BECAUSE OF THE CATS

[mteal]

Here's the trailer for the 1973 film BECAUSE OF THE CATS, by the Oscar-winning Dutch filmmaker Fons Rademakers. It's based on Nicholas Frehling's 1963 novel about a vicious gang of "untouchable" rich kids. Orson Welles tried unsuccessfully to make a film of this same novel five years earlier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud75G0-8j8U

“Because of the Cats” is long-forgotten now, but it's a pretty well-made film; dark and brutal in spots, but still of interest because of Welles's interest in the story. The similarity to A CLOCKWORK ORANGE is perhaps one of the main reasons why the film was made: to try and capitalize on the success of Kubrick's film. Sylvia Kristel, the soft-core porn star who passed away recently, makes a brief appearance in the film, and Canadian actress Alexandra Stewart plays Feodora, a local prostitute involved with one of the gang leaders. This part would have been played by Oja Kodar in Welles' film. It's not known what part Welles himself would have played, if he had intended to appear in the film at all.

At the University of Michigan's Welles/Oja Kodar archive, there are four folders devoted to Because of the Cats, including several script drafts and production materials from 1969. It would be interesting to know what attracted Welles to this story, although the idea of teenage thugs who violate women is something that was seen in TOUCH OF EVIL as well. And in a strange way, the story also has echoes of FALSTAFF.



Hans Van Hemert singing the title song:
http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2008/04/ ... -cats.html

[ToddBaesen]

Welles must have been drawn to it because of SINGING IN THE RAIN.

Seriously, I find this rather fascinating. Was Welles simply indulging his mistress, Oja, or was he truly interested in the the project.

Sadly, I must say Oja Kodar has very little talent, in any way shape or form, except for her shape and form.

[mteal]

Now now, Todd. She's reputed to be a talented sculptress, and her statue of Welles in Split, Croatia is very good, although I've only seen it in photos, like the one at Ray's OW Memorials page:

http://www.wellesnet.com/?page_id=2606

As far as what attracted Welles to BECAUSE OF THE CATS, I think he may have been intrigued by the story's analysis of disaffected youth coming under the influence of a malevolent genius, and probably saw some parallels with the rise of Naziism. The '73 film seems to have some subtle allusions to the Manson family as well. but of course, Welles tried to make his film before they ever became news. But you're certainly right that finding a good part for Oja also seems to have been a very high priority for Welles during this period.