Cat City
1986 film directed by Béla Ternovszky
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cat City (Hungarian: Macskafogó; transl. Cat Catcher) is a 1986 adult animated science fiction comedy film, directed by Béla Ternovszky and written by József Nepp.[2] The title Cat City was used in the United States distribution.[3] The film was selected as the Hungarian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 59th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[4]
| Cat City | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Béla Ternovszky |
| Written by | József Nepp |
| Produced by | Román Kunz |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Magda Hap |
| Music by | |
| Distributed by | Mokép |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | Hungarian |
The film is a parody of several famous feature films, mainly the James Bond series. It tells the story of a special agent who is sent to the city of "Pokyo" to obtain the secret plans of a machine that could save mouse society. Of course, the cats not wanting this to happen, send four rat gangsters to stop this special agent, but they never end up proving as efficient as they initially seem.[5] The film has developed a cult following in the years since its release.[6][7] A musical based on the film premiered in December 2011.[8]
Plot
In year 80 AM (Anno Mickey Mouse), the mice of Planet X are threatened by humiliation and total apocalypse. The well-organized, fully equipped gangs of evil cats are aiming for the total obliteration of mice, not caring for the old conventions between mice and cats. But in the last moment, when the mouse leaders are beginning to consider leaving the planet, a new hope rises...[9]
Cast
| Character | Original | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Grabowski | László Sinkó | Rob Roy (Gary Gumshoe) |
| Mr. Fritz Teufel | Miklós Benedek | Dean Hagopian (Mr. D (Donald Diablo)) |
| Safranek | Péter Haumann | A.J. Henderson (Tweed) |
| Mr. Giovanni Gatto | János Körmendi | Vlasta Vrána |
| Buddy | András Kern | Pierre Lenoir (Burns) |
| Billy | Gyula Szombathy | Michael Rudder (Bones) |
| Pissy | Ilona Béres | Maria Bircher (Candy) |
| Cookie | Zsuzsa Pálos | Carla Napier |
| Lazy Dick | István Mikó | Richard M. Dumont (Billy Bugle) |
| Mr. Bob Poljakoff | Ferenc Kállai | Walter Massey (Professor) |
| Edlington | Károly Mécs | Unknown (Captain) |
| Chino San | Vera Pap | Carla Napier (Seno-San) |
| Professor Fushimishi | István Szatmári | Unknown |
| Nero von Schwartz | Gyula Buss | Rob Roy (Nero "Blackie" Schwarz) |
| Maxipocak | Gyula Bodrogi | Rob Roy (Pancho Muncho) |
| Pedro | Gyula Horváth | Arthur Grosser |
Additional Voices
- Marc Denis
- Kathleen Fee − Parrot
- Ian Finlay
- Mark Hellman
- Jack Langedijk
- Ron Lea
- Liz MacRae − Stewardess
- George Morris
- Dave Patrick
- Howard Ryshpan
Reception
Gabriella Székely of Filmvilág gave a mixed review, calling it a "stereotype Gangster film which ends with a happy ending."[10]
Home media
Deaf Crocodile Films announced a Blu-ray release of the film in 2023, the first time ever in the United States. The release is based on a restoration by National Film Institute Hungary.[11]
In other media
Sequel: Cat City 2: The Cat of Satan
Production of the sequel Cat City 2: The Cat of Satan (Hungarian: Macskafogó 2 – A sátán macskája) started in September 2005. It was made on a budget of about 600 million HUF.[13]
The story of Cat City 2 centers around an investigative journalist named Stanley Mouse, who wants to find out about the legend of an ancient "cat tribe" lost in Africa. He finds them and much more, once again threatening the continued existence of mouse civilization. Special Agent Grabowsky will act to save the day, however. The events are supposed to take place some 20 years after the first episode, as one of the already leaked cells shows the titular Cat-Catcher mecha rusting away in a shelter, and a grown-up child of some character appears in the plot.[14]
Premiering on December 20, 2007, by January 2008 it had made the Hungarian Box Office Top Ten for 6 consecutive weeks.[15] It was the most watched Hungarian film in 2008.[16]