The Cat from Outer Space (1978): A Sci-Fi Comedy Classic

The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is a film that you may have never heard of, but you should definitely watch. This film is a sci-fi comedy that tells the story of a cat-like alien who needs the help of a physicist and his friends to fix his spaceship and escape from the U.S. government and a villainous spy. In this blog post, we will explore the history, the plot, and the impact of this film on the genre and the culture.

The History of The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The Cat from Outer Space (1978) was produced by Walt Disney Productions, and directed by Norman Tokar, who had previously directed several other Disney films, such as The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) and The Shaggy D.A. (1976). The film was written by Ted Key, who was also the creator of the comic strip Hazel and the co-creator of the TV series Mr. Peabody and Sherman. The film was inspired by Key's own cat, who he claimed had psychic powers and could communicate with him telepathically.

The film had a budget of $5 million, and was filmed mostly in California, with some scenes shot in Oregon and Arizona. The film used a combination of live-action and special effects to create the illusion of a cat from outer space. The cat was played by four different Abyssinian cats, named Amber, Rumple, Tigger, and Jake, who were trained by animal handler Frank Inn. The special effects were done by Art Cruickshank, who used a combination of wires, magnets, and optical effects to make the cat perform various feats, such as levitating objects, opening doors, and flying a plane.

The film also featured a stellar cast of actors and actresses, who played the human characters in the film. The main role of Dr. Frank Wilson, the physicist who befriends the cat, was played by Ken Berry, who was best known for his roles in the TV shows F Troop and Mayberry R.F.D. The role of Liz Bartlett, the reporter and love interest of Frank, was played by Sandy Duncan, who was a Broadway star and a TV personality. The role of General Stilton, the head of the military who pursues the cat, was played by Harry Morgan, who was famous for his role as Colonel Potter in the TV show M*A*S*H. The role of Norman Link, the friend and colleague of Frank, was played by Ronnie Schell, who was a comedian and a voice actor. The role of Dr. Carlisle, the scientist and spy who tries to steal the cat's collar, was played by Roddy McDowall, who was an acclaimed actor and a film historian. The role of Dr. Link's boss, Mr. Stallwood, was played by McLean Stevenson, who was also a co-star of Morgan in M*A*S*H.

The film was released on June 9, 1978, and received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the film for its humor, charm, and family-friendly appeal, while others criticized the film for its lack of originality, coherence, and logic. The film was a moderate success at the box office, grossing $18 million in the U.S. and Canada, and ranking as the 26th highest-grossing film of 1978. The film also spawned a novelization, a comic book adaptation, and a video game.

The Plot of The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The plot of The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is a mixture of science fiction and comedy, with some elements of adventure and romance. The film begins with a mysterious object crashing into a farm in the countryside. The object turns out to be a spaceship, and the pilot turns out to be a cat-like alien, who wears a special collar that allows him to communicate telepathically, manipulate objects, and control his spaceship. The cat, who calls himself Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7, or Jake for short, contacts his home planet and learns that he has to wait for a rescue mission, which will take several weeks. In the meantime, he has to hide from the U.S. military, who have detected his spaceship and want to capture it for research.

Jake decides to seek help from a human, and chooses Dr. Frank Wilson, a physicist who works at a nearby research facility. Frank is a kind and friendly man, who loves cats and has a knack for inventing gadgets. Jake follows Frank to his home, and reveals his true identity and his predicament. Frank is amazed and curious, and agrees to help Jake. He also introduces Jake to his friends, Norman Link, a fellow physicist and a gambler, and Liz Bartlett, a reporter and a love interest. Jake impresses them with his powers and his intelligence, and they become his allies.

However, Jake also attracts the attention of some enemies, who want to exploit his collar and his spaceship. One of them is Dr. Carlisle, a scientist who works at the same facility as Frank and Norman, and who is secretly a spy for a foreign power. He notices Jake's collar and suspects that it is a valuable device. He tries to steal it from Jake, but fails. He also tries to sabotage Frank and Norman's experiments, and to frame them for espionage. Another enemy is General Stilton, the head of the military operation that is hunting for Jake's spaceship. He is a stern and suspicious man, who believes that Jake is a threat to national security. He orders his troops to find and capture Jake and his spaceship, by any means necessary.

