The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Grobart kills the rapist-murderer in a fit of rage and grief after discovering Cat Dancing's body. This act of vengeance sets the entire story in motion, as he is arrested for the murder and becomes an outlaw again. Catherine later admires him for this, seeing it as evidence of his capacity for loyalty and love.

• grobart
• cat dancing
• revenge
• murder
• arrest

Catherine falls in love with Grobart because he protects her from Dawes and Billy when they abduct her, showing a moral compass despite his criminal past. She is also drawn to his willingness to avenge the woman he loved, which she sees as a sign of his deep capacity for devotion.

• catherine
• grobart
• love
• romance
• protection

Grobart strangled Cat Dancing because he believed she had chosen to sleep with the man who raped her. In a fit of jealous rage, he killed her before learning the truth, that she was also a victim of the same man who murdered her. This hidden guilt haunts him throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at Grobart's troubled past when Catherine admires him for avenging Cat Dancing, not knowing the full truth.

• grobart
• cat dancing
• strangle
• death
• guilt

Grobart's children, a young daughter and son named Dream Speaker, live in the Shoshone village with Cat Dancing's brother Iron Knife. By the time Grobart returns, they have integrated into the tribe and choose to remain there rather than leave with him.

• grobart children
• dream speaker
• iron knife
• shoshone village
• family

Dawes becomes violent and ruthless after beating Billy, causing internal injuries that will kill him. When Indians attack the cabin, Dawes escapes with part of the stolen money. Later, he finds Grobart and Catherine, rapes Catherine, and tries to kill Grobart to take the remaining money.

• dawes
• betrayal
• rape
• money
• violence

Catherine kills Crocker because he shoots Grobart from the tree line as they prepare to leave. When Grobart is wounded, Catherine grabs his pistol and shoots Crocker dead as he charges toward them. It is an act of protection and love to save the man she cares about.

• catherine
• crocker
• shooting
• kill
• protection

Grobart leaves Catherine and the railroad money at the village because he does not want to place her in further danger. Knowing the law and Crocker are closing in, he decides it is safer for her to stay with his children rather than continue on the run with him.

• grobart
• catherine
• village
• leaving
• danger

Crocker accompanies Lapchance's posse to the Shoshone village. That evening, Catherine and Dream Speaker leave to find Grobart, with the boy guiding her to his cave hideout. Crocker follows them and discovers their location, leading to the final confrontation.

Foreshadowing: Dream Speaker's knowledge of the hills allows Catherine to locate Grobart, but this same path enables Crocker to track them.

• crocker
• cave
• posse
• dream speaker
• tracking

Lapchance, the railroad detective, has already retrieved the stolen money and watches Crocker kill Grobart. When Catherine kills Crocker in self-defense, Lapchance sees no reason to pursue Grobart further. He leaves Crocker's body for the pack horse and departs with the money, allowing the wounded Grobart to remain with Catherine.

• lapchance
• crocker
• money
• forgiveness
• law

Grobart leaves the group at the old cabin for a day, allowing Dawes to brutally beat Billy and cause fatal internal injuries. When Grobart returns, the cabin has been attacked by Indians, and Billy and Charlie are dead, showing the consequences of his absence.

• grobart
• billy
• cabin
• leaving
• indians