The Cat and the Canary (1939)
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- Approved
- 1h 12min
- Comedy, Horror
- 10 Nov 1939 (USA)
- Movie
When an eccentric family meets in their uncle's remote, decaying mansion on the tenth anniversary of his death for the reading of his will, murder and madness follow.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Award:
- 1 win.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Bob Hope | ... |
Wally Campbell
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| Paulette Goddard | ... |
Joyce Norman
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| John Beal | ... |
Fred Blythe
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| Douglass Montgomery | ... |
Charlie Wilder
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| Gale Sondergaard | ... |
Miss Lu
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| Elizabeth Patterson | ... |
Aunt Susan
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| Nydia Westman | ... |
Cicily
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| George Zucco | ... |
Lawyer Crosby
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| John Wray | ... |
Hendricks
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| George Regas | ... |
Indian Guide
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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William Abbey | ... |
'The Cat' (uncredited)
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| Milton Kibbee | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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| Charles Lane | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Frank Melton | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Nick Thompson | ... |
Indian Guide (uncredited)
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| Chief Thundercloud | ... |
Indian Guide (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Elliott Nugent | ||
Written by
| Walter DeLeon | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Lynn Starling | ... | (screenplay) |
| John Willard | ... | (based on the stage play by) |
Produced by
| Arthur Hornblow Jr. | ... | producer |
Music by
| Ernst Toch | ... | (as Dr. Ernst Toch) |
Cinematography by
| Charles Lang | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Archie Marshek | ||
Art Direction by
| Hans Dreier | ||
| Robert Usher | ||
Set Decoration by
| A.E. Freudeman | ||
Costume Design by
| Edith Head | ||
Sound Department
| Richard Olson | ... | sound recordist |
| Philip Wisdom | ... | sound recordist |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Andrea Setaro | ... | musical advisor |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1939) (United States) (theatrical)
- Paramount Film Service (1939) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Paramount British Pictures (1939) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Paramount Film Service (1939) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Film AB Paramount (1939) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Paramount Films (1947) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2010) (United States) (DVD) (Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories Collection)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2011) (United States) (DVD) (DVD-R Universal Vault Series)
- Imprint Films (2020) (Australia) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America (approved: certificate no. 5345)
- Western Electric (mirrophonic recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Ten years have passed since the death of millionaire, Cyrus Norman. Cosby, Cyrus' attorney, has gathered Cyrus' 6 remaining relatives to his New Orleans' mansion for Cyrus' "reading of the will". To the others disappointment, Joyce is the sole heir, but, due to a streak of insanity running in the family, a second will has been made in case Joyce falls victim to it. This puts Joyce in danger. Suddenly, Miss Lu, Cyrus' maid, appears and warns them that the spirits have told her that one of them will die that night. Following this, Hendrick, a prison guard, warns them that, "The Cat", a homicidal maniac has escaped. This sets up Cyrus' relatives with a night filled with murders, mysteries and intrigue. Written by Kelly |
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| Taglines | A CHILL-AND-CHUCKLE CHASE!...A FORTUNE AT STAKE AND A MONSTER AT LARGE! (original ad - all caps) See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Elizabeth Patterson played the role of Susan in both this and the first sound version of the story, The Cat Creeps (1930). See more » |
| Goofs | When the heirs heading to the house in a boat point out a swimming alligator, protective tape is visibly wrapped around its mouth.. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Seul le cinéma (1994). See more » |
| Quotes |
Cicily:
It's awful spooky down here. Do you believe in reincarnation? Wally Campbell: Huh? Cicily: You know... that dead people come back? Wally Campbell: You mean like the Republicans? See more » |