Cat People: A Comparison of the 1942 and 1982 Film Versions

Cat People is a horror film about a woman who turns into a panther when aroused. The film was first made in 1942 by producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur, and then remade in 1982 by director and writer Paul Schrader. The two versions of Cat People have many differences and similarities, in terms of the characters, actors, directors, producers, composers, songs, themes, genres, and techniques. This article will compare and contrast the two movies and argue that they are both faithful and unfaithful to the original vision of Lewton and Tourneur, and that they reflect their historical contexts and the evolution of horror and sexuality in cinema.

How the Two Cat People Movies Reflect Their Historical Contexts

The 1942 and 1982 versions of Cat People were made in different historical and cultural backgrounds, which influenced their production and reception. The 1942 version was made during World War II, when Hollywood was subject to strict censorship codes that limited the depiction of violence, sex, and other controversial topics. The movie had a low budget of $134,000 and was intended to be a B-movie that could boost the morale of the American public. However, the movie became a surprise hit that earned $4 million and received positive reviews from critics who praised its subtle and suggestive style. The movie also incorporated some elements of war propaganda, such as the portrayal of the heroine Irena as a Serbian refugee who escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe, and the use of shadowy lighting and sound effects to create a sense of fear and suspense.

The 1982 version was made during the Cold War era, when Hollywood was more liberal and experimental in its representation of violence, sex, and other taboo subjects. The movie had a high budget of $18 million and was intended to be an artistic and erotic remake that could appeal to the modern audience. However, the movie was a commercial flop that earned only $7 million and received mixed reviews from critics who criticized its excessive and explicit style. The movie also reflected some issues of its time, such as the rise of feminism, the sexual revolution, the AIDS epidemic, etc. For example, the heroine Irena was portrayed as a more independent and assertive woman who challenged the patriarchal authority of her brother Paul, the movie featured more nudity and eroticism than the original version, and the movie implied that Irena's curse was a metaphor for a sexually transmitted disease that could kill her lovers.

The World War II Era: Fear and Repression in the 1942 Version

The 1942 version of Cat People was made during World War II, when America was involved in a global conflict that threatened its security and democracy. The movie reflected some aspects of this historical context, such as the fear of foreign invasion, the repression of sexual expression, and the promotion of patriotic values.

The movie depicted Irena as a foreigner who came from Serbia, a country that was occupied by Nazi Germany at the time. Irena's origin was a source of mystery and suspicion for her husband Oliver and his friend Alice, who doubted her sanity and loyalty. Irena's curse was also linked to her ethnic background, as she claimed that she inherited it from her ancestors who were members of a devil-worshipping cult called the Mameluks. Irena's curse could be seen as a metaphor for the perceived threat of fascism or communism that could infiltrate America through immigrants or spies.

The movie also portrayed Irena as a sexually repressed woman who feared intimacy with her husband. Irena believed that if she kissed or embraced Oliver, she would turn into a panther and kill him. This belief stemmed from her childhood trauma of witnessing her father being mauled by a panther on her wedding day. Irena's sexual repression could be seen as a reflection of the conservative morality that prevailed in America during World War II, when sex was considered sinful or dangerous outside marriage or procreation. The movie also adhered to the censorship codes that forbade the depiction of explicit or suggestive sexual content, such as nudity, adultery, homosexuality, etc.

The movie also showed Irena as a patriotic woman who supported the American war effort. Irena worked as a fashion designer who created uniforms for the army and navy. Irena also expressed her gratitude and admiration for America, saying that it was "a beautiful country" and that she was "very happy" there. Irena's patriotism could be seen as a way of assimilating into the American culture and proving her loyalty to her adopted country. The movie also complied with the war propaganda that encouraged the public to support the military and the government in their fight against the Axis powers.

The Cold War Era: Liberation and Transgression in the 1982 Version

The 1982 version of Cat People was made during the Cold War era, when America was engaged in a ideological and political rivalry with the Soviet Union that threatened its supremacy and stability. The movie reflected some aspects of this historical context, such as the liberation of sexual expression, the transgression of social norms, and the critique of patriotic values.

The movie depicted Irena as a native of New Orleans, who came from a family of were-panthers that originated in ancient Africa. Irena's origin was a source of curiosity and attraction for her lover Oliver and his colleague Alice, who admired her beauty and exoticism. Irena's curse was also linked to her genetic background, as she explained that she inherited it from her ancestors who were worshippers of a goddess called Anubis. Irena's curse could be seen as a metaphor for the perceived threat of nuclear war or environmental disaster that could destroy America through technology or nature.

