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Meet the Wildcat
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Wikipedia article
'Meet the Wildcat' is an American 1940 mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay.Meet the Wildcat, 'Monthly Film Bulletin', London, Volume 7, Issue 73, January 1, 1940: 186.
Plot
One day in Mexico, magazine photographer Ann Larkin is in a museum when she happens to see a man steal a painting. Pursuing and accusing him, she believes the man, Brod Williams, to be a notorious art thief known only as "The Wildcat."
Brod brings the stolen painting to Leon Dumeray, a gallery owner. Dumeray recognizes it as stolen property and notifies the police, who place Brod under arrest. Ann comes to visit Brod in jail, but after complying with his request to bring him a pineapple from a local fruit stand, she is shocked to find a gun has been hidden inside it. Brod makes a daring escape, forcing Ann to switch clothing with him and fleeing the jail dressed as a woman.
Law authorities later congratulate Brod on his scheme. He is actually a police detective from New York City who is trying to smoke out Dumeray, who is the real Wildcat. He is offered a job by Dumeray, who now trusts Brod to be a dishonest man. Ann, however, doesn't know Dumeray is the thief and tips him off to Brod's true identity. Dumeray takes both as his prisoners, but Brod breaks free and calls for the police.
Cast
* Ralph Bellamy as Lt. Brad Williams
* Margaret Lindsay as Ann Larkin
* Joseph Schildkraut as Leon Dumeray
* Allen Jenkins as Max Schwydel
* Jerome Cowan as Digby Vanderhood III
* Rudolph Anders as Feral - Henchman
* Frank Puglia as Chief of Police
* Guy D'Ennery as Mordaunt - Henchman
* Hans Herbert as Marco - Henchman
* Juan de la Cruz as National Museum Director
* Reed Hadley as Basso - Henchman
* Gloria Hadley as Annabelle Lee
* Iris Adrian as Jail Cell Blonde
Production
Filming started August 1940.Screen News Here and in Hollywood, 'The New York Times', 1 August 1940: 25. Bellamy was cast shortly before filming began.Marshall Will Direct Roosevelt 'Pot o' Gold', 'Los Angeles Times', 2 August 1940: 13.
Reception
The 'New York Times' called it "an obvious picture" but one that was "deftly and amusingly played" and "breezes along at a smooth pace."The Screen: At the Rialto At the Teatro Latino, Bosley Crowther, 'The New York Times', 23 October 1940: 27
'Diabolique' magazine called it "a really fun mystery comedy with Margaret Lindsay in superb form as a photographer convinced Ralph Bellamy (miscast, trying to channel Cary Grant) is an art thief."
References
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