The popularity of Bengal cats in movies is growing. Similarly, Bengal cats have become one of the most highly desired domestic cats. Neither was always the case.
Bengal cats have always been admired due in part to their unique spots. The Bengal cat’s spotted history is full of misinformation, bad press, politics, and celebrity. Some history is so subtle it’s been lost — such as Bengal cats in movies.
The first appearance of a Bengal cat in a movie dates back to 1991 in the film, Proof, with Hugo Weaving and Russell Crowe. That Bengal was marbled. The first Bengal cat with spotted markings appeared a few years later — in a romantic comedy set in New York City.
A Tale of Bengal Kittens in a Hollywood Film
This article will provide some great Bengal cat history of three Bengal kittens who played the part of one well-traveled Bengal kitten. It’s deserving of more exposure in Bengal cat history.
The Year Was 1996
Actor, George Clooney had become a leading man in film. A romantic comedy featuring himself and Michelle Pfeiffer was about to begin shooting on location in New York City. Filming officially started in the cold of winter in late February. It would end that spring — May 1996.
Word is George earned a reported $3,000,000.00 to appear in One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer credited as executive producer. It would be great to confirm Michelle Pfeiffer was involved directly in this behind-the-scenes story of Bengal cats, we can’t.
Who decided upon casting the Bengal cat is also a mystery. What can be confirmed is the story of how the working producers searched and found three Bengal litter-mates for the role of a kitten during filming in the spring of 1996.
In fact, the kittens in the film are never credited with names or by breed. So on what authority can it be asserted the kitten in One Fine Day is a Bengal? What evidence is there?
The answer lies in a humble Bengal cat breeder located in Elmer, New Jersey. Her name is Pat Killmaire. Her cattery is Aluren.
Humble is a very accurate description of Pat as she has not once in all the years since this took place, attempted to use the experience to elevate her status. That is why only now, near 30 years later this little gem of Bengal cat history is being told.
Pat graciously provided a great deal of information about how her Bengal kittens (yes more than one was used) took part in the filming of One Fine Day. Aside from historical references in past articles confirming the kitten in the film is a Bengal, Pat’s accounting will confirm this truth, 100 percent.
The Jean Mill Connection
Bengal cat enthusiasts know the significance of Jean Mill in this story. To readers unfamiliar with this name, Jean Mill is the most well-known name in Bengal cat history. Jean was one of the first pioneers (if not the first) in the creation of the Bengal cat.
Jean worked tirelessly since the 1960s to establish the Bengal cat. By this time in our story, the Bengal cat had finally established itself in the New Breed category with TICA (1983) followed by the prestigious CFA (1991) in recent years.
It stands to reason that One Fine Day’s producers began their search in California. Jean herself lived in California. It was inevitable they came to her as the ultimate resource.
By the mid 90s the Bengal was taking the world by storm — just not as fast as it would today. The Internet was nascent at the time and there was roughly 200 or so Bengal breeders at the time.
Among them all Jean Mill was the name in Bengal cats and she lived right close to Hollywood. The producers sought her out and were prepared to use her Bengals until she suggested they use a breeder more local to the filming location of Manhattan, New York. Jean Mill suggested they contact a fellow breeder she held in high regard. Pat Killmaire of Aluren.
Finding Bengal Cats for the Filming One Fine Day
With filming about to take place all over mid-town and lower Manhattan, the producers of One Fine Day were asked to contact Pat Killmaire at her home in Elmer, New Jersey. Pat happened to have a litter of kittens that fit the age requirement in filming.
Soon after the phone call, Pat sent the producer photos which closed the deal. Pat recalls the kittens from their photos. In her own words, they were “Beautifully rosetted and red.” The film producer that Pat worked with during this process needed multiple kittens to play one part. These three were the perfect age and number of kittens he needed.
Star Bengals Travelling By Limo
Pat also recalls the producer arrived in a limo and the kittens left in first-class style back to New York.
Before getting far ahead in this story, Pat had her own requirements to assure the Bengal kittens would be safe and healthy at all times.
To Pat’s relief the producers had even more stringent standards. They gave Pat complete confidence her kittens would be just fine. In speaking to Pat about the experience, Pat explained, “They (the film producers) were absolutely fabulous to work with.”
Meeting the Health and Safety Needs of Pat's Bengals
Many means were used to make certain her Bengal kitten wouldn’t be stressed or injured and every aspect of health was covered. First. Consider that the kittens were nearing eight weeks and still nursing as filming began.
That day the producers left in their limo, they didn’t take just the kittens. They took the mother and kittens together and arranged for them to stay with the producer and his wife at their New York apartment nearby the set during filming that spring in 1996.