The movie also portrayed Irena as a sexually liberated woman who embraced intimacy with her lover. Irena discovered that she could only have sex with her brother Paul, who was also a were-panther, without turning into a panther and killing him. However, she rejected Paul's incestuous advances and chose to have sex with Oliver, who was a human. Irena accepted her sexual desire and pleasure, even if it meant risking her life or killing her partner. Irena's sexual liberation could be seen as a reflection of the progressive morality that emerged in America during the Cold War era, when sex was considered natural or enjoyable within or outside marriage or procreation. The movie also defied the censorship codes that restricted the depiction of explicit or provocative sexual content, such as nudity, adultery, homosexuality, etc.

The movie also showed Irena as a rebellious woman who opposed the American war effort. Irena worked as a zookeeper who cared for animals and protested against their captivity and exploitation. Irena also expressed her disdain and resentment for America, saying that it was "a rotten country" and that she was "very unhappy" there. Irena's rebellion could be seen as a way of resisting the American culture and challenging its authority over her life. The movie also criticized the war propaganda that urged the public to support the military and the government in their fight against the Soviet Union.

The Evolution of Horror and Sexuality in the Cat People Films

The 1942 and 1982 versions of Cat People also differed in their horror and sexuality elements, which evolved from the classic to the modern horror genre. The 1942 version used more suspense than violence, relying on Lewton's famous technique of "suggesting rather than showing". The movie never showed Irena's transformation into a panther or her attacks on her victims, but instead used shadows, sounds, camera angles, editing, etc. to imply them. The movie also used more symbolism than eroticism, implying Irena's sexual repression through metaphors such as her fear of water, her fascination with a caged panther at the zoo, her jealousy of Alice's perfume, etc. The movie followed or subverted some horror tropes of its time, such as the cat-and-mouse game between Irena and Alice, the final girl trope with Alice surviving Irena's attacks, and the monstrous feminine trope with Irena being both victimized and villainized by her curse.

The 1982 version used more violence than suspense, relying on Schrader's preference for "showing rather than suggesting". The movie showed Irena's transformation into a panther and her attacks on her victims in graphic detail, using special effects, makeup, gore, etc. to depict them. The movie also used more eroticism than symbolism, showing Irena's sexual awakening through scenes such as her nude walk in the desert, her incestuous relationship with Paul, her passionate affair with Oliver, etc. The movie followed or subverted some horror tropes of its time, such as the slasher genre with Irena killing several people in gruesome ways,

The movie also followed or subverted some horror tropes of its time, such as the slasher genre with Irena killing several people in gruesome ways, the final girl trope with Alice being killed by Irena instead of surviving, and the monstrous feminine trope with Irena being both empowered and endangered by her curse.

The Influence of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur on the Cat People Legacy

The 1982 version of Cat People was influenced by the artistic visions and styles of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur, the producer and director of the 1942 version. Schrader paid homage to Lewton and Tourneur's legacy in his remake, but also deviated from it and added his own personal touch to it. Schrader referenced or reinterpreted some of Lewton and Tourneur's scenes, symbols, metaphors, cinematography, etc. in his movie. For example, Schrader recreated the famous pool scene where Irena stalks Alice in the dark, but added more tension and violence to it. Schrader also used the caged panther at the zoo as a symbol for Irena's inner beast, but gave it more significance and screen time than in the original movie. Schrader also used water as a metaphor for Irena's sexuality, but made it more positive and liberating than in the original movie.

Lewton and Tourneur's Vision: Suggestion and Symbolism in the 1942 Version

The 1942 version of Cat People was based on the vision of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur, who were known for their innovative and influential approach to horror filmmaking. Lewton and Tourneur focused on suggestion and symbolism rather than spectacle and shock, creating a sense of dread and mystery through what was not shown or said. Lewton and Tourneur used various techniques to achieve this effect, such as lighting, sound, editing, camera angles, etc.

One of the most famous examples of Lewton and Tourneur's technique is the pool scene, where Irena stalks Alice in a dark swimming pool. The scene does not show Irena or her panther form, but only suggests her presence through the sound of her growling, the ripples on the water surface, and the shadows on the wall. The scene also uses Alice's perfume as a symbol for her sexuality, which attracts Irena's jealousy and rage. The scene creates a high level of suspense and terror without showing any violence or gore.

