2021) and A Crooked Somebody (2018) for similar themes of guilt and entrapment.
More About Cat & Mouse
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