Polidor and the Cat

About This Movie

So, 'Polidor and the Cat' from 1913 is quite the curiosity. The plot spins around this fellow, Polidor, who sets out on a quest for some lost kittens but ends up bringing home lion cubs instead. The absurdity escalates—imagine three months of these cubs wreaking havoc on the furniture without Polidor even catching on. It has this charming, chaotic vibe typical of early silent comedies, and the practical effects, while crude, lend a certain whimsical quality to the whole thing. I find the pacing a bit off at times, but it really captures that early 20th-century humor. There's a delightful naivety in its storytelling that can be refreshing, especially among the more polished later films.

This film is somewhat elusive in the collector's circuit, with few known prints, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate early silent cinema. It's surfaced in various formats over the years, but the prints tend to show their age, which adds to the charm for some collectors. The scarcity and peculiar premise attract a niche following among enthusiasts who are eager to delve into the lighter side of early 20th-century filmmaking.