Inside The 1961 Feline Auditions For The Tales Of Terror Cat

Well, maybe the cats — 152 in total — didn't willingly line up for a chance at stardom, but their owners forced them into it (via Life). The 1843 tale of "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe followed the gruesome tale of a black cat named Pluto who was abused, murdered, and buried in a wall, only to be found by police beckoned who were there by Pluto's ghostly call (via Poe Stories). In 1962, the same story was adapted into a horror short-story film compilation entitle, "Tales of Terror" directed by Roger Coleman (via Rare Historical Photos). The film starred Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, but more importantly, a black cat.

The film went on to have very little critical acclaim with a current score of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 63% audience score, but prior to its filming, cat owners came out in droves to help their furry friends catch their first big break (via Rotten Tomatoes). The year before its release, countless cats with various black color patterns showed up for their chance. Only purely black cats were accepted, while many with white markings were sent home disappointed (we're sure they were fine once they were given a dish of food).

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