Jake, Frank, Norman, and Liz have to overcome many obstacles and dangers, as they try to protect Jake's collar and spaceship, and to evade Carlisle and Stilton. They also have to find a way to repair Jake's spaceship, which was damaged by the crash. They discover that Jake's spaceship needs a rare and expensive element, called "Org 12", to power its engine. They decide to use Jake's powers to win money from gambling, and to buy Org 12 from the black market. They also use Frank's inventions, such as a remote-controlled plane and a laser gun, to help them in their mission.

The film reaches its climax when Carlisle and Stilton join forces, and launch a raid on Frank's house, where Jake and his spaceship are hidden. They manage to capture Jake and his collar, and to take them to a secret base. Frank, Norman, and Liz follow them, and try to rescue Jake. They succeed in infiltrating the base, and in freeing Jake. They also manage to retrieve Jake's collar, and to destroy Carlisle and Stilton's equipment. They then escape from the base, and head to the farm, where Jake's spaceship is waiting for them. Jake thanks them for their help, and bids them farewell. He then boards his spaceship, and takes off. He also sends them a message, saying that he will always remember them, and that he hopes to see them again. The film ends with Frank and Liz kissing, and Norman smiling.

The Cast of The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The cast of The Cat from Outer Space (1978) was composed of talented and experienced actors and actresses, who brought the characters to life with their performances. The film also featured some guest stars and cameo appearances, who added some extra fun and charm to the film. Here are some of the main cast members and their roles in the film.

Ken Berry as Dr. Frank Wilson: Ken Berry was a versatile actor, who could do comedy, drama, and musicals. He was best known for his roles in the TV shows F Troop, Mayberry R.F.D., and Mama's Family. He played Dr. Frank Wilson, the physicist who befriends Jake and helps him fix his spaceship. He was also the love interest of Liz Bartlett, the reporter. He showed his comedic skills and his chemistry with the cat and the other actors in the film.
Sandy Duncan as Liz Bartlett: Sandy Duncan was a Broadway star and a TV personality, who had a bright and bubbly persona. She was famous for her roles in the musicals Peter Pan and The Boy Friend, and the TV shows The Sandy Duncan Show and Roots. She played Liz Bartlett, the reporter who covers the story of Jake and his spaceship. She was also the love interest of Frank Wilson, the physicist. She showed her charm and her wit in the film.
Harry Morgan as General Stilton: Harry Morgan was a veteran actor, who had a long and distinguished career in film and TV. He was famous for his roles in the films High Noon, The Ox-Bow Incident, and Inherit the Wind, and the TV shows Dragnet, M*A*S*H, and AfterMASH. He played General Stilton, the head of the military operation that is hunting for Jake and his spaceship. He was the main antagonist of the film, who believed that Jake was a threat to national security. He showed his authority and his sternness in the film.
Ronnie Schell as Norman Link: Ronnie Schell was a comedian and a voice actor, who had a knack for making people laugh. He was best known for his roles in the TV shows Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Good Morning, World, and The New Scooby-Doo Movies. He played Norman Link, the friend and colleague of Frank Wilson, who also helps Jake. He was a gambler and a prankster, who often got into trouble. He showed his humor and his friendship in the film.
Roddy McDowall as Dr. Carlisle: Roddy McDowall was an acclaimed actor and a film historian, who had a rich and diverse career in film and TV. He was famous for his roles in the films How Green Was My Valley, Lassie Come Home, Cleopatra, and Planet of the Apes, and the TV shows Batman, The Twilight Zone, and Wonder Woman. He played Dr. Carlisle, the scientist who works at the same facility as Frank and Norman, and who is secretly a spy for a foreign power. He was the secondary antagonist of the film, who tried to steal Jake's collar and his spaceship. He showed his cunning and his villainy in the film.
McLean Stevenson as Mr. Stallwood: McLean Stevenson was a comedian and an actor, who had a witty and sarcastic style. He was best known for his roles in the TV shows M*A*S*H, The Doris Day Show, and Hello, Larry. He played Mr. Stallwood, the boss of Norman Link, who was often annoyed by his antics. He showed his frustration and his sarcasm in the film.

The film also featured some guest stars and cameo appearances, such as William Prince as the President of the United States, Hans Conried as the voice of Jake, Alan Young as the voice of the narrator, James Hampton as a farmer, Jesse White as a pool hustler, and Sorrell Booke as a judge. They added some extra fun and charm to the film.

