Vale Bob The Cat: One Cool Feline

Yesterday's sad news about the passing of Bob The Cat (real life star of films and books) got me thinking about cats in the movies.

Before I delve into the subject, I should at first say that I knew Bob; well, I used to give him a fiver/tenner when I saw him and his human chum James at the Angel Station in London's Islington.

He was a truly unique feline, he'd touch my hand (when I was proffering the cash) in an almost human way.

Bob also loved to pose with tourists for pictures. Nothing seemed to phase him.

A cool cat.

I was so impressed by this scarf-wearing moggie that I was thinking of contacting a publisher to explore the possibility of a book about Bob.

Well that was a road I certainly should have taken...ker-ching, as the phrase goes.

In another strange twist of fate, Ruta Gedmintas (His Dark Materials/The Strain) who played Betty in the first Bob movie used to go out with a mate of mine.

Any who, there's a sequel entitled A Gift From Bob out later in the year (tbc), so he can take a final bow to his fans.

Director Charles Martin Smith is a recognisable face from his acting roles in The Untouchables, Deep Cover, American Graffiti and many other pictures.

He's a dab hand at helming animal movies, which have included A Dog's Way Home, Air Bud and Dolphin Tale.

And in yet another coincidence, one of the production guys on the movie is also a chum.

Back to the movies...some other fabulous felines (NO animations - or bloody last year's Cats):

And as an extra, the ultra-cool Gary Seven's mysterious shape-shifting puss from the Star Trek episode Assignment: Earth: