The Cat Of The Railway Train | Cats Movie | Screen Bites

Steven McRae's dancing is just sublime! He almost stole the whole SHOW. Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat sings about how he runs an overnight train. Our favourite scene so far!
Cats (2019) SYNOPSIS: A tribe of cats must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
Watch the full movie here: www.uphe.com/movies/cats-2019
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#CatsMovie #CatsMusical #StevenMcRae #Skimbleshanks #Musicals #MusicalSongs #BroadwayShow

[@ahhhfakemonsters]

This feels like a scene from a different movie. It's fun, nothing weird or gross happens, trains are cool, the red pants minimize how bizare the cgi fur looks, and the musical arrangement is actually good

[@mrofftopic2802]

Yes! I am trying to understand why this scene does not have the same uncanny valley problem as the others. It is one the few scenes that Hooper abandons the "grounded" aesthetic and embraces the whimsical aspects of it all. From the cats actually acting out as passengers in a train station, to Skimbleshanks appearing in conductor costume, to the tap dancing imitating a train, to they all imagining being in a train. And, yes, it helps that the music is actually good for once in this movie and that the actor is an amazing performer. It all goes together to facilitate the suspension disbelieve, unlike most scenes in Cats. Something like "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" does not have the same effect because Hooper was to preoccupated in being "grounded" to allow the viewer to scape from reality but to weird to be believable. And, yes, it helps that the music is actually good for once in this movie, like sudenema pointed out, and that the actor is an amazing performer. It all goes together to facilitate the suspension disbelieve, unlike most scenes in Cats.

[@Dunewarrior00]

This may be the only comment pre-sideways that appreciates the difference between this piece and the rest of the movie.

[@shadowhound5113]

@@Dunewarrior00 sideways did a good video on in.

[@shadowhound5113]

@@sudanemamimikiki1527 the sad part is, it make me wonder are the performers that good or was it an accident.

[@shadowhound5113]

@@sudanemamimikiki1527 really? Because what I saw in this movie was not a good look. For anybody. But the tap dancer. It almost feels like an accident.

[@missjeffersonifyanasty9571]

This is the diamond in the rough performance of the whole movie

[@Titan360]

Skimpleshanks is the best song. But, I still feel like the musical itself did it better. The sudden stop for the tap dancing segment just kills the pacing for me.

[@sadeknight9112]

It’s telling when the best performance in the movie is from a ballet dancer with no singing experience.

[@nat.serrano]

Good observation

[@springheartedtiger]

She gave a 🌟🌟🌟 for her acting in this movie

[@ShawnMichaelsNo1]

@@springheartedtiger i think they mean Steven Mcrae the guy performing in the clip.

[@wolfieisacat13]

Theres a good reason for that, because he’s tapping his foot to the beat, they have a metronome playing in their ears.

[@sadeknight9112]

@@wolfieisacat13 no no, the click track was optional. Most of the time the actors would set the tempo at their own discretion which repulses me beyond words.

[@thomascampbell350]

That tap dancing on the rail was STRAIGHT HEAT

[@jaydenfox9586]

My favorite bit!

[@xanmontes8715]

I felt the sparks flying, man was cooking with the surface of the sun.

[@amalia7513]

I'm willing to bet that director Tom Hooper had very little to do with this scene which is why it is such higher quality than the rest of the movie

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

It's because Steven McRae, who plays Skimbleshanks, is a professional ballet and tap dancer, and he insisted on making this a tap scene, and also on using the original Cats backing track rather than the souped-up version the director wanted. In short, this is the one scene that was choreographed by someone who knew what they were doing.

[@explorer47422]

You can't tap dance out of tempo, Tom didn't have much of a choice if this was to be a tap number.

[@elysemeyers1256]

The dancers basically said “just play the click track. We know what we’re doing”

[@sadeknight9112]

@@explorer47422 the cockroaches in Gumbie Cat did their damndest to tap off beat. No sacrilege escaped this movie.

