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Hero image for When the Cat's Away

When the Cat's Away

Television (Full Length) – 1987

This concert film captures When the Cat's Away during their first tour. Director Alan Thurston captures the high energy performance and pure joie de vivre of the five women vocalists, showing why the group became a Kiwi favourite. A set focusing on New Zealand songs, international hits of the period and soul classics proved irresistible on the pub circuit. The group would go on to score hit records and bigger shows (playing to 80,000 the following summer). But this was the moment they arrived. The film won best documentary at the 1988 Film and Television Awards.

Every gig you look forward to. There’s no gig where you think ‘aww what a drag,’ you know, it’s like wow, cool. I’m gonna have a good time tonight.
– Margaret Urlich

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Tim Pollard

Tim Pollard

Camera

Generic Profile image for Christine Munro

Christine Munro

Editor

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Alan Thurston

Producer, Director

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David Madigan

Sound Editor

Generic Profile image for Linda McLennan

Linda McLennan

Assistant Camera

Generic Profile image for Annie Crummer

Annie Crummer

Subject

See all 12 credits

Produced by

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TVNZ

Source

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TVNZ

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Interviews with members of When The Cat's Away

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The vocal group’s first video

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An L&P ad featuring band members

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A later hit for the group

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Also featuring Debbie Harwood

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Queen City Rocker

Cat Kim Willoughby stars in this film

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If That'll Make You Happy

A solo Debbie Harwood music video

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The Son of a Gunn Show - Christmas Special

Cats Debbie Harwood and Kim Willoughby are guests

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For Today

Annie Crummer on backing vocals

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Ocean Moon/Hina Ki Tai

Cat's Away member Annie Crummer singing in te reo Māori

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The Pā Boys

Another Kiwi pub tour

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Escaping

Margaret Urlich solo

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Tagata Pasifika - 2011 Polynesian Blue Pacific Music Awards

Annie Crummer picks up an award

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See What Love Can Do

Annie Crummer music video

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Radio with Pictures - Women Songwriters

Cat’s Away member Dianne Swann features in this report

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Room that Echoes

Margaret Urlich’s earlier band

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One Day

Dianne Swann provides guitar and backing vocals on this

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Sweet Soul Music - First Episode

More Debbie Harwood

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Heartbroke

Debbie Harwood features in this music video

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Stranger People

Another video with an Oriental flavour

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Newsnight - Rastus the Cat

A motorcycling cat

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Good Luck to You

Earlier band featuring Margaret Urlich