Watch The Cat and the Canary

The Cat and the Canary is a silent horror-comedy film from 1927, directed by German filmmaker Paul Leni. Starring Laura La Plante, Creighton Hale, and Forrest Stanley, the film is based on a play of the same name written by John Willard. It is considered a classic example of the "Old Dark House" genre, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

The story revolves around a group of people who are gathered at a country estate to hear the reading of a will. The deceased, Cyrus West, was a wealthy eccentric who has left a sizable fortune to his only living relative, Annabelle West (La Plante). However, there is a catch. Before Annabelle can claim her inheritance, she must spend the night in the West mansion, which is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a madman. If she survives the night, the will is hers. If not, the fortune will go to Cyrus West's other heirs.

The atmosphere is set immediately, as the opening titles proclaim that the film takes place in "the year of the thunderstorm" and the camera zooms in on a portrait of Cyrus West with lightning flashing behind it. The scene then shifts to the train station, where the heirs and their associates are arriving. Among them is Wally (Hale), a timid young man who is clearly smitten with Annabelle.

Once they arrive at the mansion, they are greeted by the lawyer, Roger Crosby (Stanley), who lays out the rules of the will. The group includes several characters who are clearly up to no good, such as the dour housekeeper, Mammy Pleasant (Martha Mattox), and the opportunistic lawyer, Mr. Patterson (Tully Marshall).

As night falls, the storm intensifies, and strange things begin to happen in the mansion. The guests split up and explore the various rooms, which are filled with secret passages, hidden doors, and creepy decorations. The tension builds as they realize that they are not alone in the house and that someone, or something, is stalking them.

One of the highlights of the film is Laura La Plante's performance as Annabelle. She portrays the character as spunky and resourceful, even in the face of danger. She also gets to showcase her comedic side, particularly in a scene where she is chased by a skeleton.

The other actors also shine in their respective roles. Creighton Hale's Wally provides comic relief and serves as a foil for Annabelle's bravery. Forrest Stanley's Roger is a steady and reliable presence who provides a contrast to the more sinister characters. Martha Mattox's Mammy Pleasant is a memorable character who adds a touch of the macabre to the proceedings.

Director Paul Leni's use of shadows, lighting, and camera angles creates a spooky and atmospheric tone. The setting of the mansion is both elegant and eerie, with its dark corners and creaking floorboards. The musical score, composed by Hugo Riesenfeld, is also effective in creating mood and suspense.

Overall, The Cat and the Canary is a fun and spooky film that is an early example of horror-comedy. It is notable for its strong performances, inventive set design, and effective use of atmosphere. Even though it was made almost a century ago, it still holds up as an entertaining and engaging film that is worth watching for fans of classic horror.

The Cat and the Canary is a 1927 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.