Videos were sent to Pat from the set almost daily for months to confirm the needs and health of her Bengal kittens were in order. If that wasn’t enough, the producers of One Fine Day hired a veterinarian to remain on set each day to tend to the mother and kittens.
Pat's Compensation For Including Aluren's Bengal Kittens
You might think the producers of the film rented the kittens, but instead, they paid the full price of the kittens up front. In fact, they wanted to buy her Bengal kittens permanently.
Without knowing what would happen to the kittens after filming ended, Pat insisted they be returned. After all, she previously accepted deposits on the kittens. It was decided and agreed to early. They would need to be returned. When filming ended in May of 1996 the mother and kittens returned to Aluren.
Pat explained that they didn’t return in a limo. They returned in a van and for good reason. It was filled with over $1,000.00 in cat toys and more as an additional thank you from the filmmakers. Pat received two cat trees, numerous cat condos, scratching posts, carriers, beds and so many cat toys she wouldn’t dream to begin counting them.
With Aluren’s Bengal kittens returned, the three eventually made their way to their new homes and families.
George Clooney, The Bengal Cat and Pat
Pat didn’t receive any word on the film premier, but she was offered to come to be on the set to care for her Bengals. Pat was even offered to come to the set to meet both actors, George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer.
In what Pat expressed as a true regret, she was unable to go. It was clear from her voice, she really wanted to go. An important family matter simply made it impossible at the time. She laments missing this opportunity but with grace she laughs as she recalls telling her husband, “I told Frank if I went to NY to see George Clooney, I may never come back.”
Filming With Aluren's Bengal Kittens
Midway through the story, the script calls for George Clooney’s character’s daughter to find the Bengal kitten in a boutique shop. She pleads with her father to let her keep it and he could only agree. His daughter names their Bengal kitten Bob. And no, the kitten is never identified as a Bengal by the characters in the film.
What’s fascinating is the actors carry that kitten everywhere for the remainder of the afternoon. From a cab ride through mid-town to the Polo Club then carried up 6th Avenue (literally), then onto The Mall past the Bandshell across Bethesda Terrace to the Fountain and eventually ending up at the Great Lawn softball fields in Central Park.
What transpired is easily overlooked by any moviegoer but is a testimony of the temperament and resiliency of a Bengal, even as a kitten. It’s also safe to assume all the kittens were used to keep any specific one of them from being stressed. It stands to reason this is why the Bengal breed was selected for this part of the film. You might be asking, but what specifically transpired?
Bengal Cats Work Well In Movies
Watch carefully. You’ll see child actress Mae Whitman is gripping the kitten by the loose skin behind the neck in every scene she carries one. From running across 6th avenue to Bethesda Fountain when they are stomping in the water puddle, she’s got a specific type of grip on the Bengal kitten. Few breeds have the confidence and temperament to fill this type of role in a movie.
It’s clear Mae was taught exactly how to hold a cat by the cat wrangler or vet on set. Bengal or no Bengal had it slipped to the ground it would be quite hard to retrieve. And yet the Bengal kitten showed no signs of irritation or impatience.
For all the kitten was put through, you don’t even notice that it is at relative peace being tossed around while the actors are running and splashing in water.
George Clooney’s character also holds the Bengal kitten in multiple scenes and seems to have a natural bond with the animal. That proves to be true because Pat stated George also inquired to purchase the kitten. As mentioned before, Pat had already taken deposits on the entire litter and he was informed it wasn’t possible to buy any of the kittens Pat provided in the film.
So How Does It End?
Overall, the Bengal kitten in the movie One Fine Day adds an extra layer of charm to the already delightful film. It is a great example of how animals can bring joy and excitement to a production.
If you’re a fan of Bengal cats, or just love watching adorable animals on screen, One Fine Day is definitely worth a watch. And if you are one of the owners of Pat’s kittens from One Fine Day, it would be nice to hear from you and give this story a proper ending.
Oh. And what has become of Pat Killmaire? She now lives in Florida with family and still breeds Bengal cats. She’s spent all these years improving the breed and is a true champion of the Bengal cat. If anyone deserved to have their Bengal cat in a movie, Pat Killmaire is that person. I only wish for her that George Clooney would reach out to her to say hello.
Bengal Cats In Movies FAQ
According to Cinema Cats, Bengal cats made their first movie appearance in the film, Proof released in 1991. It featured a Bengal cat with marble markings. The first spotted Bengal in film is 1996's One Fine Day featuring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Bengal cats are ideal for movies due to resilient and outgoing confidence. In addition they train quickly as they understand human words quite well. Bengals interact with humans with ease making them respond well to requests.
