Val Lewton's Queer-Coded Film Noir Masterpiece - CAT PEOPLE (1942)

Val Lewton's Queer-Coded Film Noir Masterpiece - CAT PEOPLE (1942)

Author: Patrick K. Walsh February 27, 2025 Duration: 1:37:32

"You can fool everybody, but landy deary me, you can't fool a cat!"

Irena, a lonely young Serbian immigrant, believes she is descended from a tribe of shape-shifting witches and fears that any physical intimacy will change her into a killer jungle cat. Irena can run. Irena can hide. But she cannot deny the Beast Inside.

CAT PEOPLE somehow managed to tell a clearly queer-coded tale of forbidden desires and unspeakable passions at the height of Hayes Code Production censorship, and we are thrilled that it did, because this film is a delight to watch.

My special guest this episode are TARA GARNER and KASEY LOMAN.

CAT PEOPLE was produced by VAL LEWTON, directed by JACQUES TOURNEUR, written by DEWITT BODEEN and stars SIMONE SIMON, KENT SMITH, JANE RANDOLPH and TOM CONWAY.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Dive into the archives with ScreamQueenz Classics, curated by Patrick K. Walsh. This podcast serves as the central hub for a fascinating collection of shows, all exploring horror through a distinctly queer lens. Think of it as your weekly appointment with the strange and the spooky from decades past. You'll find yourself immersed in retrospectives like DAMN YOU UNCLE LEWIS, which meticulously unpacks the cult TV series *Friday the 13th: The Series*. Another show in the rotation, IT CAME FROM THE 70s, resurrects the unique charm and terror of made-for-television horror movies from the disco decade. For long-time fans and newcomers alike, SCREAMQUEENZ RESURRECTION offers a treasure trove of vintage conversations from the network's first groundbreaking decade. This ever-growing library, known as the ScreamQueenz Podiverse, is proudly noted as the first of its kind. New installments from these various series drop every Friday, rotating to keep the content fresh. With plans to expand the roster with more shows in 2026, this podcast is a living, breathing archive for anyone passionate about the intersections of television, film history, and queer perspectives on classic horror. It's less about simple reviews and more about deep, affectionate excavation.
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