Falling Cat
"Marey captures a cat landing on its feet."
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About this film
Étienne-Jules Marey films a cat dropped upside down, capturing thirty-six frames that show the animal righting itself mid-fall and landing on its feet.
More about this film
About the production
Themes
Themes & topics
Historical background
Released in 1894 during cinema's first decade, Falling Cat reached audiences when exhibitors were still defining programming conventions. The narrative hook—Étienne-Jules Marey films a cat dropped upside down, capturing thirty-six…—reflects what contemporary producers thought would draw viewers.
Why this film matters
Falling Cat remains discussed by archivists tracing how screen stories of its period represented work, desire, conflict, and social order. Its central situation—Étienne-Jules Marey films a cat dropped upside down, capturing thirty-six…—still prompts questions about genre conventions and audience expectations.
What critics said
Trade and newspaper notices for Falling Cat generally emphasized casting, spectacle, and program fit rather than extended aesthetic argument. Retrospective screenings and archival notes continue to shape how viewers evaluate Falling Cat today.
Did you know?
- 36 sequential frames on 85mm celluloid negative
- Presented to the Académie des Sciences, 29 October 1894
- Filmed at about 12 frames per second
- Preserved in the Science Museum Group collection
- Also called Chronophotograph of 'Chat chute'
Where to watch
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKYmECOKd58