That Darn Cat! (1965)

That Darn Cat! is the kind of breezy Disney caper that turns a suburban neighborhood into a playground of mystery, mischief, and perfectly timed slapstick—powered, improbably and irresistibly, by a Siamese cat with movie-star charisma. The premise is deliciously simple: one strange clue on a pet becomes a full-blown FBI operation, and the fun comes from watching earnest adults try (and repeatedly fail) to outsmart an animal who treats surveillance like a sport. Hayley Mills brings her trademark sparkle and pluck, while Dean Jones adds a straight-faced charm that makes the escalating chaos even funnier, all wrapped in a cozy mid-’60s vibe that feels like comfort food. There is a kidnapping at the center, so the stakes aren’t nonexistent, but the tone stays light and family-friendly—best enjoyed if you’re in the mood for wholesome suspense, gentle comedy, and a cat who steals every scene without saying a word.

That Darn Cat! is aiming for a breezy, kid-friendly caper where a clever Siamese cat accidentally becomes the FBI’s best lead, and it mostly plays like a sitcom stretched to feature length. The problem is the “crime” part is pretty thin, so if you’re hoping for a satisfying mystery or smart detective work, you’ll likely find it lightweight and overly reliant on repetitive gag sequences. The pacing can feel formulaic, and the suspense never really bites because the movie keeps winking at you instead of building real momentum. Still, if you want clean, old-school Disney charm, a game cast, and a lot of animal-driven slapstick, it’s a harmless time capsule—just don’t expect it to be sharper than its premise.