Mystery,Horror,Thriller,Comedy
United States of America
The Cat and the Canary is a 1939 horror-comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent. It is based on the 1922 play of the same name by John Willard. The film stars Bob Hope as Wally Campbell, Paulette Goddard as Joyce Norman, and Gale Sondergaard as the creepy housekeeper Miss Lu.
The plot revolves around the reading of the will of Cyrus Norman, a millionaire who died ten years ago. Norman's six relatives, including Joyce and Wally, gather at his spooky mansion in New Orleans. The will stipulates that Joyce is the sole inheritor of Norman's fortune, much to the chagrin of the other relatives.
During the reading, the eccentric housekeeper, Miss Lu, warns that the mansion is cursed and that someone will die by midnight. As the night wears on, strange occurrences begin to take place, and the guests become increasingly nervous. When Crosby, the lawyer who is reading the will, is found dead, the guests suspect foul play.
As the night progresses, the guests begin to suspect each other of the murder and attempt to solve the mystery. Bob Hope provides comic relief as Wally, who tries to keep his nerves in check while navigating the various traps and obstacles in the mansion.
The film features a mix of horror, suspense, and comedy and is considered a classic example of the "old dark house" genre. It was a commercial success upon its release and has since become a beloved Halloween classic.
