The Catman of Paris

The writer Charles Regnier has authored a new book about a human-killing "cat man" who might or might not be a myth. Charles confides in friend Henry Borchard over dinner in Paris that he has made enemies among citizens and even in the government as a result of his controversial work.

A librarian, Devereaux, is found murdered, clawed to death. Devereaux had been in possession of documents that supposedly could destroy Charles's reputation. When his former sweetheart Marguerite Duval is killed in a similar manner, Charles is beaten by townspeople and suspected by police.

Marie Audet, who loves Charles and believes in him, is given a gun by Henry to protect herself. But when she saves herself at night by shooting an intruder, it turns out to be Henry, who with his dying words confesses to the crimes.

• Carl Esmond as Charles Regnier
• Lenore Aubert as Marie Audet
• Adele Mara as Marguerite Duval
• Douglass Dumbrille as Henry Borchard
• Gerald Mohr as Inspector Severen
• Fritz Feld as Prefect of Police
• Francis Pierlot as Paul Audet
• Georges Renavent as Guillard
• Francis McDonald as Devereaux
• Maurice Cass as Paul de Roche
• Alphonse Martell as Maurice Cocaignac
• Paul Marion as Jules
• John Dehner as Georges
• Anthony Caruso as Raoul
• Carl Neubert as Phillippe
• Elaine Lange as Blanche de Clermont
• Tanis Chandler as Yvette
• George Davis as Concierge

The Catman of Paris was produced in conjunction with Valley of the Zombies, with the intention of releasing both films under a double-billing. This marked Republic's first attempt at what they called "double horror production".[1]

Hal Erickson from New York Times gave the film a negative review, calling the film "stylish but pedestrian".[2] Allmovie also gave the film a negative review, complimenting the film's action sequences but criticized the film's sluggish plot, lack of atmosphere and suspense; writing "This anemic period potboiler from Poverty Row studio Republic Pictures cribs most of its sluggish plot from the far superior Werewolf of London, but has none of that film's drive, atmosphere, or suspense".[3] Brett Gallman from Oh, the Horror! gave the film a more positive review, writing, "The Catman of Paris is derivative but fine, possessing a really intriguing central concept that’s done little justice on a Poverty Row budget".[4] Leonard Maltin awarded the film one and a half out of a possible four stars, calling it "talky [and] routine".[5] TV Guide rated the film two out of four stars, commending the film's direction, make-up effects, and performances.[6]

• The Catman of Paris at the American Film Institute Catalog
• The Catman of Paris at AllMovie
• The Catman of Paris on IMDb
• The Catman of Paris at the TCM Movie Database