The Cat and the Canary (1939 film)
The Cat and the Canary is a 1939 American southern gothic horror comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard.[1] It is a remake of the 1927 silent film The Cat and the Canary, which was based on the 1922 play of the same name by John Willard.[2]
The Cat and the Canary
Walter de Leon
Lynn Starling
The Cat and the Canary (play)
1922 play
by John Willard
- November 10, 1939 (United States)
72 minutes
United States
English
The film's copyright was renewed in 1966.[3]
The film is set in an isolated mansion in the Louisiana bayous, a decade following the death of its original owner. His potential heirs gather for the reading of his will. His primary heiress is in danger of being murdered or driven insane by her rivals. The previous owner's mistress warns that this is a haunted house.
Critical reception[edit]
The New York Times wrote that Elliott Nugent "has directed it smartly, taking full advantage of the standard chiller devices for frightening the susceptible of his audience but never losing sight of his main objective—comedy...the objective is carried briskly and to our complete satisfaction. Good show."[4]
Variety wrote that the movie retained "the basic spooky atmosphere and chiller situations" of the original play and "will amply satisfy the mystery fans, and provide spine-chilling thrills for audiences generally."[5]
Home media[edit]
Universal Home Entertainment released the film on DVD in 2010 as part of the Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories Collection[6] and again in 2011 individually as a part of their "Universal Vault Series" on Amazon.com.[7] Kino Lorber released it on Blu-ray on September 15, 2020.[8]