Year: 1965
Runtime: 116 min
Language: English
Director: Robert Stevenson
A mischievous cat named D.C. returns home with a mysterious watch, unexpectedly plunging Patti Randall into a thrilling adventure. As Patti investigates the watch's significance, she finds herself partnering with FBI Agent Zeke Kelso to search for a kidnapped maid. Their pursuit is filled with humor and unexpected twists, leading them on a wild chase to uncover the truth behind the feline's involvement.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of That Darn Cat! (1965), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
“Darn Cat,” also known affectionately as “DC,” introduces us to a clever and adventurous Siamese tomcat who calls the suburbs home, accompanied by his two young owners, sisters Ingrid “Inky” and Patricia “Patti” Randall. Every evening, DC embarks on his escapades through town, delighting in mischief—teasing local dogs, snatching food, and leaving his mark on parked vehicles with his muddy paws, all while exploring the vibrant streets.
However, one fateful night, DC’s curiosity leads him to follow a bank robber named Iggy into an unsuspecting apartment, where Iggy and his partner Dan have taken bank employee Margaret Miller hostage. In a clever twist, Miss Miller seizes the moment to swap her watch for DC’s collar, inscribing most of the word “HELP” on it. Unbeknownst to DC, this seemingly innocuous act is crucial to unraveling the dangerous situation.
When DC returns home, Patti quickly discovers the watch and begins to suspect that it belongs to the kidnapped woman. Driven by a strong sense of duty, she approaches the FBI and relays her findings to Agent Zeke Kelso. To this end, Supervisor Newton assigns Kelso the task of tracking DC, hoping that this wily feline holds the key to locating the robbers’ hideout.
As the investigation unfolds, Kelso sets up a makeshift headquarters at the Randall household, coordinating a team to monitor DC’s movements. In a series of hilarious escapades, DC skillfully outsmarts the agents—each attempt at surveillance leading to comedic scenarios and embarrassing encounters. One particularly memorable chase sees DC darting through backyards and a drive-in theater, all while amusingly evading the diligent Agent Kelso. During this chaotic pursuit, he attracts the ire of Gregory Benson, an irritable carpool member of Ingrid’s, who, after his confrontation with DC, storms off in frustration.
The narrative takes a turn when the following day, a frustrated Supervisor Newton halts the operation, dismissing the watch as a mere trinket. Determined to prove the significance of her findings, Patti devises a clever ruse, donning the disguise of a hippie niece and persuading the FBI that the watch is crucial evidence. With new motivation, Newton and Kelso prepare for a final stakeout, trailing DC through various neighborhoods. This ultimately leads them back to the hideout of the bank robbers.
In a tense climax, Kelso bursts into the apartment just in time to thwart Dan and Iggy’s plans, rescuing Margaret Miller. This heroic moment is followed closely by Patti, who enters to assist Kelso, ensuring his safety in the nick of time. The robbers quickly find themselves apprehended, and the hostage situation comes to a thrilling conclusion, with Miss Miller safely freed.
As the story winds down, we find Patti mending her romantic relationship with her occasionally jealous boyfriend, Canoe, who had been feeling the strain of the investigation’s secrecy. Meanwhile, Agent Kelso, now enamored with Ingrid, joins her carpool, signaling a budding romance blossoming between them. In a delightfully heartwarming finale, DC embarks on a new chapter of his adventurous life, having met a charming gray cat with whom he hopes to start a family, culminating in a joyful and hopeful turn of events for our beloved feline hero.
Last Updated: January 19, 2025 at 18:49
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Whimsical stories where clever pets or animals accidentally solve mysteries.Discover movies like That Darn Cat! featuring clever animals who find themselves at the center of a lighthearted mystery or crime. If you enjoyed the charming mix of a pet-led caper with a steady, humorous investigation, you'll find similar family-friendly stories here.
Stories in this thread typically begin with an animal stumbling upon a clue or causing a benign disruption that pulls an ordinary person into a low-stakes adventure. The plot unfolds as a playful puzzle, where the animal's natural behavior consistently outsmarts the human characters, leading to a cheerful and satisfying resolution.
These movies are grouped by their cheerful, animal-centric premise and a consistent LIGHT tone. They share a MEDIUM intensity from the investigative plot, balanced by high humor and a STEADY, STRAIGHTFORWARD pace that makes them accessible and fun for all ages.
Cheerful mysteries where everyday people team up for a fun investigation.Find movies similar to That Darn Cat! that feature a fun amateur detective teaming up with a professional for a humorous investigation. If you liked the playful partnership and the STEADY, LIGHT-hearted chase in That Darn Cat!, you'll enjoy these cheerful mystery comedies.
The narrative follows an ordinary person who discovers a puzzle they can't ignore, leading them to partner with a more experienced but initially skeptical counterpart. The journey is defined by comical missteps, growing camaraderie, and a series of humorous chases or misunderstandings, all building to a HAPPY resolution where the crime is solved and friendships are strengthened.
This thread groups movies by their core dynamic of a cheerful amateur-professional partnership tackling a crime with humor. They share a LIGHT emotional weight, a STEADY pace that focuses on character interaction, and a consistently optimistic atmosphere where the thrill is in the fun of the chase, not the danger.
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Discover movies like That Darn Cat! that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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