The Cat's Paw

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The Cat's Paw

Released Jul 30, 1934

1h 41m

Comedy

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4 Reviews

56%

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100+ Ratings

Ezekiel Cobb (Harold Lloyd) is a sheltered young man who had a missionary upbringing in Asia. When he goes back to America, he unwittingly becomes a dupe for crooked politicians who recruit him, intending him to be a losing candidate in a fixed election. However, when he unexpectedly becomes mayor, he embarks on a program to root out corruption. The politicians try to intimidate him into submission, but he recruits the local Chinese community to lend a hand.

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

Very slow stock-comedy stuff for the first forty minutes...

Apr 21, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Harold Lloyd performs with a sedateness which may baffle some of his old admirers. But the story is lively. A family picture.

Jul 23, 2019

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Charles Davy

The Spectator

The story is nearly always exciting, and it leads to an exceptionally ingenious climax.

Oct 4, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Though one of Lloyd's weaker comedies, it's still striking as a curio.

Rated: B-

May 1, 2014

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StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 41 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

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Audience Member

Fun creative movie, not the usual Harold Lloyd slapstick but still very entertaining.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

Very different in style to Lloyd's previous movies, it fares pretty well overall despite its rather odd and unbelievable final act.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

another good Harold Lloyd comedy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Really unique movie by Lloyd in which he tries his hand at a dialogue-based comedy rather than his old stunts and gags model. Also, he plays a missionary's son who cultural background is more Chinese than American. He really does a good job, but talkie comedies were a competitive field by this time, and Lloyd's fame continued to fade. Highlights include a pre-code dancers in a nightclub and Lloyd's uh, extreme solution to the city's gang problem.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Racist, sure, but taken within its context, it's a lot of fun. Taylor's direction is very lively and engaging, and Lloyd does very well in a sound film. It's less zany than his silents, but perhaps more amusing, what with the satirical shift in material (and I likes me good satire). George Barbier is awesome, as well. A terrific little gem that deserves to be remembered.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Sam Taylor

Director

Harold Lloyd

Ezekiel Cobb

Una Merkel

Pat Pratt

George Barbier

Jake Mayo

Nat Pendleton

Strozzi

Grace Bradley

Dolores Doce

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Synopsis

Ezekiel Cobb (Harold Lloyd) is a sheltered young man who had a missionary upbringing in Asia. When he goes back to America, he unwittingly becomes a dupe for crooked politicians who recruit him, intending him to be a losing candidate in a fixed election. However, when he unexpectedly becomes mayor, he embarks on a program to root out corruption. The politicians try to intimidate him into submission, but he recruits the local Chinese community to lend a hand.

Director: Sam Taylor
Producer: Harold Lloyd
Production Co: The Harold Lloyd Corporation
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 1934, Original
Runtime: 1h 41m