366 Days at the Drive-In: Day 327

The Date: August 22

The Movie: All That Money Can Buy (1941)

What Is It?: Screenwriter Stephen Vincent Benét adapts his own story “The Devil and Daniel Webster” for RKO pictures with a classic turn from Walter Huston as “Mr. Scratch,” the Devil who does his day in court to argue for the copyright on Eddie Arnold’s soul. Look out for the original Cat Woman, Simone Simon, as one of the devil’s minions!

Why Today?: On this day in 1952, the Devil’s Island penal colony is closed for business.

366 Days at the Drive-In: Day 220

The Date: May 7

The Movie: Curse of the Cat People (1944)

What Is It?: RKO demanded a follow-up to the smash hit Cat People, so cheeky producer Val Lewton reused that film’s three main characters and nothing else, basically turning the characters into completely different people too. The original Cat Woman, Simone Simon, is now a ghost guide to a sweet little girl with an overactive imagination. This is a beautiful, enchanting, and somewhat sad fairy tale about putting away childish things.

Why Today?: On this day in 1904, Val Lewton is born.

366 Days at the Drive-In: Day 16

The Date: October 16

The Movie: Cat People (1942)

What Is It?: Whether or not Simone Simon is actually a murderous were-cat or just thinks she’s one is irrelevant in a movie so atmospheric, eerie, and inventive. The bus and pool scenes get all the attention, but an animated dream sequence is the one that really leaps off the screen.

Why Today?: Today is Feral Cat Day.