THAT DARN CAT (1965) Movie Poster, Original Vintage Daybill, Dean Jones
Size AU Daybill Post-War (13" x 30")
THAT DARN CAT (1965) Movie Poster Original Vintage Daybill, Starring Dean Jones, Hayley Mills, Dorothy Provine, Directed by Robert Stevenson, is in Very Fine+ Condition Movie Poster and Condition. Condition:...
THAT DARN CAT (1965) Movie Poster Original Vintage Daybill, Starring Dean Jones, Hayley Mills, Dorothy Provine, Directed by Robert Stevenson, is in Very Fine+ Condition
Movie Poster and Condition.
Condition: This original, vintage, unrestored Daybill presents as Very Fine+ condition, with 2 Daybill folds as issued, minute paper chips at the top of the poster, some minor paper creasing on the 2nd fold and some minor handling wear which is common for the age, considering these issues, it still presents with vibrant colours and has a clean presentation.
This charming and highly collectible original vintage Australian Daybill poster represents a delightful piece of Disney film memorabilia from the mid-1960s. The poster maintains excellent overall presentation, with only light signs of age consistent with theatrical use. The traditional Daybill format, unique to Australia, adds to its rarity and appeal among collectors. While the poster artist is not credited, the playful and engaging design perfectly reflects the light-hearted mystery and family-friendly tone of the film.
Movie Synopsis
That Darn Cat! (1965) is a beloved Disney live-action comedy mystery directed by Robert Stevenson, known for his work on classics such as Mary Poppins. The film stars Hayley Mills, Dean Jones, and Dorothy Provine, delivering a delightful blend of humour, suspense, and family entertainment that has endured for generations.
The story centres on a mischievous Siamese cat named DC (short for “Darn Cat”), whose nightly wanderings unexpectedly entangle him in a kidnapping case. When a bank teller is abducted during a robbery, she manages to attach a clue to DC’s collar, setting off a chain of events that draws the attention of amateur sleuth Patti Randall (Hayley Mills). Convinced that the cat holds the key to solving the crime, Patti enlists the help of the FBI.
Enter Agent Zeke Kelso, played by Dean Jones, who reluctantly takes on the unusual assignment of tracking the elusive feline. As the investigation unfolds, Kelso finds himself navigating increasingly absurd situations, often at the mercy of DC’s unpredictable behaviour. The film expertly balances comedic timing with light suspense, creating an engaging narrative that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Produced by Walt Disney Productions, the film was part of a successful era of live-action family films that blended wholesome storytelling with gentle humour. Hayley Mills, already a popular Disney star, brings charm and determination to her role, while Dean Jones’ comedic performance adds a layer of warmth and relatability. The screenplay, written by Bill Walsh and Gordon Gordon, is based on the novel “Undercover Cat,” showcasing Disney’s knack for adapting literary works into accessible and entertaining films.
One interesting aspect of the production is the use of multiple trained cats to portray DC, each contributing to different aspects of the character’s behaviour. This attention to detail helped create a believable and memorable animal performance, which remains a highlight of the film.
Today, That Darn Cat! (1965) is regarded as a classic Disney family film, celebrated for its humour, charm, and nostalgic appeal. For collectors, this original vintage Daybill poster offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of Disney history, capturing the playful spirit of one of the studio’s most endearing live-action comedies.
To find out more about That Darn Cat! (1965) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes.
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.