The Cat from Outer Space facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Cat from Outer Space |
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Original poster
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| Directed by | Norman Tokar |
| Produced by | Ron Miller |
| Written by | Ted Key |
| Starring | Ken Berry Sandy Duncan Harry Morgan Ronnie Schell Roddy McDowall McLean Stevenson |
| Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
| Cinematography | Charles F. Wheeler |
| Editing by | Cotton Warburton |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | June 30, 1978 (New York) |
| Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3.5 to 4 million |
The Cat from Outer Space is a fun science fiction comedy film made by Walt Disney Productions in 1978. It's all about a super smart cat from another planet who crash-lands on Earth. The movie stars Ken Berry, Sandy Duncan, Harry Morgan, Ronnie Schell, Roddy McDowall, and McLean Stevenson. It was filmed in California, including at Disney's own Golden Oak Ranch.
Contents
The Amazing Plot
A UFO Lands on Earth
The story begins when a UFO (that's a "flying saucer") has to make an emergency landing on Earth. The U.S. government quickly takes it away to study it. Inside the spaceship, they find a very unusual passenger: an alien who looks just like a cat! His name is Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7, but everyone calls him Jake.
Jake Needs Help
Jake's home planet can't send a rescue team to pick him up before their Mother Ship leaves our solar system. So, Jake decides he has to fix his own spaceship. He has a special collar that gives him amazing powers, like moving things with his mind (that's telekinetic power) and talking to people with his thoughts (that's telepathic power). He uses these powers to follow the military to a place called the Energy Research Laboratory (E.R.L.). The military hopes to learn how the UFO's power source works there.
Meeting Frank Wilson
One of the scientists at the E.R.L., Frank Wilson, has a theory about the UFO's power. Everyone else makes fun of his idea, but Jake knows Frank is actually right! Jake follows Frank back to his office. There, Frank gives the alien cat the nickname "Jake." Another scientist, Liz Bartlet, comes into Frank's office. She's a bit annoyed at first, but Frank introduces her to Jake and invites her to dinner.
Jake's Secret Revealed
After Liz leaves, Jake shows Frank his true self. He demonstrates his powers and offers to share his advanced knowledge about energy. In return, he needs Frank's help to fix his ship. That evening, Jake and Frank plan to sneak into the military base where Jake's ship is kept. But first, they have to avoid Liz, who arrives for their dinner date with her own cat, Lucybelle! Jake pretends to be sick, which lets Frank and Jake go to the base.
Finding the Right Element
At the military base, Frank uses a special backup collar to fly to the top of Jake's ship. He attaches a device to figure out what's wrong. Jake learns that he needs a special element called "Org 12." When Jake tells Frank its atomic weight, Frank realizes that "Org 12" is actually gold!
A Plan for Gold
Back at Frank's apartment, Frank tells Jake they need about $120,000 worth of gold to fix the ship. Frank's friend, Norman Link, comes over to watch horse races and football games. Norman has placed bets on these games. Jake uses his powers to help Norman's horse win the race! This gives Jake and Frank an idea: they convince Norman to bet all his winnings again and again (this is called a parlay) to win enough money for the gold.
A Close Call
However, Jake gets knocked out by a kind veterinarian that Liz brought over. She thought Jake was still sick! Frank has to tell Liz the whole story. The group then rushes to a pool hall where Norman placed his final bets. They learn that the last game in the parlay was lost, so they didn't win the money. Desperate, they agree to play a game of pool against a professional player named Sarasota Slim. Frank tries to use Jake's collar, but it doesn't work at first. Luckily, Jake wakes up just in time! He uses his powers to help them win the final pool game, getting the money they need for the gold.
Trouble and Rescue
But there's more trouble! A spy named Stallwood, who works for a bad guy named Olympus, has been watching them. The military is also looking for them. Frank and Jake manage to escape from both the military and the criminals. However, Olympus and his men capture Norman, Liz, and Lucybelle. They plan to trade them for Jake's special collar. This forces Jake to make a tough choice: he sends his ship back to the Mother Ship, but he stays on Earth to help rescue his friends!
Jake and Frank use an old biplane to save Liz and Lucybelle from Olympus's helicopter. The helicopter crashes, but Olympus, Stallwood, and their men survive and are likely arrested. In the end, Jake is allowed to stay on Earth. He becomes a representative from his planet and even gets to become a citizen of the United States!
Meet the Cast
- Ken Berry as Franklin "Frank" Wilson
- Sandy Duncan as Elizabeth "Liz" Bartlett
- Harry Morgan as Gen. Stilton
- Ronnie Schell as Sgt. Duffy/Voice of Jake
- Roddy McDowall as Mr. Stallwood
- McLean Stevenson as Norman Link
- Jesse White as Earnest Ernie (the Gambling Dealer)
- Alan Young as Dr. Winger (veterinarian)
- Hans Conried as Chief Dr. Heffel
- James Hampton as Capt. Anderson
- Howard Platt as Col. Woodruff
- William Prince as Charlie Olympus
- Ralph Manza as Weasel
- Tom Pedi as Honest Harry
- Hank Jones as Officer
- Rick Hurst as Dydee Guard
- Sorrell Booke as Judge
- Fred Whalen as Sarasota Slim (Pool Hustler)
- John Alderson as Mr. Smith
- Tiger Joe Marsh as Omar
- Alfred Soboloff as NASA Executive
- Mel Carter as 1st Soldier
- Dallas McKennon as Charlie Cooney
- Alice Backes as Farmer's Wife
- Henry Slate as Sandwich Man
- Roger Pancake as Red
- Roger Price as 1st E.R.L. Report
- Jerry Fujikawa as 2nd E.R.L. Report
- Jim Begg as Dydee Driver
- Peter Renaday as Baliff
- Rickie Sorensen as Technician
- Tom Jackman as Army Engineer
- Joseph G. Medalis as Sucker
- Gil Stratton as 1st NASA Scientist
- Jana Milo as 2nd NASA Scientist
- Rumpler and Amber (brother and sister Abyssinian cats) as Jake / Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7