Another example of Lewton and Tourneur's technique is the use of the caged panther at the zoo as a symbol for Irena's inner beast. The panther appears several times in the movie, usually when Irena is feeling conflicted or threatened by her curse. The panther represents Irena's repressed sexuality and aggression, which she fears to unleash on her husband or others. The panther also serves as a contrast to Irena's outward appearance of elegance and grace, which hides her dark and dangerous nature.

A third example of Lewton and Tourneur's technique is the use of water as a metaphor for Irena's sexuality. Water appears in various forms in the movie, such as rain, fountains, pools, etc., usually when Irena is confronted with her sexual dilemma. Water represents Irena's fear of sex, which she associates with death and violence. Water also represents Irena's desire for sex, which she suppresses or denies. Water also serves as a barrier between Irena and Oliver, who cannot consummate their marriage because of Irena's curse.

Schrader's Vision: Showing and Subverting in the 1982 Version

The 1982 version of Cat People was based on the vision of Paul Schrader, who was known for his controversial and provocative approach to filmmaking. Schrader paid tribute to Lewton and Tourneur's legacy in his remake, but also challenged it and added his own twist to it. Schrader showed or subverted some of Lewton and Tourneur's scenes, symbols, metaphors, cinematography, etc. in his movie. For example, Schrader recreated the pool scene where Irena stalks Alice in a dark swimming pool, but added more violence and gore to it. Schrader also used the caged panther at the zoo as a symbol for Irena's inner beast,

Schrader's Vision: Showing and Subverting in the 1982 Version

One of the most striking examples of Schrader's technique is the pool scene, where Irena stalks Alice in a dark swimming pool. The scene is a homage to Lewton and Tourneur's scene, but also a subversion of it. Schrader showed Irena's transformation into a panther and her attack on Alice in graphic detail, using special effects, makeup, gore, etc. to depict them. The scene also used Alice's blood as a symbol for her sexuality, which provoked Irena's jealousy and rage. The scene created a high level of violence and shock without leaving much to the imagination.

Another example of Schrader's technique is the use of the caged panther at the zoo as a symbol for Irena's inner beast. The panther appears several times in the movie, usually when Irena is feeling conflicted or threatened by her curse. The panther represents Irena's sexual desire and aggression, which she embraces or rejects depending on her mood. The panther also serves as a connection to Irena's brother Paul, who is also a were-panther and who frees the panther from the zoo in an act of rebellion.

A third example of Schrader's technique is the use of water as a metaphor for Irena's sexuality. Water appears in various forms in the movie, such as rain, fountains, pools, etc., usually when Irena is experiencing her sexual awakening. Water represents Irena's pleasure and freedom, which she enjoys or explores with her lover or herself. Water also serves as a bridge between Irena and Oliver, who can consummate their relationship only after Irena overcomes her fear of water.

Conclusion

The 1942 and 1982 versions of Cat People are both faithful and unfaithful to the original vision of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur. They are faithful in their plot and premise, but unfaithful in their characters, actors, directors, producers, composers, songs, themes, genres, and techniques. They reflect their historical contexts and the evolution of horror and sexuality in cinema. They are both artistic and cultural achievements that deserve recognition and appreciation.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions that can be useful and add value for the reader:

Which version of Cat People is better? This is a subjective question that depends on personal taste and preference. Some people may prefer the 1942 version for its subtlety and sophistication, while others may prefer the 1982 version for its explicitness and experimentation. Both versions have their strengths and weaknesses, and both are worth watching.
Are the two versions of Cat People based on a true story? No, they are not based on a true story. They are based on a short story by DeWitt Bodeen called "The Bagheeta" that was published in 1930. The story was about a woman who believed she was descended from a race of people who could turn into panthers when sexually aroused. The story was inspired by a legend from India about a tribe of were-panthers called the Bagheeta.
Are there any other adaptations or sequels of Cat People? Yes, there are. In 1944, Lewton and Tourneur made a sequel to the 1942 version called The Curse of the Cat People. The sequel was about the daughter of Oliver and Alice who befriended the ghost of Irena. In 1957, Hammer Films made a remake of the 1942 version called Cat Girl. The remake was about a woman who inherited a curse from her uncle that made her turn into a cat when angry. In 1979, Roger Corman produced a remake of the 1942 version called The Cat People. The remake was about a woman who was possessed by an ancient Egyptian cat goddess. In 1983, Schrader made a prequel to the 1982 version called Cat People: Origins. The prequel was about the origin of Irena and Paul's curse in ancient Africa.