The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Mary McDuie (Karen Dotrice) is a young, motherless girl living in Scotland at the turn of the 20th century. Of course, she does have her father, veterinarian Dr. Andrew McDuie (Patrick McGoohan) but he's been cold and distant since her mother died. Therefore, her only real solace is her cat Thomasina, a beautiful orange tabby with personality. It does help that her housekeeper is quite nice and the children of the neighborhood are her dear friends. On the outskirts of the village lives a lady, Lori (Susan Hampshire) who the children think is a WITCH. She does have a yard full of rescued animals and a magic way about healing the creatures. Thomasina goes in and out Mary's bedroom window by the help of a tall tree and often goes out at night. Unhappily, Thomasina eats the wrong food, becomes sick and appears dead, even though Dr. Mac promised to save her. Mary is so upset she ignores everything her father says, hinting that he is "dead" to her. But, when the children take the box with Thomasina to the town's edge, planning to bury her and hold a funeral, the "witch" appears and scares them away. Only she notices that Thomasina is still alive and takes her home to nurse her. Will Thomasina survive? Will the village drive the "witch" away? This lovely story has the rarity of being about a cat, not a dog, and a clever, patient one at that. Dotrice is winning as the young girl who dresses her cat in clothes and takes him on buggy adventures. McGoohan is also fine as the stern father and Hampshire is sweet and lovely as Lori. Other cast members, scenery, costumes, script and direction are all nicely fitting. Beware, parents, that Thomasina appears to die and there are many tears that may fall. However, cat lovers, Disney fans, and family film friends will welcome this title as an oldie but goodie.

Some of the scenes are beautifully shot, as far as a children's/cat movie goes, this one is pretty interesting with a fun plot and great supporting child actors. (The main role "Mary" however is one of the most annoying child I've seen anywhere, a total spoiled brat.) The movie itself raises many questions and left many of them unanswered. There's this child Mary who has an obsession over her cat, obviously because she lost her mother at a young age and never got enough attention from her Dad. Unable to accept the death of her cat, like the death of her mom, this psychopathic kid decided to "kill" her dad as well. Meanwhile Mary's dad failed to bring his daughter to her sense or her health. Then there's the Witch, who has shut herself from civilization, probably after her parents' tragic death, and lives on faith and only makes friends with animals. The cat Thomasina, who when science failed to rescue her was brought back to life on a strictly homeopathic/spiritual term. And who eventually brought these three dysfunctional beings together to make one big "happy" family. What these humans have struggle to understand and resolve was all smeared away in one go by this "magical" cat. However she's not magical at all, unlike many heroes like Peter Pan, who actually teaches children/adults lessons, enlightens them and make them realize their own faults and doings, Thomasina is far from educational or inspirational. She teaches no lesson and offers no wisdom. And this is exactly where Thomasina failed. For no matter how much a movie is about an animal, it's always a magnifier of humanity, a reflection of human wisdom/spirituality, a wake-up call for the humans. In this particular movie, none of the humans were "waken up", in the end they still sit around the table living what seems to be a wonderful life unconsciously, they are perhaps less conscious than the cat, less human even. For the cat has "chosen" the family, "chosen" to come back, leaving the family helpless without her. And a real master would know this, the greatest lesson to give, is to enable his students to help themselves.

In sparkling 1912 Scotland, an orange tabby named "Thomasina" explains how she came to live with little Karen Dotrice (as Mary), her stern veterinarian father Patrick McGoohan (as Andrew McDhui), and housekeeper Jean Anderson (as Mrs. MacKenzie). The cat amusingly states the family originally named her "Thomas" until they "…got to know me better." At this moment, you know you're going to like this animal. We also learn the cat, speaking marvelously through Elspeth March, has been murdered. This extraordinary opening perfectly introduces the cat's personality, and prepares you for its death.The opening theme song, written by folk singer Terry Gilkyson, is purrfectly infectious.The story intensifies when "Thomasina" is crushed under an avalanche of crates, while prowling a fish market. With her young friends' help, Ms. Dotrice finds the cat, and brings "Thomasina" to her father. You'd think Mr. McGoohan, a veterinarian, would do everything possible to save his daughter's pet, which he promises to do - but, McGoohan is saving the life of a blind man's seeing eye dog, and orders "Thomasina" put to sleep. Before this, we've seen him make this decision about other animals, and wonder if his decisions are being made in haste. Later, we learn he suffers from guilt regarding his wife's death.McGoohan thinks he can simply replace "Thomasina" with another cat, and cannot understand why Dotrice is taking the death so hard. Dotrice's friends, Vincent Winter (as Hughie), Denis Gilmore (as Jamie), and "Mary Poppins" co-star Matthew Garber (as Geordie), give "Thomasina" a child-like funeral, which is interrupted by a woman they both admire and fear - spooky Susan Hampshire (as Lori MacGregor), the superstitious town's resident "witch". Ms. Hampshire takes the animal, which, we learn, is NOT dead. But, before this, it has what could be described as a "near-death experience." Or, is it "Cat Heaven?" It's all cleverly plotted, from Paul Gallico's original novel, with enough room to support differing interpretations.Dotrice's depression worsens. She will have nothing more do with McGoohan, telling others, "My father's dead," and, "My daddy's dead. I killed him." Her young friends successfully plot to end McGoohan's veterinary practice. "Thomasina" recovers, but with amnesia; she stays with the witch, aware something is wrong with her life. When his daughter falls deathly ill, "man of science" McGoohan tries to reconnect with his Christian faith, lamenting, "I've forgotten how to pray." He also begins to connect with Hampshire, which leads to the most unimaginative part of the story. Still, this is an excellent, underrated film.******** The Three Lives of Thomasina (12/11/63) Don Chaffey ~ Patrick McGoohan, Karen Dotrice, Susan Hampshire, Elspeth March

A film with a lovely story that appeals to both adults and children. There are few cat films of note and Disney's "Thomasina" can take its place as one of the best in content and performance. The principals are excellent with Susan Hampshire as the kindhearted, pretty "witch of the glen" taking top honors with one of her finest performances. The secondary performers are sterling with the village clergyman and the family's housekeeper especially engaging. Juvenile actress Karen Dotrice as Mary McDhui is superb with her co-worker Matthew Garber turning in an excellent performance as her playmate. (Dotrice and Garber would one day appear as the Banks siblings in Disney's masterpiece "Mary Poppins.") A word of warning! Many film viewers today are sensitive to the treatment animals receive during production and sadly "Thomasina" is marred with the evident abuse its performing feline star receives: the poor cat is soaked with water for several rainy scenes and in the dream sequence she appears to have been dropped from a height, twisting and turning to regain her balance. Additionally, the cat was likely anesthetized for the funeral scene (anesthetization during film production is forbidden by today's ASPCA) and there are other scenes in which the viewer may wonder not only about the cat's treatment during production but the treatment of other animals as well. The film was made at a time when ASPCA regulations regarding animal abuse during film production were less stringent than today's regulations. A fine film in content and performance but some viewers will have issues with the treatment of the cat during production.