[@joshuastuart6776]

This cat is like the only character that seems like he enjoys his life and that he’s already living nice so why does he even want to go to the Heaviside Layer

[@elrapido5150]

His train has gone everywhere it can go. Skimbleshanks - cat, conductor, and conqueror - desires new frontiers.

[@shadowhound5113]

He doesn’t he is just there to show off.

[@franziskasanders3943]

He doesn't really in the musical. It was changed in the movie cause for no reason

[@jalifritz8033]

He is an old cat in the Musical.

[@ChasehaWing]

I don't think half of the cats really want to goto the heaven side layer, at least, not now. They want it because it's the highest honor one could achieve, but most are content as they are now. But Skimbleshanks also might want to go later, and having an amazing standing now will probably help with that.

[@danielgreen6523]

did anyone else notice the best scenes in this movie are the parts they didn't change massively from the stage version?

[@CeltycSparrow]

I have seen both versions, and I DID notice that too. This scene in particular, seems almost BETTER than the original. It has energy and passion and his tap-work and singing is amazing. I also liked Gus's moment. Not AS good as Sir David, of course....but still, Ian McKellan had heart. Idris Elba as Macavity was just...he was good when he was wearing clothes. He was creepy. Then they did that RIDICULOUS song with him and Taylor Swift, and its like someone saw how wild the makeup and hair for Macavity was in the original, and they were like "No....let's NOT give the kiddies nightmares again. Just COMPLETELY IGNORE that he's supposed to be a GINGER CAT who is very tall and thin, and instead, paint him the same color as Idris Elba, give him magic green eyes, and call it done. He looked like a naked Idris Elba dancing with her. And don't EVEN get me started on Jennyanydots and Old Deuteronomy and Tugger. lol

[@ichwilldaslebenausihmficke4632]

The actor is an excellent tap dancer! ❤

[@TiaMitra]

He’s Steven McRae of the Royal opera. Principle ballet dancer and professional tap dancer. He did the Mad(tapper) hatter in the Royal Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland. Isn’t he amazing ?

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

@@TiaMitra He's friggin awesome

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

@@TiaMitra Yes I just watched the vid of his Mad Hatter performance with the Royal Ballet. Apparently it was a really hard role as the choreography continually switches styles between ballet and tap. It was hilarious watching him at rehearsals muttering to himself "Ballet!" (switch) "Tap!" (switch) "Ballet!" (switch) "Tap!" (switch) But he pulled it off beautifully, bless his heart.

[@faebrookeglen5169]

The best performance of the movie. I could sit and watch Skimbleshanks clickity click down a rail all day. Fantastic performance by Steven McRae!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

Wrong. It’s not the best performance of the movie, it’s the only good part of the movie. You know as well as I do that this movie was a fucking abomination that somehow makes the Star Wars sequels look awesome, even though they weren’t.

[@otterzrkuhl]

We’re all here after the sideways video let’s be honest...

[@jbvader721]

Yep. I just hope he has some good blood pressure medication. Poor guy was on the verge of having an aneurysm.

[@qi5vy]

How they incorporated Steven Mcrae’s tap dancing skills into this scene is just magical. ❤

[@animetrashamvs]

I don’t like Cats (musical or movie) but I do like tap dancing, trains, and actual cats so this number had me smiling! Also he made his tap dancing sound like a steam engine gaining speed…that’s just awesome.

[@chiaisannoying]

Sounds like you’d enjoy the 1998 skimbleshanks lol

[@andrewcrumb8027]

That's my favorite song in this movie, because I love trains.

[@usuariodesconocidoi]

*gets inmediately hit by train*

[@andrewcrumb8027]

​@@usuariodesconocidoi Are you making fun of me?

[@tankunicorn134]

@@andrewcrumb8027 naw i think they’re just jokin, this is my favorite too, i love how they didn’t absolutely destroy this scene, but the original will always be the best. (besides the tap dancing part, that slaps)

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@tankunicorn134 Well, that's a relief. FernM thought I was doing the "I Like Trains" gag from the asdfmovie videos.

[@leahkeegan5700]

This is the the defying gravity of this movie.

[@mvlfoyedits.7379]

Steven mcrae is probably my fave tap dancer

[@OfficialMarygraceBuckner]

I wish they did the stage version with this music. I love the costumes in the 1999 stage film. And I think the movie would of been better instead of this CGI

[@rokzila]

No

[@GilesArt]

I think the worst part is that there's no excuse for costumes not working. There's some amazing setmakers and makeup folks around, and the studio could have saved MILLIONS doing it how you're proposing -- and for a better and more profitable product, no less!! - The 1998 movie took about 17/18 days to film, was direct-to-video, and has a massive massive cult following to this day. Less is more!

[@isellmisfortune586]

For me to sing along to~ Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat, the Cat of the Railway Train There's a whisper down the line at eleven thirty-nine When the Night Mail's ready to depart Saying, "Skimble, where is Skimble? Has he gone to hunt the thimble? We must find him or the train can't start" All the guards and all the porters And the station master's daughters Would be searching high and low Saying "Skimble where is Skimble for unless he's very nimble Then the night mail just can't go." At eleven forty-two with the signal overdue And the passengers all frantic to a man That's when I would appear and I'd saunter to the rear I'd been busy in the luggage van! Then he gave one flash of his glass-green eyes And the signal went "All Clear!" They'd be off at last to the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere! Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat The Cat of the Railway Train You might say that by and large it was me who was in charge Of the Sleeping Car Express From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards I would supervise them all more or less Down the corridor he paces and examines all the faces Of the travellers in the first and the third He established control by a regular patrol And he'd know at once if anything occurred He would watch you without winking and he saw what you were thinking And it's certain that he didn't approve Of hilarity and riot so that folk were very quiet When Skimble was about and on the move You could play no pranks with Skimbleshanks! He's a cat that couldn't be ignored So nothing went wrong on the Northern Mail When Skimbleshanks was aboard It was very pleasant when they'd found their little den With their name written up on the door And the berth was very neat with a newly folded sheet And not a speck of dust upon the floor There was every sort of light You could make it dark or bright And a button you could turn to make a breeze And a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in And a crank to shut the window should you sneeze Then the guard looked in politely and would ask you very brightly, "Do you like your morning tea weak or strong?" But I was just behind him and was ready to remind him For Skimble won't let anything go wrong When they crept into their cosy berth and pulled up the counterpane They all could reflect that it was very nice To know that they wouldn't be bothered by mice They can leave all that to the Railway Cat The Cat of the Railway Train

[@kaysmith8992]

Musical easter egg at 3:17 - the rhythm is taken from "He Whistled at Me" in _Starlight Express._

[@TiaMitra]

Steven McRae FTW!! He’s so underrated omg.

[@dandyandy1252]

To be honest this is one of the coolest songs from the movie personally my favorite. The backgrounds are so pretty and the actor that plays Skimbleshanks sounds amazing and I love it very much. He did an amazing job at playing this character. They did justice for this character and I appreciate it a lot.

[@mattb8754]

I think this is the only number in this version that isn't absolutely horrendous. It's actually good.

[@keararanck176]

Love his Michael Flattley moment.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Pshaw, don't even mention Steven McRae and Michael Flatley in the same breath. Unlike MF, Steven is actually a kind and decent man who is humble, loves his wife and kids and respects his colleagues.

[@user-zm2fw9vb3m]

This is a wonderful number. The great dancers Steven and Robbie sing very good.

[@hanihani2472]

3:16 djdbjs I love this part so much

[@springheartedtiger]

I want to see Francesca in a movie that will earn a golden globe, along with the tap dancer

[@mrpanicattack6688]

4:03 I died when that mice shouted "Skiiiimbleee!" Hahaha! 😂😂😂 When I first saw this, I can't tell who said "Skimble" and "cat!" 😲 I had to watch it again and realize it was the mice haha! I felt like the proportion of the mice should be larger, they're just too small.

[@scoutart1508]

Good thing that they didn’t went closeup to the mouse/rat face, right ?

[@ryanstauffer119]

While I knew a mouse shouted “Cats!”, I didn’t think he shouted “Skimble!” I thought one of the cats said to the other “Get off!” I didn’t even notice the mouse was in that room. I thought he was only in the hallway. Thank you for noticing that.

[@julistarling8382]

The costumes and the fur are so *very* much better done in at least most of the stage productions. On the other hand, to the poster who said, "nothing weird or gross happens", well, yes, you're right, there is that. This particular piece is probably one of the few that are more in keeping with the original tone, quality and style of the stage play. They at least managed to make it upbeat and cheerful instead of boring or frustrating or annoying or depressing or miserable (all of which would have been horrible for this piece). Does this mean that there is at least one thing the movie got right? Sort of. I like their sun symbol as part of the set (sort of a Louis the Sun King cat style thing). I do like a few things about this movie. But it just does not have the pure enchantment and magic of the stage version. Granted that some things are just too good to mess with but I do think that they *could* really have messed with it *better* than that. If, that is, they knew *how*.

[@DanielEspinosa-xl4fc]

Soy un gato maquinistaaaaaa, me gustan los trenes, me gusta la pista

[@eduardogarcescabezuelo8872]

Soy un gato maquinista , voy por los raíles fuera de mi vista !!!

[@elgalor]

soy el gato makinista, me gustan los trenes me gusta la pista soy el gato maquinista apartaos de mi vista poque voy por la pista lol xd

[@sararubicubi]

+1

[@freeagentca]

Woo woo!!! 3:24 this makes me smile :)

[@sophovot5079]

this kinda does slap, wish there wasn't a two minute tap break in the middle but other than that

[@tessarobins2451]

Ah, but the two minute tap break imitating a train starting up is kind of fun. It's just ruined by the fact that all the songs in the film were interrupted by some bullshit or other, normally in the form of Rebel Wilson.

[@shadowhound5113]

For the soundtrack they cut off about a minute from the tap dancing and it sounds better. Basically the train starts faster.

[@unrellated]

Behold, the only part of this movie that achieves at least a status of "half decent". But in all seriousness, if anyone ever tries to make another movie out of this musical, I strongly suggest going with a similar route Disney did with their quote-unquote "live action" remake of The Lion King. Or better yet, just go full cartoon.

[@booplesnootbunny]

The author of the poems actually turned down Disney since he didnt want it to become a cartoon, so I think the best option would be to redo the 1998 film as it was just in higher quality or do the Disney-live-action-esque method (?)

[@acsound]

@@booplesnootbunny It's too bad that Eliot didn't want a Disney cartoon of Cats; I'd think that a solid musical w/anthro cats featuring Pete as Old Deuteronomy (voiced by Jim Cummings) would be boss. ASIDE: What's with these British writers hating cartoons...? Though at least Eliot turned Disney down. Travers--who *had* to know the Walt's claim to fame--agreed to a movie adaption w/him *anyway*.

[@calvinchannel5624]

Amazing song i can't stop singing to this amazing song and i love the movie

[@peppers4zeze532]

¡Mirad! ¡Es el gato maquinista!

[@arichan6550]

Me gustan los trenes, me gusta la pista

[@missymonkey]

I'm a huge fan of Steven McRae and he's the only reason I even went to see this movie an I was relieved at how good his part turned out. i had no doubt he could deliver! If you wanna see him do more taping/ballet mix just search for Alices in Wonderland Royal Ballet Mad Hatter and there he is in all his brilliant form.

[@Fivreld]

having literally just seen this film for the first time two days ago, it's nice to see how other people also thought this scene was the best part of this hideous film

[@Dancingwolf325]

Dude this actor isn't really an actor, he's a professional dancer. He also is dancing on a healed broken tendon in his foot. I think he's the only professional cancer in this movie.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Which is probably why it's the only decent scene in the movie. Steven McRae is a professional dancer and so actually knew what a dance number should look like.

[@HK23783]

Francesca is also also professional dancer. If I remember correctly, she is in The Royal Ballet just like Steven

[@caseylochridge]

This was the only part of the movie that got somewhat enjoyable.

[@justsayin5609]

Have been watching many of the tunes of this version of CATS. A lifelong fan of the original, seeing it numerous times both in the theatre and here on YT. Most have been a disappointment. This one however is brilliant!

[@LauraVIGNON-zn3vo]

Troisième chanson préférée avec victoria et mistoffelees 😊😊run run trigger mon prince charmant chat❤❤

[@PrinceFlynnRider]

If you had gone to this movie expecting to be scared shitless nonstop for an hour and forty minutes, and I mean nonstop, you would have thought it was the greatest, most genius piece of filmmaking ever produced.

[@seshirumakara2594]

Fun Fact! The actor who plays Skimbleshanks (Steven McRae) also played the Mad Hatter in the Royal Ballet production of Alice in Wonderland - and there’s a clip of that performance available on KZbin if anyone’s interested. It’s the one which combines Ballet and Tap dancing for the Character of The Hatter, and I’d definitely recommend anyone who liked this to go watch it. Also another fun fact: Steven is Australian (another talented win for us in Down Under lol)

[@explorer47422]

2:50 he has a moustache 2:52 no moustache

[@selkie630]

Without a doubt the best dance/song in the movie. I watched the movie out of morbid curiosity and agreed with the critics that it is pretty awful .. till this came on, I was memorized and still am ... Bravo Steven McRae ... Bra-fucking-o

[@misssparkles7520]

so a little ray of ssublime sunshine in an other wise dreadful movie. Steven is just amazing, not in the Royal Opera as written below but he is a Principle dancer with the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and yes the man can tap ...wow, however this movie, he has stated didnt help his achilles and on stage at the Opera house a few months later his achilles snapped mid performance, he was screaming in agony and was told it was very unlikely he would ever dance again. however along with his team of surgeons, doctors ,physio and coaches he has just returned late last year after (2021) virtutally not dancing since this movie. to me it would have been a crime if this was his 'last dance ' so to speak, but the Man is a courageous Lion and is back having danced several works at the Opera house and is off to Japan to perform the Mad hatter again,. we are lucky to still have his talent on stage,

[@anthonyandino6069]

omg.. this whole movie is messed up.. I only give it 1 good thing, allowing me to watch the 1998 version more

[@northnick3317]

You could be Lovecraft's most horrendous creation, but if you can tap dance this well, you're my friend :)

[@sarah-eom]

Legendary!

[@lam92223]

my main problem with this is the ration, their size comparing to objects. sometimes they are size of real cats, and sometimes...ant?

[@matthewselby4524]

1:17 suddenly Rusty: (startled) oh uh, (calls back) right away (to his carriage) come on carries (a Boston & Albany d10 shape he’s in pulls away) Skimbkeshanks: (suddenly slip spins) WOAH OOF (realises) what the? He opens the door to see rusty speeding against greaseball & Electra, the former had kidnapped Pearl & the latter has Dinah furious at him) Skimbleshanks: (realises) STARLIGHT EXPREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS (a blue version of the train from Edward’s story appears & startled everyone who didn’t believe it’s existence , but care a a lot & big apple city teams thrive in, lightening rusty’s load for Percy to bring post

[@jessyca_zander]

"I like trains."

[@rokzila]

Third fav scene

[@funkymonkey1167]

Cool

[@koppunch]

El gato maquinista en tus sueños

[@meghnagj1848]

We have this poem in our 9th grade literature textbook.

[@vidaldesiree]

I like this,.. I suppose it’s great.🎉❤

[@shark180]

I feel like this was filmed as a demo to show the studio heads, that Cat's might actually be good. Then the rest of the movie was barfed up.

[@idawik7126]

I like cats

[@charlotte-lh5gd]

The Cat Of The Railway Train Cats Movie SceneScreen United KINGDOM.

[@calvinchannel5624]

I love the song and the movie

[@mordexthewolf6090]

When we go instinct then god makea these guys

[@jamesmcnaught4547]

OMG 😲 😱 😲 😱 😲 😱

[@satu_5495]

hackstore has a movie cats

[@user-ex5tb2qp8m]

みんな「この映画の中で唯一良い場面」 言うてて草

[@hoonhoon8773]

재밌내요

[@deisyelizabethaguado3317]

Es la mejore música

[@dorisdestler50]

Who's singing skimbleshanks? Was that steven?

[@mycatateit284]

why does it keep stopping

[@angeimer4276]

uhhhhh, el putisimo gato maquinista?

[@soulbound2]

WHY ARE THERE BOTS

[@Harry-cy5vz]

I wonder

[@jorgelorenzo3778]

😃😀👍❤😀 cats👈👍 samuel

[@happydays0220]

☀️

[@jaybonn5973]

how does anyone do 13/8 wtf.... 123 123 123 12 12

[@Onih]

I don't remember this scene

[@datatsushi2016]

Directed by Tobe Hooper

[@christinehaworth4924]

Much prefer the stage version. The movie version is totally lacking in any atmosphere.

[@Atheaterkid]

what did they do to him why does he look like that

[@KartaviyYT]

what cats

[@Od3Mery]

I must confess I had never seen Cats before this film. Me and my three boys - we simply adore the film with all its tails and whiskers (flaws and finests)! Skimbleshanks was a gem, and so was Rum-Tum Tugger. Tbh, the actual musical from London was slightly a disappointment. Maybe it was the venue (arena not areal theater), or maybe it was bc we’ve already fallen in love with the real cattiness in this movie - the fake furs on top of the actors in the musical just… didn’t look visually as good. Oh, and Deuteronomy! In the film it’s Dame Judi Dench, an irreplaceable character. And in the musical - a man I’ve never heard of. To each as their own - the Music. So thank You, Andrew Lloyd Webber: this is a real ear candy ❤.

[@annedavis3340]

How interesting. I've never been to a live play and come away disappointed the actors weren't famous enough. I am much much more annoyed by stunt castings than a lack of them.

[@jadrankaradej1928]

Im a cat

[@julistarling8382]

It's honestly not that bad if you just listen. Their singing is brilliant. ^__^ But their Skimbleshanks looks (and also sort of acts) like a human train conductor with a cat tail and cat ears. Really? Seriously? Yes. Seriously. Oh, c'mon. Did he *really need* to have a mustache??? Oh, please. The movie of Les Mis is a lot more true to the stage musical than this is. And it's only about maybe 50/60% true to it. Whereas this is like, what, about 10 or 15%? Sigh. 😕😞😌😕😞 I'm just saying.

[@xanmontes8715]

Mustache

[@dahyimi2185]

What on earth?! I'd heard the film was sacrilegious but, but... For the musical they've been using awesome costumes and make up for decades, and they make a film with LOUSY CGI?!! What was the point of this film anyway? You can get great recordings of the musical on DVD.

[@MsHillbillychick]

I'll stick to the original

[@stormywetter8813]

The only good song from that dumpster fire

[@wolfieisacat13]

This song…. I have mixed feelings. It certainly did better than the other songs in comparison to ‘98 (rest in peace, mr. Mistoffoles), but it…. It’s still bad having been programmed for “SKIIIIMBLE SHAAAANKS THEEEEE RAIIIL WAYYY CATT!!” With everyone in the ensemble singing, and skimble having such a heavy irish/scottish (idk) accent and it’s….. how do i put this…. If you haven’t watched ‘98, it’s good. But i have, so…

[@marawe1292]

Suicido the suicide-cat

[@cooliokid9906]

This movie is why the corona virus happened

[@datatsushi2016]

The Lighthouse too

[@jennifer5512]

The only good scene in the movie.

[@viethanguyenvietha4258]

Rõ h mẹ y nljh

[@johnbennett6826]

one of the biggest flops this version of cats

[@jazsebastian]

WOW so bad, like the worst cgi and lighting I've ever seen, this is just plain creepy. The stuff of nightmares truly...

[@snappedaway1102]

What and the shit is this

[@davidmcaninch4714]

The only half decent part of this abomination.

[@havehope646]

Spread the gospel jesus DIED for us so repent and spread the word of God

[@vidaldesiree]

I like this,.. I suppose it’s great.🎉❤