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The Cat and the Canary

Play trailer Poster for The Cat and the Canary 1927 1h 15m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
The relatives of Cyrus West gather at his estate on the 20th anniversary of his death to hear the reading of his will. Annabelle West (Laura La Plante) is named the heir to Cyrus' fortune, under the condition that she is declared sane by a doctor (Lucien Littlefield). Later in the evening, the family is informed that a dangerously insane man known at "the Cat" is on the loose in the area. When Cyrus' lawyer (Tully Marshall) is found dead, Annabelle fears she is the next target.

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The Cat and the Canary

The Cat and the Canary

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Critics Consensus

Bringing its sturdy setup thrillingly to life, The Cat and the Canary proves Paul Leni a director with a deft hand for suspenseful stories and expertly assembled ensembles.

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Critics Reviews

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David Mermelstein Wall Street Journal Oct 30, 2025
The film’s comedy won’t appeal to all tastes, but some will welcome the leavening effect it has on the movie’s more frightening aspects. Go to Full Review Clayton Dillard Slant Magazine Oct 27, 2025
Paul Leni translates expressionism into an American register with such verve that The Cat and the Canary still appears visually distinctive today. Go to Full Review Anton Bitel Little White Lies Apr 11, 2024
With plenty of trickery and treachery on screen to match the inventive artifice of the film itself, this is a stylised succession saga of murder and madness, and a romantic melodrama with claws. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Video Librarian Magazine Jun 29, 2025
4/4
Eminently enjoyable, wildly influential picture that marked the start of [Paul Leni's] brief, but brilliant English-language career. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 28, 2024
3.5/4
Director Paul Leni does everything in his power to make the story pop, from the shot selections to the title cards. Go to Full Review Martin Unsworth Starburst Apr 22, 2024
5/5
Despite the familiarity of the story, this version still surprises and has some genuinely creepy moments. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Zachary V @RT80629691 Jan 24, 2023 A campy, fun horror film that certainly doesn't take itself too seriously - think Scoobie Doo done as a silent picture. See more andy f @RT81936104 Dec 29, 2020 After a dazzling opening few minutes, this fades into a rather tedious whodunit (or who's going to do it). There are far better silent movies from this period. Just a few years later The Old Dark House would show exactly how to do it! See more Oct 26, 2019 Great acting and an interesting plot twist. The hidden figure's outreached hand is terrifying in this silent feature See more Thomas M @TMProofreader Jan 27, 2019 The best thrilling movie ever made! See more Richard S @IneffableJoy Oct 30, 2018 Creaky but adorable. See more Apr 25, 2015 ok silent version of this 4x filmed tale See more Read all reviews
The Cat and the Canary

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Leni

Director

Laura La Plante

Annabelle West

Creighton Hale

Paul Jones

Forrest Stanley

Charles Wilder

Tully Marshall

Roger Crosby

Flora Finch

Susan

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The Cat and the Canary

The Cat and the Canary (1927) The Cat and the Canary (1927) The Cat and the Canary (1927) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The relatives of Cyrus West gather at his estate on the 20th anniversary of his death to hear the reading of his will. Annabelle West (Laura La Plante) is named the heir to Cyrus' fortune, under the condition that she is declared sane by a doctor (Lucien Littlefield). Later in the evening, the family is informed that a dangerously insane man known at "the Cat" is on the loose in the area. When Cyrus' lawyer (Tully Marshall) is found dead, Annabelle fears she is the next target.
Director
Paul Leni
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 9, 1927, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 8, 2017
Runtime
1h 15m
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