Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘The Cat and the Canary’?

The Cat and the Canary (1927)

My Rating

Movie Info

Frank Willard's barn-storming stage melodrama Cat and the Canary was filmed four times over a fifty-year period. This silent 1927 version stars Laura LaPlante as one of several potential heirs to a huge fortune. Brought to a foreboding mansion on the 20th anniversary of their eccentric benefactor's death, the heirs must sit in silence as the lawyer (Tully Marshall) recites the terms of the will. The legacy hinges upon three sealed letters, each to be opened at a strategic point in the evening.

Unrated, 1 hr. 10 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Horror

Nov 13, 1998

Universal Pictures

Cast

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

Not exactly a horror film, at least by any strict definition. But it is a great deal of fun.

September 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | Comment

Stylishly well-executed old-fashioned horror-suspense thriller that's laced with a macabre humor.

June 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Transposing the expressionist panache of Weimar cinema, Leni responded with one of the most influential classics of the Hollywood horror genre.

July 22, 2005 Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | Comment

The classic old dark house film. Still great.

November 30, 2002 Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Cat and the Canary

This isn't just one of those average murder mysteries where the family vies for the inheritance of the old man's will, it's actually got ghosts and a ghoulish hand creeping everyone out, and a guy who's on the look out for a maniac that escaped from the loony bin. This movie is creepy and funny, I enjoyed it, and I

December 23, 2010
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

An early horror-comedy that takes place in old mansion. Several people gather 20 years after a benefactor's death to hear the reading of the will to learn who will inherit the great fortune. People start dying; hilarity ensues.

September 5, 2009

The Cat and the Canary Quotes

No quotes approved yet for The Cat and the Canary. Logged in users can submit quotes.

Latest News for The Cat and the Canary

What's Hot On RT

Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus

Journey 2 Not Worth the Trip

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,600 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,514 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,198 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,694 taken
created 15 months ago

Foreign Titles

  • Spuk im Schloss (DE)
  • The Cat and the Canary (1927) (UK)
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile