The Cat and the Canary (1978)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Fantastic!

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Spoilers, perhaps.What I found to be quite off-putting was the incestuous relationships of the cousins. All the male cousins dated Carol Lynley at one time in the past and Olivia Hussey and Honor Blackman have a homo-erotic type relationship as well, with Olivia playing the lipstick lesbian and Honor the butch. And no one even bats an eye about it all. Now I've never been to Britain but I can't imagine the single's pool is so dry one has to give a cousin a call.This film is a remake of an old stage play and it clearly has the stage setting: one location and an assortment of characters spending the entire evening there. Descendents of Cyrus West (Hyde-White) gather at his estate twenty years after his death to hear his will read by none other than Mr. West himself. Cyrus recorded himself before his death so he could call all his descendants a bunch of lecherous bastards--which he does often. One of the six relatives gathered at the house will inherit his fortune but if said individual doesn't survive the night or is deemed insane, everything goes to the next in line, who Cyrus will reveal in the morning.The plot thickens when a doctor from an insane asylum (Fox) visits warning the relatives of a homicidal maniac who believes himself a cat on the prowl. When Carol Lynley is awarded the inheritance, relatives become quite charming towards her again but all could be plotting her demise. But with the maniac hiding out inside the mansion, they may not have to plot too heavily for the cat-man may make Miss Lynley's evening her last.STORY: $$ (I fail to see why this stageplay was made for the screen as many times as it was. The entire twist ending is all but revealed when the insane asylum doctor shows up to issue his warning. He knows far too much about Cyrus' descendants than a person should. It doesn't take a seasoned mystery buff to pick up on the fact he is more than he lets on. Also the "kissing cousins" thing was off-putting and the attempts at comedy seemed too forced. They seemed like perfect antics for Bob Hope (who starred in the 1939 version) and not these actors).ACTING: $$$$ (The acting is top notch even if the screenplay isn't. Everyone does a fine job. I thoroughly enjoyed the cameo of Wilfird Hyde-White as the eccentric Cyrus West. He belittles his relatives from beyond the grave, calling them all leeches. Carol Lynley is in fine form as winner of the inheritance. Michael Callan does a good job as the only descendant of Cyrus who isn't a fixture in the papers. Wendy Hiller, as Cyrus' lawyer, was difficult to understand at times given her thick British accent. Olivia Hussey is marvelous as the aloof descendant who plays the doe-eyed dame bit perfectly. And Peter McEnery shines as Charlie the pseudo war hero. Seems he trumped up his war record to impress ol' Cyrus).NUDITY: None. There is plenty titillation however. Carol Lynley in her lowcut nighty, showing off as much cleavage as modesty will allow. There is also a homo-erotic lesbian scene when Honor rubs down Olivia Hussey in bed. They may not be kissing cousins but they sure are touch-and-rub-in-your-nighty cousins).

Divine little "killer-on-the-loose-inside-the-creepy-mansion" thriller as someone supposedly from an insane asylum will perhaps harm a group of cousins, hoping for an inheritance from dear Cyrus West(Wilfrid Hyde-White, simply marvelous in his limited screen time), who stay the night in his eerie large residence, filled with secret passage-ways. Annabelle West(Carol Lynley)is the official heiress to the fortune and mansion because of her being the next in line by name. But, stipulations regarding her getting the money come with receiving the inheritance news..if she is proved to be insane..or murdered..after that night, the next in line to the fortune will get it. When Cyrus' lawyer, and preparer of the will, Allison Crosby(Wendy Hiller;simply wonderful when on screen)is viciously killed, Annabelle is in fear for her life for anyone amongst them has reason for perhaps using blood shed if it means gaining a fortune.A great cast, macabre sense of humor, and stylish direction really works wonders off of your basic drawing-room, Agatha Christie mystery. The house is a delightfully ominous setting and such spirited, game performances really works wonders in the setting. Edward Fox has a great entrance, through a window no less, as a flamboyant "asylum doctor" who informs the cast of the escaped loony who has fashioned a likeness with a cat, creating claws and such to heighten the effect. Beatrix Lehmann also has a memorable role as the quiet and oddball Mrs. Pleasant, a maid for Cyrus West who often is seen sneaking around corners and entering situations after something important to the plot has taken place. Carol Lynley as the heiress is simply radiant and charming..also having sparkling chemistry with American cousin, songwriter Paul(Michael Callan)who becomes the unlikely hero. Mustn't forget Honor Blackman as the scheming Susan, trying to push Annabelle over the edge while the simply beautiful Olivia Hussey(it was quite hard for me not to drool she's so lovely) is perhaps her lover(it's hinted at mainly when they insist on sharing a room together in such a large place full of empty rooms) Cicily Young who hopes to possibly inherit the money herself. Daniel Massey is Harry, a man who had gained quite a bit of wealth through corrupt business practices while Peter McEnery is the homosexual bit actor/double Charlie, who was quite "close" to Cyrus and favored by the old man. Some of the ugly stuff(despicable slow death of Crosby by the killer(s); possible unsavory activities in one of Cyrus' secret rooms no one accept a select few knew about)is subtly hinted at in key moments of dialogue. A ton of fun, colorful, and at times quite spooky.

This film version of greedy relatives gathering for the reading of a will has been crucified in some corners as a pale shadow of the original, or if not the original the Bob Hope version. While certainly no classic this is a fun retelling of the story that works because the cast is so enjoyable to watch and because the old story works even if its done half way decently.This was the first version of the story that I ever saw. Endless reruns on HBO years ago have burned portions of this film into my mind, but I didn't mind since the film was just a good time passer.No, its not perfect. The 1970's retro feel that it has doesn't really work and makes the film feel like it doesn't belong anywhere. There were several films in the 1970's set in the 20's, 30's or 40's that suffered similar fates, particularly if they had any European connections. This is not the place to discuss it, but when you see this film you'll understand what I mean. And you should see this since its good but far from great. Is this the version if you can only see one go at the story? No, that would probably be the Bob Hope version, but if you want something for a rainy Sunday that won't tax the brain, this is it.7 out of 10 on the pure enjoyment scale.

Some truly scary moments, but the sadism is gratuitous. The cast is fine, but the sentimental closing montage of cast credits is ludicrous given the violent film which has just preceded it. Basically, this is an unnecessary remake which should never have been made. Waste of a fine cast, including Wilfrid Hyde-White as the sadistic patriarch whose will is designed to trigger the bloodletting that ensues; Dame Wendy Hiller as the lawyer who meets a particularly gruesome fate; Honor Blackman and Olivia Hussey as a lesbian couple; and Carol Lynley as the film's ingenue.