A stolen amulet awakens a feline curse with claws—and a taste for murder.
THE CAT CREATURE
When a rich man dies, some items from a collection of his are stolen- an ancient Egyptian gold amulet and the mummy that was wearing it. The police consult scholars from the local University to help with the investigation, which is taking a more serious turn as people connected with the case are killed by wounds that seem to be from a housecat.
Quick Answer
The Cat Creature is a 1973 American crime-horror-mystery film directed by Curtis Harrington about the theft of an ancient Egyptian amulet that unleashes a deadly curse in the form of a murderous black feline.
Programmer's Pick
Curtis Harrington serves up a purrfectly peculiar blend of Egyptology and occult horror, complete with a killer kitty and an amulet that’s more trouble than it’s worth. If your idea of a crime scene involves ancient curses and claw marks, this cult item delivers a sly scratch.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This made-for-TV horror film stands out as a tribute to the Val Lewton horror films of the 1940s and features Kent Smith, star of the original Cat People films, while also reflecting Robert Bloch's production challenges and script rewrites during its development for ABC Movie of the Week.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
An ancient amulet stolen from a mummy triggers a supernatural cat goddess’s deadly wrath.
Victims are clawed to death by a mysterious black cat that howls like a jackal, blending creature feature chills with occult overtones.
Police investigators team with university experts and occult shopkeepers, giving the mystery a unique academic and supernatural twist.
This early-'70s telefilm brings together genre stalwarts and a moody, atmospheric style that’s pure psychotronic comfort.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Theft of the cat-headed amulet from the mummy
Supernatural black feline under a cat goddess’s curse
Victims clawed to death; supernatural murders
Estate, occult shop, university, city locales
Questions from the Vault
When was The Cat Creature released? +
The Cat Creature was released in 1973.
Who directed The Cat Creature? +
The Cat Creature was directed by Curtis Harrington.
How long is The Cat Creature? +
The Cat Creature has a runtime of 72 minutes.
What genre is The Cat Creature? +
The Cat Creature is a crime, horror, and mystery film.
How is the ancient curse unleashed in The Cat Creature? +
The curse is set in motion when a thief steals a cat-headed amulet from a mummy, awakening the vengeful power of a cat goddess.
