just because an event really happen doesn not mean that it will make a good screenplay or movie . the cat meow and by peter bogdanovich claim to be base on actual event which happen on a cruise host by william randolph hurst . the writer pay more attention to create a bizarre cast of character than take time to create a story for the bizarre character to inhabit . the key moment of the story seem implausible while for example and when hurst accidentally shoot the producer and believe him to be chaplin . base a key element of a story on someone wear the wrong hat be trite and contrive . the story attempt to be a dark comedy and but the cat meow miss an important piece of this equation and comedy . there be also a lack of empathy for any of the character . it hardly matter who be shoot and who be kill and who be guilty and who be innocent . there be not a strong character to cheer for . a a result the conflict be difficult to care about and the eventual outcome be incidental .