OVERLOOKED FELINE HORROR: THE CAT CREATURE (1973)

This made-for-television horror flick was a tribute to two horror films of Val Lewton:  Cat People (1942) and The Curse of the Cat People (1944); it even featured actor Kent Smith, who had starred in the Lewton movies.

You can easily tell this movie was made for television by checking out the stars:  Meredith Baxter (Bridget Loves Bernie, Family, Family Ties), David Hedison (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Five Fingers, Another World), and Gale Sondergaard (whose late career took her to mainly roles in television, including The Best of Everything.  Supporting players included John Carradine (one of the greatest character actors of all time, with 352 IMBd acting credits), Keye Luke (he was Lee Chan -- Charlie's son, Sidekicks, Battle of the Planets, Kung Fu), Stuart Whitman (Cimarron Strip, Superboy, Knott's Landing) Renne Jarrett (Nancy), Kent Smith (in addition to the films mentioned above he had regular roles in Peyton Place and The Invaders).  Also feature were Milton Parsons, John Abbott, Virgil Frye, William Sims, and "Peter Lorre, Jr." (no relation; he was actually Eugene Weingand, who adopted the name without permission and had attempted to have it changed legally but was legally barred from using the name without the genuine Lorre's permission; sadly, the real Lorre died a few months after and Weingand continued to use the name and even claimed to be Lorre's actual son).

The script was written by Robert Bloch, who had a few problems with it.  Originally, the film was meant to be a vehicle for Diahann Carroll, but by the time the script was approved she was no longer available, so Bloch had to rewrite the script.  He was then told that the scripts running time was twelve minute too long and Bloch had to work hard to cut the script tom its running time.  Then, in viewing the rushes, it was discovered that the script was twelve minute too short, and Bloch had figure out how to restore the twelve minutes after the sets had been taken apart to make the film's scheduled air time.

The film was directed by Curtis Harrington (Queen of Blood, Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?, Devil Dog:  The Hound of Hell; Harrington also was known as one of the forerunners to New Queer Cinema).  The movie aired on the ABC Movie of the Week on December 11, 1973.

Appraiser Frank Lucas (Kent Smith) takes an inventory of the estate of a deceased client.   He discovers a sarcophagus with a mummy wearing a gold amulet.  While Lucas was out of the room, the amulet stolen by Jo Sung (Keye Luke), unleashing a thousand years old curse.  Lucas returns to the room and is killed by a black feline the "howls like a jackal."  Sung tries to pawn the amulet at the Sorcerer's Shop, which deals with occult objects, by the owner, Hester Black (Gale Sondergaard) tosses him out.  Lt. Marco (Stuart Whitman) investigates Lucas's murder, with the assistance Roger Edmonds, a professor of archaeology.  A chain of murderous events follows, and a salesgirl named Rena Carter (Meredith Baxter) becomes involved.  At the center of this supernatural mystery is a black cat with glowing green eyes. 

The film has been called an "okay attempt to recreate a Val Lewton 40s mood," and the cast are "on hand to remind you of the B-movie roots."

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU5LKvJiA7M