Officially a sequel to Lewton's 1942 chiller classic Cat People, this has some of the same characters as the previous film but offers a completely different perspective - that of a child. Carter is the disturbed little girl who lives in a dream world, conjuring up an imaginary playmate. Simon is Irena, the ghost of her father's first wife, who nine out of ten cats prefer. Marvellously eloquent, and touchingly accurate in accessing the secret landscape of a child's mind.

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this continuation of 1942’s Cat People follows Oliver Reed (Kent Smith), now remarried, living in idyllic Tarrytown, New York, and the father of six-year-old Amy. When Amy becomes withdrawn and speaks of consorting with a new "friend, ", Oliver worries that she may be under the influence of the spirit of his first wife. Is it just Amy’s imagination that has manifested the enigmatic Irena (Simone Simon), who long believed herself to be descended from a race of Cat People!

Directors Gunther V. Fritsch and Robert Wise (making his directorial debut), co-helmed a gothic-laced mix of fantasy and fright so astute it was used in college psychology classes. And producer Val Lewton, given small budgets and lurid, pre-tested film titles by RKO, worked with rising filmmakers to emphasize the fear of the unseen, and turn meager resources into momentous works of psychological terror.

1) Warner - Region 1- NTSC LEFT

2) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' Blu-ray RIGHT

Audio is transferred in a DTS-HD Master 2.0 mono (24-bit) and supports the impressive score by Roy Webb score (I Married a Witch, The Fallen Sparrow, The Window, Journey Into Fear, I Walked with a Zombie etc.) sounds excellent without any distortions. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Extras boast the original commentary by Greg Mank, featuring Simone Simon and a second by Steve Haberman - although some information is repeated they are both excellent in comparing the film to the original script, discussing Lewton and how Robert Wise reflected on him as his greatest influences, Simone Simon's difficulties etc.. It's a short-ish feature so the commentaries have value without appearing overly dry. There is also a 1/2 featurette; Lewton Muse: The Dark Eyes of Simone Simon further detailing her career. We also get a 20-minute audio interview with Anne Carter ('Amy' of the film). There are also theatrical trailers for both Cat People  40's films and a stills gallery.

An absolutely different film from the original - making it, often, a disappointment for many but as a film, in its own right, The Curse of the Cat People is brilliant focusing on the fears of childhood. The two commentaries and other supplements have value and the vastly improved a/v make it a must-own in my opinion. Absolutely recommended!