The Cat and the Canary (1979 film)
| The Cat and the Canary | |
|---|---|
Original film poster
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| 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 |
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Release date
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November
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Running time
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98 minutes |
The Cat and the Canary is a 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.
Films made by Radley Metzger, the film director, are noted for their "lavish design, witty screenplays, and a penchant for the unusual camera angle", according to one film reviewer. Another film reviewer noted that Metzger's films are "highly artistic – and often cerebral ... and often featured gorgeous cinematography". Film and audio works by Metzger have been added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
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.
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