The Cat’s Meow

 It’s been a while since I threw into the mess a little review of something. But last night, our son slept well again, which enabled us to sit on the sofa with a DVD. This time we pulled out one of my favourites: The Cat’s Meow.

Directed by Peter Bogdanovich and with a medley of super actors, including the British favourites Joanna Lumley and Eddie Izzard, this movie tells the tale of an ill-fated boat voyage hosted by the renown newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. This movie is based on true events that occurred during a party hosted by Hearst on his ship, The Oneida, in 1924 that involved many well-known and influential players in the movie industry, including the silent screen stars Charlie Chaplin and Marion Davies, the gossip columnist Louella Parsons and novelist Elinor Glyn. Although the actual events portrayed aboard the ship are fictional, what is known is that when the ship returned from its cruise along the Californian coast to San Diego, one person was dead.

‘The Cat’s Meow’ is a turn of phrase that refers to a whisper – although the events on board the ship are completely unknown, this movie highlights the most common story that has been whispered through the decades to explain what happened during a single night aboard The Oneida. The tale focusses on the obsessive nature of the relationship between W.R. Hearst and his mistress, Marion Davies that culminates in a fatal loss. It is a captivating story, made even more so due to all the conspiracy stories surrounding it. With so many British actors (including Claudie Blakley – see her as Charlotte in the 2005 movie version of Pride and Prejudice, as well as in my favourites Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford), so many glittery costumes, so many secrets, this film is perfect for a night in!

Peter says: Who knew Charlie Chaplin was so randy?!

Gayle says: Glittery gorgeous gamut of glamourous thesps!

See the trailer here.