MovieChat Forums > The Cat in the Hat (2003) Discussion > Why did Mike Myers play the Cat as a 50s...

Why did Mike Myers play the Cat as a 50something Jewish woman?

posted 14 years ago by Caractacus23
4 replies | jump to latest

Well? Anyone got any theories?

Been making IMDB board posts since the 90s, yet can't bring up any from before December of 2004.

[–] rycki1138 14 years ago

He based the voice in part on his "Coffee Talk" character Linda Richman from SNL.

Mike Myers said that the Cat's personality is a composite of director/producer Bruce Paltrow, his "Saturday Night Live" character "Linda Richman", and actor Charles Nelson Reilly.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312528/trivia?tr0707032

(knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny

[–] Caractacus23 14 years ago

Well, I guess that explains WHAT he did (and my original supposition wasn't far off), but it doesn't explain WHY. Who thinks of Charles Nelson Reilly when they think of "The Cat in the Hat," anyway?

Been making IMDB board posts since the 90s, yet can't bring up any from before December of 2004.

[–] whomod 13 years ago

Well considering he tossed in as many offensive black and Latino stereotypes as he could, it doesn't surprise me that he also managed to draw upon Jewish caricatures as well.

Most of them came off as mean spirited and borderline racist to me.

[–] KTope 13 years ago

Because he can only do a handful of "funny" voices, most of which he burned through with Austin Powers and Shrek characters.

I am Jack's IMDb post.