The Cat and the Canary 1927

Overview

The Cat and the Canary is a 1927 American silent comedy horror film directed by Paul Leni, and it is an adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name. The film stars Laura La Plante as Annabelle West, Forrest Stanley as Charlie Wilder, and Creighton Hale as Paul Jones, alongside Tully Marshall. Relatives of an eccentric millionaire gather at a haunted, spooky mansion on the twentieth anniversary of his death for the reading of his will. During this gathering, the sole heir is threatened by a clause that could disinherit her if she goes mad, all while a homicidal maniac escapes nearby. The production was released in the United States on September 9, 1927, has a runtime of one hour and twenty-four minutes, and falls under the comedy, horror, and mystery genres. The film was produced by Paul Kohner, with a screenplay based on John Willard's play, titles by Walter Anthony, and adaptation by Alfred A. Cohn.