Search - The Cat and the Canary on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1978 DVD Release: 08/10/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Image Entertainment Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Comedy Thriller, Ensemble Film See Also: The Cat and the Canary, The Cat and the Canary

Frank Willard's 1927 stage play The Cat and the Canary was filmed several times before this 1978 version saw the light of day. In the story, Annabelle West (Carol Lynley) is one of several potential heirs to a huge fortune. Brought to his foreboding mansion to learn who will benefit from his death, the anxious heirs must sit still for the deceased's taped recitation of his bequests. The dead man, Cyrus West (Wilfred Hyde-White), takes advantage of the occasion to scold his greedy and unpleasant relatives. He leaves behind several posthumous practical jokes which drive his points home. It's a rainy night, the mansion is full of surprises, most of the heirs are an anxious, unpleasant lot, and at least one of them is not above committing murder to have his way. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Honor Blackman - Susan Sillsby
Michael Callan - Paul Jones
Edward Fox - Hendricks
Wendy Hiller - Allison Crosby
Olivia Hussey - Cicily Young

Radley Metzger, best known for his stylish sexploitation efforts, made a bid for mainstream success with this witty remake of the classic silent thriller, which has been given a bare-bones presentation on DVD. The Cat and the Canary has been given a letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, with the audio mastered in Dolby Digital Mono. The dialogue is in English, with no multiple language options or bonus materials included. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide