Hollywood, 1961 — the day bad luck lined up for an audition

Exactly 152 black cats stood shoulder to shoulder on North Bronson Avenue, each waiting for a chance at movie stardom. The role?
A “sagacious black cat” in Roger Corman’s Tales of Terror — the Edgar Allan Poe classic starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone.

Photographer Ralph Crane from LIFE Magazine captured the surreal scene — a sidewalk crawling with sleek black fur and hopeful owners clutching leashes, each praying their feline would catch the director’s eye.
It was called “the biggest invitation to bad luck ever seen.”

The judges searched for the “meanest-looking” cat — the one that could embody Poe’s shadowy spirit.
Some were disqualified on the spot for white paws or too-friendly faces.
Vincent Price himself even played with a few — because, of course, who better to test their sinister charm?

And yet… the twist was pure Hollywood irony. The starring role had already been cast.
A professionally trained black cat was chosen long before any of the 152 ever showed up.

Seven “understudy” cats were picked for publicity — the rest went home, owners slightly embarrassed but convinced their cats were destined for greatness somewhere else.

What remains is a hauntingly beautiful slice of film history —
a photograph of 152 black cats waiting for their big break, unaware that luck — and casting decisions — had already been made.

Sometimes in Hollywood, even black cats can’t catch a break.