First off major SPOILER warning as I completely (almost) spoil the film.Boy (Kent Smith as Oliver) meets girl (Simone Simon as Irena). Except boy is one of the few men between 20 and 60 who is not in the military, and the girl has bizarre fantasies about being one of the "cat people" - people descended from a group of witches and warlocks in Europe that escaped the sword of King John when he came to cleanse their village of wickedness.Oliver and Irena eventually admit their love, and Oliver proposes marriage. Irena has doubts because of her feelings that there is evil in her, that she is one of the "cat people". Oliver poo poos such nonsense and basically says"Forget that cat people nonsense babe and marry me anyways, it will make no difference." But it does. Irena doesn't want to consummate the marriage. Oliver says no problem he'll wait. Irena goes to see a psychiatrist, Oliver says no problem he'll wait. Irena wrestles with her cat people identity problem until a few months later she tells Oliver she has decided to put the past behind her and be a real wife to him. Not so fast Oliver says. He now loves Alice, a girl at work and he wants a divorce.So Irena, a troubled soul to begin with, has a husband who thinks "Until death do you part" is just a saying people kick around at weddings and has completely overestimated his patience, while Alice, a woman who has said she was Irena's friend has been that shoulder Oliver can cry on at work until she steals his heart. Also, the psychiatrist has ulterior motives too as Tom Conway rips a page from his brother George Sanders' playbook.Last line of the film - Oliver saying "She never lied to us". Yep, but ALL of you - the doctor, Oliver, Alice - essentially lied to HER. I'd like to turn into a big cat and eat the three of them if I were in Irena's circumstances.Don't think I don't love this film - I do. It uses atmosphere and what you don't see where the 82 version just used cheesy sex scenes and lots of gore.

Another watch for this fabulous, Jacques Turner directed black and white gem. I thought watching b&w blu rays might be a waste but not a bit of it. I have never seen this shine and sparkle so well and those dark shadows so effectively sweeping across the screen. I remember seeing this as a boy and being disappointed that Simone Simon didn't change back and forth throughout but now can appreciate the true subtlety of her performance. Strange that I should have re-watched Gilda last night and sat spellbound as Rita Hayworth seemingly treads her own path, bewitching and beguiling men at will with her physical presence and charisma and here the poor Serbian girl afraid to even take a step in that direction. Very impressive and helped enormously by being able to see this is such a fine print. Perfect.

Yes, it is atmospheric, and the famous moments (the chase, the swimming pool) really are that good. I've just watched it again and find my memory had distorted some details: I pictured Anne in the pool in an unflattering cap, and the hotel receptionist with a twangy Brooklyn accent - which she doesn't have, she just calls everybody "Honey" or "Dearie". She is good in her small role, as is the waitress (a black character with a character, even if she does have to make a "characteristic" remark about nobody liking gumbo).What struck me this time around: there are subtle clues. Irena's fur coat, the way she stalks Oliver and Anne, fading behind conveniently placed potted palms (jungle). The shadow of a chair behind her head giving her "ears". The cleaning lady who is first seen crawling on all fours through the revolving door, animal-like until she raises her head and is revealed as an ordinary woman who collects matchbooks.Another point: until well into the story, the spectral panther could have been the real panther from the zoo, released by Irena (who has stolen the key to his cage). But then you realise that this is misdirection: the panther could not have walked unnoticed into the hotel! And it could not have broken into Anne and Oliver's office - or could it? Did it come through that revolving door? But surely if it had got loose we would have heard about it.The script by the wonderfully named De Witt Bodeen deserves a mention - especially the scene where Anne confesses to Oliver that she is in love with him.The music adds a lot, too. The lullaby Irena sings, that the characters later play on the gramophone. The Irish song the zookeeper is always singing, that Irena picks up.Oh, and the Other Catwoman is sitting in the background at the restaurant when Oliver goes there on his own.If you liked this, you will like The Seventh Victim, which features Dr Judd, mysteriously resurrected.

While at the Central Park Zoo, mysterious Serbian fashionista Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon) catches the eye of Oliver Reed. She tells them of the legend of King John who freed the people from the Mameluks. John found some had been corrupted to worship Satan. He killed them all except for the ones who escaped into the mountains. Later, Irena and Oliver get married but her belief comes between them. She believes that an ancient family curse turns her into a panther when she gets aroused. Oliver sends her to psychiatrist Dr. Louis Judd.This movie burns a little too slowly. The acting is pretty stiff. The movie uses shadows and sounds to do most of the horror. There are some very effective scenes. The swimming pool is the highlight of the movie. The movie has a great idea of sexual animalism but it's an idea that really can't be filmed at that time. It's about the denial of the sexual instincts. This movie probably pushed the boundaries a little bit. It's a movie of its time.