The Cat and the Canary (1979 film)

The Cat and the Canary
Original film poster
Directed by	Radley Metzger
Produced by	Richard Gordon
Written by	John Willard (playwright) Radley Metzger (screenwriter)
Starring	Honor Blackman Michael Callan Edward Fox Wendy Hiller Olivia Hussey Wilfred Hyde-White Beatrix Lehmann Carol Lynley Daniel Massey Peter McEnery
Music by	Steven Cagan
Cinematography	Alex Thomson
Edited by	Roger Harrison
Distributed by	Grenadier Films
Release date	November 1978 (1978)
Running time	98 minutes

The Cat and the Canary is a British mystery horror comedy film directed by Radley Metzger released in 1978. It is the fourth film adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name, following the versions from 1927, 1930 and 1939.

Plot

On the 20th anniversary of his death, the remaining relatives of Cyrus West (Wilfred Hyde-White) are called to his mansion to view the filmed reading of his will. Cyrus lets it be known how much he despised and loathed his kin by setting up a dogfight for the fortune and revealing that Annabelle West (Carol Lynley) is to be the sole beneficiary. However, to claim the inheritance, Annabelle must spend the night in the house with the rest of the family and be deemed sane the next morning.

A doctor from the asylum up the road, Dr Hendricks (Edward Fox), arrives and informs the guests that a homicidal maniac has escaped and is hiding out in the area. With a history of insanity in the family, a mansion replete with secret rooms and corridors, and "The Cat" murderer on the loose, the night becomes a tale of gruesome murders, suspense, and, ultimately, revelations.

Cast

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: The Cat and the Canary (1979 film)

• The Cat and the Canary at MUBI (related to The Criterion Collection)
• The Cat and the Canary on IMDb
• The Cat and the Canary at AllMovie
• The Cat and the Canary (1979) [complete film (01:30:40)]