Never far from the screen, Stephen King's prolific collection of movies and TV shows hasn't always been that freely available on disc, particularly in HD. 1985 offering Cat's Eye is receiving it's first HD release in the UK, available on both 4K and Blu-ray.
A charmingly funny if not scary anthology film; Cat's Eye bridges two stories from King's short story collection ‘Night Shift', with another written for the film. They are brought together and observed by a typically curious cat, who leaves each story just in time for that one to end and the following one to begin.
The first, ‘Quitters, Inc.' stars James Woods as Dick Morrison, a family man who really, really wants to quit smoking. He goes to a business called ‘Quitters, Inc.', and they promise that after signing a permission slip, he can go on his way on the promise that if he smokes, something bad will happen to his family. He doesn't entirely believe this, but soon the paranoia escalates, he believes he's being followed and spied on. Fear builds for the safety of his wife and daughter, alongside the ever-growing withdrawal from the nicotine he is still physically addicted to.
This is followed by ‘The Ledge', in which adulterer Johnny Norris (Robert Hays) finds himself in the clutches of his paramour's jealous husband, Cressner (Kenneth McMillan). Both keen gamblers, they come to an agreement (with some coercion) that if Johnny can make his way around the outside ledge of Cressner's penthouse apartment, he will grant his wife a divorce. Vertigo sufferers beware for this one.
The final section, and arguably the most enjoyable, brings the cat to centre stage. He is adopted and named General (also the title of the story) by Drew Barrymore's Amanda. Unbeknownst to Amanda and her parents, there is a troll lurking in the walls who wishes to steal her breath while she sleeps. General has been drawn there by this evil troll, and takes it on in a fight to the death.
As you can probably tell from the description of these stories, Cat's Eye isn't a serious piece of work. It's a bit of fun, and it works perfectly well in that context. It's true strength is in the use of practical effects, forced perspective, miniatures and in-camera optics to tell the stories on a low budget. This is explained in excellent detail by director Lewis Teague in the commentary included on the disc.
Also included is a more recent interview with Lewis Teague, in which there is some discrepancy with the numbers he says in the commentary, suggesting his stories are prone to exaggeration the more he tells them. He's such a prolific and enjoyable director though that it's mostly charming. There is also an interview with Robert Hays, who is so full of stories, anecdotes and knowledge that he seems like the best dinner guest you could ever have.
Cat's Eye may not make it into even the top ten Stephen King Adaptations, but if you're a King fan, there is enough to enjoy here to warrant a place on your shelf.
STUDIOCANAL release Stephen King's classic suspense thriller CAT'S EYE. Available on Ultra HD™, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital from 23rd May 2022