The Impact of The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The impact of The Cat from Outer Space (1978) was significant and lasting, as the film influenced the genre of sci-fi comedy, and inspired other films and filmmakers. The film also reflected the culture and the society of the late 1970s, and resonated with the audiences of different generations. Here are some of the ways that the film made an impact on the film industry and the culture.

The film influenced the genre of sci-fi comedy: The film was one of the pioneers of the genre of sci-fi comedy, which combines science fiction and comedy in a creative and entertaining way. The film used the premise of a cat from outer space to create a humorous and adventurous story, that also explored some themes and issues related to science, technology, and society. The film also used a mix of live-action and special effects to create a realistic and believable world, where a cat-like alien could interact with humans and perform various feats. The film set a standard and a template for other films that followed the same genre, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Ghostbusters (1984), Back to the Future (1985), Men in Black (1997), and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
The film inspired other films and filmmakers: The film was also a source of inspiration and admiration for other films and filmmakers, who were influenced by its style, its humor, and its characters. Some of the films that were inspired by The Cat from Outer Space (1978) include The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986), which featured a cat and a dog as the main characters, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), which featured a cat and two dogs as the main characters, and Cats & Dogs (2001), which featured a war between cats and dogs. Some of the filmmakers who were inspired by The Cat from Outer Space (1978) include Steven Spielberg, who was a fan of the film and who used some of its elements in his film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), and James Gunn, who was also a fan of the film and who used some of its elements in his film Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
The film reflected the culture and the society of the late 1970s: The film was also a reflection and a commentary on the culture and the society of the late 1970s, when the film was made and released. The film captured some of the trends and the issues of the time, such as the popularity of sci-fi and fantasy films, the advancement of science and technology, the Cold War and the espionage, the gambling and the sports, and the environmentalism and the animal rights. The film also appealed to the audiences of the time, who were looking for a fun and escapist entertainment, that also had some messages and values.

The film also resonated with the audiences of different generations, who enjoyed the film for its humor, its charm, and its family-friendly appeal. The film also had a nostalgic and a cult value, as it reminded the viewers of their childhood and their fond memories. The film also had a timeless and a universal value, as it touched the viewers with its themes and its emotions.

The Trivia of The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The trivia of The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is a collection of interesting facts and anecdotes about the film, that reveal some of the behind-the-scenes secrets, the references and homages, and the awards and nominations of the film. Here are some of the trivia of the film that you might not know.

The origin of the title: The title of the film was originally supposed to be The Cat from Outer Space, but the producers decided to add the year 1978 to the title, to avoid confusion with another film that was released in the same year, called The Cat and the Canary, which was a horror comedy film. The producers also thought that adding the year would make the title more catchy and memorable.
The special effects: The film used a combination of wires, magnets, and optical effects to create the illusion of a cat from outer space. The wires were used to make the cat levitate objects, such as a pen, a spoon, and a pool cue. The magnets were used to make the cat open doors, such as the door of Frank's car and the door of the pool hall. The optical effects were used to make the cat fly a plane, such as the plane that Frank and Norman used to escape from the military base.
The soundtrack: The film had a catchy and upbeat soundtrack, that was composed by Lalo Schifrin, who was a famous composer and conductor, who had worked on many films and TV shows, such as Mission: Impossible, Dirty Harry, and Enter the Dragon. The soundtrack also featured a song called "You're the Only One Who Knows", which was sung by Sandy Duncan, who played Liz Bartlett in the film. The song was written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who were legendary songwriters, who had worked on many Disney films, such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and The Aristocats.
The awards and nominations: The film was nominated for two Saturn Awards, which are awards that are given by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, to honor the best films and TV shows in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The film was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Special Effects, but lost to Superman and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, respectively.
The references and homages: The film had many references and homages to other films and TV shows, that were either related to the genre of sci-fi comedy, or that were popular at the time. Some of the references and homages include:
- The name of the cat, Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7, or Jake, was a homage to the name of the robot, R2-D2, or Artoo, from the Star Wars franchise, which was a sci-fi film that was released in 1977, and that was a huge success.
- The scene where Jake uses his collar to control the remote-controlled plane, and to fly it over the military base, was a reference to the scene where Luke Skywalker uses the Force to control his X-wing fighter, and to fly it over the Death Star, in the film Star Wars.
- The scene where Frank and Norman use Jake's collar to win money from gambling, and to buy Org 12 from the black market, was a homage to the scene where Doc Brown and Marty McFly use a sports almanac to win money from gambling, and to buy plutonium from the black market, in the film Back to the Future Part II, which was a sci-fi comedy film that was released in 1989, and that was a sequel to the film Back to the Future, which was released in 1985.
- The scene where Jake communicates with his home planet, and learns that he has to wait for a rescue mission, was a reference to the scene where E.T. communicates with his home planet, and learns that he has to wait for a rescue ship, in the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which was a sci-fi film that was released in 1982, and that was directed by Steven Spielberg, who was a fan of The Cat from Outer Space (1978).

