The All Black Cat Edition.
All I see are bats and cats. And, Hollywood's past! We hope you enjoy this spooky edition of Mao Mao on this Halloween. It's giving Purranormal Cativity.
We missed National Black Cat Day (October 27) AND National Cat Day (October 29) last week. But here at Mao Mao, every day is cat day. It's Halloween week, and we're excited to share some interesting facts about black cats in Hollywood. They are spiritual. They are majestic. They are mysterious. They are here to stay. Despite myths and legends that associate black cats with witchcraft and Halloween, they continue to thrive and leave their mark in Hollywood. Here’s a summary list:
🎬 Tales of Terror (1962)
🕷️ Stephen King’s Pet Sematary
🐈⬛ Meet Salem
☕ A Tribute to Matthew Perry (1969-2023)
🎬 And…Catnip! Hollywood’s Cat-Studded Audition Day in 1961
Hollywood needed cats (finally). Many star-studded animal roles were for dogs. Not this time, at least not for this film. Hollywood wasn’t looking for just any type of cat. They needed a special black cat with a mean look. This lucky feline would rise to stardom and be involved at the height of the climax in the 1962 horror compilation Tales of Terror. The film was adapted from the short story The Black Cat by notable author and poet Edgar Allen Poe, written back in 1843.
Exactly 152 cats and their owners showed up for the movie audition. Many were disqualified because of their white noses and paws. But it turned out that the lead role was already filled by an unidentified “well-known professional cat.” However, seven lucky cat extras were chosen as understudies!
Serious questions — how did they manage to have so many well-behaved cats? They didn’t fight? And how about normalizing leashes on our cats and going on adventurous walks? I’m in 🙋🏻♀️
Hollywood has produced several memorable black cat characters in both animated and live-action films and TV shows. Some of the most iconic ones include Binx, Felix the Cat, Luna from "Sailor Moon," Jiji, Salem from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and many others!
🕷️ “He’s my cat! He’s not God’s cat! Let God have his own cat!”
Book rec alert? 🚨 I know this one might be a little disturbing, but I couldn’t leave it out! I told you I’d give you something spooky. Stephen King certainly outdid himself with Pet Semetary, one of his scariest novels of all time, and the story begins on Halloween day.
In Pet Sematary, a family moves to Ludlow, Maine, and discovers a strange graveyard in the woods behind their new home that can bring back the dead. The cemetery is home to the remains of many dogs and cats who were killed by vehicles on a busy nearby highway and were buried by local children over several generations.
The movie rendition made approximately $113 million at the box office.
Learn more about Stephen King’s inspiration here.
Read if you dare.
🐈⬛ Meet Salem (Cat of the Week)
Shoutout to my friend Caroline Frank for letting me put Salem in this week’s newsletter. Everyone, meet this cutie named Salem. Can we get any more on point with our Halloween theme!? I’ve had the pleasure of cat-sitting Salem and his brother Señor Kitty in Cambridge. I mean, they are practically my neighbors, and I love them (and their pawwesome parents, too).
About Salem:
Born on April 4, 2017, from Southhampton, NY
Eats anything. His favorite: Churus
Needs nightly cuddles with his emotionally supportive humans
Surprisingly athletic 🤸🏼
Big proponent of body positivity and mental health issues (Yassss king✨)
Did I mention that my friend is a talented and indie rom-com author? Check out her books and follow her on Instagram!
☕ The One Where We Lost A Friend
On Saturday, October 28th, 2023, Matthew Perry, best known for his role as the iconic sitcom character Chandler Bing (or Miss Chanandler Bong) on the hit TV show ‘Friends’, tragically passed away in his Los Angeles home after an apparent drowning in his hot tub, hours after playing pickleball.
Perry had openly shared his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. His courage and bravery are evident in his memoir, where he talks about his years as a cast member of “Friends,” his addictions, and the rest that follows. Behind the camera, he dove deep into his extensive philanthropic work as an advocate for addiction rehabilitation. Perry eventually turned his former Malibu home into a sober living facility/rehab center called the Perry House, which closed its doors in 2015.
People who know me know that I started watching 'Friends' when I was a toddler. Although I didn't understand the jokes or dialogue back then, I found a connection with the characters, especially Chandler and Phoebe. As I grew up, the show and its characters inspired me to pursue film school and, ultimately, to become a writer and storyteller. I appreciate Matthew's dedication to making a difference in other people's lives through change and action. He was truly one of a kind, and his legacy will always be cherished.
“Goodbye, Chandler Bing” - Janice
🕊️ Rest in Peace, Matthew Perry 🕊️
Don’t forget to check in on the ones you love, furry and not furry.
Take care of yourself.
-Mao Mao
Love this black cat edition, from my own spooky moggy, Toast!
*Correction: Matthew Perry did not own a dog. He shared a dog with his ex-fiancé, but after their breakup Alfred stayed with her. It has been updated on the website. We apologize for the misinformation!