The Cat and the Canary

1927
PG
1h 48m

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Laura La Plante in The Cat and the Canary (1927)

Relatives of an eccentric millionaire gather in his spooky mansion on the 20th anniversary of his death for the reading of his will.Relatives of an eccentric millionaire gather in his spooky mansion on the 20th anniversary of his death for the reading of his will.Relatives of an eccentric millionaire gather in his spooky mansion on the 20th anniversary of his death for the reading of his will.

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IMDb RATING

7.0/10

3.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

User reviews63

Featured review

8/10

Amazing "Old Dark House" film

"The Cat and the Canary" has been considered a masterpiece, and that the film is still known today is a feat in itself. It is easily my favorite silent film. Paul Leni (the director) has a great deal of prowess on films like these, and it has been admitted by others.

First, the sets are realistic, making this film a believable "journey back in time" (it was made over 70 yrs. ago). I am shocked to hear one reviewer say this film as broadly acted and visually stunted. The sets are marvelous, especially the drawing room (it looks very nice to be part of a "haunted house"). The camera work (ex. the skeleton double-exposure, the subtitles occasionally moving like a ghost) is very enjoyable, too.

About the acting, first get this straight: Much of the acting is quite normal. But in the fright scenes (especially by Laura La Plante), the acting has nothing wrong with it. Much of it is very funny (contrary to common belief). Flora Finch (Aunt Susan) is funny as the gossiper, and Creighton Hale as Paul is cute. Why do most of you find the broad acting painful to watch? If you can't find silent films enjoyable, all I can tell you is, tough luck. Classic films are as a general rule better than the new ones, but even new films can be very good.

Leahcurry
Apr 14, 2000
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Storyline

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Trivia
Writer/director Robert F. Hill not only wrote the adaptation for this film but also served as a sort of assistant/associate director for Paul Leni. Leni, a German, didn't speak much English, and Hill spoke German, so he acted as a liaison between Leni and the cast and crew.

Goofs
As Tully Marshall's dead body falls to the floor, the actor can be clearly seen extending his hands to break the fall.

Quotes
Roger Crosby: I have come to read the will of Cyrus West. Have any of the heirs arrived yet?
Mammy Pleasant: No, Mr. Crosby.
Roger Crosby: You must have been lonely here these twenty years, Mammy Pleasant.
Mammy Pleasant: I don't need the living ones.

Crazy credits
The ending cast list includes the following statement: "This is repeated at the request of picture patrons who desire to check the names of those players whose work has pleased them."

Alternate versions
Kino International distributed a video with the original 1927 musical setting compiled by James Bradford and adapted and performed by Eric Beheim and "The Cyrus West Players." It was produced by David Shepard using film materials from the David Bradley collection, and copyrighted in 1997 by Film Preservation Associates. The running time was 82 minutes.