The trivia of The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is a fascinating and fun way to learn more about the film, and to appreciate its creativity and its quality. The film is a sci-fi comedy classic, that has many secrets and surprises, that make it more enjoyable and memorable.

The Conclusion

The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is a film that deserves more recognition and appreciation, as it is a sci-fi comedy classic that has many qualities and values. The film features a cat from outer space who needs the help of a physicist and his friends to fix his spaceship and escape from the U.S. government and a villainous spy. The film has a humorous and adventurous plot, a talented and experienced cast, a catchy and upbeat soundtrack, and a combination of live-action and special effects. The film also influenced the genre of sci-fi comedy, inspired other films and filmmakers, reflected the culture and the society of the late 1970s, and resonated with the audiences of different generations. The film also has a lot of trivia and secrets, that make it more fascinating and fun to watch.

If you are looking for a fun and escapist entertainment, that also has some messages and values, you should definitely watch The Cat from Outer Space (1978). You will enjoy the film for its humor, its charm, and its family-friendly appeal. You will also learn more about the film, and appreciate its creativity and its quality. The film is a sci-fi comedy classic, that has a lot of secrets and surprises, that make it more enjoyable and memorable.

The FAQ

Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about The Cat from Outer Space (1978), and their answers.

Q: Where can I watch The Cat from Outer Space (1978) online for free?
A: The Cat from Outer Space (1978) is available to watch online for free on some streaming platforms, such as Disney+, Tubi, and Pluto TV. You can also rent or buy the film on some digital platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and iTunes.
Q: Who are the actors and actresses in The Cat from Outer Space (1978)?
A: The actors and actresses in The Cat from Outer Space (1978) are Ken Berry as Dr. Frank Wilson, Sandy Duncan as Liz Bartlett, Harry Morgan as General Stilton, Ronnie Schell as Norman Link, Roddy McDowall as Dr. Carlisle, and McLean Stevenson as Mr. Stallwood. The film also features some guest stars and cameo appearances, such as William Prince as the President of the United States, Hans Conried as the voice of Jake, Alan Young as the voice of the narrator, James Hampton as a farmer, Jesse White as a pool hustler, and Sorrell Booke as a judge.
Q: What are the best scenes from The Cat from Outer Space (1978)?
A: The Cat from Outer Space (1978) has many scenes that are funny, exciting, and memorable. Some of the best scenes from the film are:
- The scene where Jake reveals his true identity and his predicament to Frank, and impresses him with his powers and his intelligence.
- The scene where Jake uses his collar to control the remote-controlled plane, and to fly it over the military base, while Frank and Norman watch in awe.
- The scene where Jake, Frank, Norman, and Liz use Jake's powers to win money from gambling, and to buy Org 12 from the black market.
- The scene where Jake, Frank, Norman, and Liz infiltrate the secret base, and rescue Jake from Carlisle and Stilton.
- The scene where Jake bids farewell to Frank, Norman, and Liz, and takes off in his spaceship.
Q: How did The Cat from Outer Space (1978) influence sci-fi comedy movies?
A: The Cat from Outer Space (1978) was one of the pioneers of the genre of sci-fi comedy, which combines science fiction and comedy in a creative and entertaining way. The film used the premise of a cat from outer space to create a humorous and adventurous story, that also explored some themes and issues related to science, technology, and society. The film also used a mix of live-action and special effects to create a realistic and believable world, where a cat-like alien could interact with humans and perform various feats. The film set a standard and a template for other films that followed the same genre, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Ghostbusters (1984), Back to the Future (1985), Men in Black (1997), and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).