Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Spikeopath The Cat and the Canary is directed by Radley Metzger who also adapts the screenplay from the play written by John Willard. It stars Honor Blackman, Michael Callan, Edward Fox, Wendy Hiller, Olivia Hussey, Wilfred Hyde-White, Carol Lynley, Beatrix Lehmann, Daniel Massey and Peter McEnery. Music is by Steven Cagan and cinematography by Alex Thomson.Ah the dark house murder mystery, sadly seeming now like a relic of our cinematic pasts. There are many to choose from for those of us who choose to go back in time and cosy up by a warm fire, with drink in hand, to involve ourselves in the standard plot formula of various folk getting bumped off by a scheming murderer during a short time period and under one roof. John Willard's The Cat and the Canary is a well mined source for such fun and fearful frolics, as of the time of writing, this 1979 version stands as the last attempt to transfer the play to the screen.There is nothing unduly bad about Metzger's movie, it's just that it is rarely inspiring either. The cast is well assembled, with one or two creaky performances aside, the mystery element holds strong, and period flavours are tasteful. But the mansion it's set in is too bright and un-threatening, it's overtly talky as a good hour is used to set up characters and plot dynamics, while there's a distinct lack of acidity in the script. Still, it's never less than fun, and for the innovative reading of the will segment alone this version is worth seeking out by those who decry the demise of the old dark house set mystery thriller. 6/10

Scarecrow-88 Divine little "killer-on-the-loose-inside-the-creepy-mansion" thriller as someone supposedly from an insane asylum will perhaps harm a group of cousins, hoping for an inheritance from dear Cyrus West(Wilfrid Hyde-White, simply marvelous in his limited screen time), who stay the night in his eerie large residence, filled with secret passage-ways. Annabelle West(Carol Lynley)is the official heiress to the fortune and mansion because of her being the next in line by name. But, stipulations regarding her getting the money come with receiving the inheritance news..if she is proved to be insane..or murdered..after that night, the next in line to the fortune will get it. When Cyrus' lawyer, and preparer of the will, Allison Crosby(Wendy Hiller;simply wonderful when on screen)is viciously killed, Annabelle is in fear for her life for anyone amongst them has reason for perhaps using blood shed if it means gaining a fortune.A great cast, macabre sense of humor, and stylish direction really works wonders off of your basic drawing-room, Agatha Christie mystery. The house is a delightfully ominous setting and such spirited, game performances really works wonders in the setting. Edward Fox has a great entrance, through a window no less, as a flamboyant "asylum doctor" who informs the cast of the escaped loony who has fashioned a likeness with a cat, creating claws and such to heighten the effect. Beatrix Lehmann also has a memorable role as the quiet and oddball Mrs. Pleasant, a maid for Cyrus West who often is seen sneaking around corners and entering situations after something important to the plot has taken place. Carol Lynley as the heiress is simply radiant and charming..also having sparkling chemistry with American cousin, songwriter Paul(Michael Callan)who becomes the unlikely hero. Mustn't forget Honor Blackman as the scheming Susan, trying to push Annabelle over the edge while the simply beautiful Olivia Hussey(it was quite hard for me not to drool she's so lovely) is perhaps her lover(it's hinted at mainly when they insist on sharing a room together in such a large place full of empty rooms) Cicily Young who hopes to possibly inherit the money herself. Daniel Massey is Harry, a man who had gained quite a bit of wealth through corrupt business practices while Peter McEnery is the homosexual bit actor/double Charlie, who was quite "close" to Cyrus and favored by the old man. Some of the ugly stuff(despicable slow death of Crosby by the killer(s); possible unsavory activities in one of Cyrus' secret rooms no one accept a select few knew about)is subtly hinted at in key moments of dialogue. A ton of fun, colorful, and at times quite spooky.

chuffnobbler What an odd film. A few decent chuckles, a few wonderful camera tricks, but far too much chitchat and a very nasty sadistic tinge.The "old dark house" thriller idea is hardly given any new energy, and the thunder sound effects often swamp the dialogue, making some sequences a challenge to endure. I agree with other reviewers that this feels like a 70s version of the 30s, with the same costume/lighting ideas as many of the 70s Agatha Christie adaptations (and Olivia Hussey in the cast).Wilfred Hyde White is great fun from beyond the grave, and a special word for the wonderful sequence where the usually glorious (but here slightly subdued) Beatrix Lehmann walks behind his projection screen, appears on screen, then emerges from behind the other side. Also, a very effective sequence where Ms Lehmann talks about her late employer with her face reflected in his photo.Far too many characters I found it hard to care about, all written in very poor, sub-Cluedo dialogue. Even Honor Blackman struggles with the poor material she is given. Some sequences are, frankly, silly. Edward Fox leaps through a window instead of knocking on the door. After relating the saga of the escaped loony, Mr Fox instructs everyone to lock up the house and hide in their rooms; this comes despite his having rendered the house insecure by destroying the lounge window. There is a nasty tinge of sadistic enjoyment to the final sequences, where the barking mad murderer is cornered in his lair. As much of the rest of the film tries (and very occasionally succeeds) in being light-hearted, the unpleasant conclusion, followed by a twee little "happily ever after" coda, seems at odds with the film's intentions. Very uneven and unsure of whether to laugh or scream, this really isn't very good.

gridoon If drawing-room-type murder mysteries with a comic touch are your cup of tea, then you can't go wrong with this one. It's not as good as, say, "Murder by Death" or the best Agatha Christie adaptations, and there are some overly talky sequences that exist mainly to showcase the actors and lead nowhere. But it holds your interest, and has some very good acting, especially by Wilfrid Hyde-White in a most unusual cameo. (**1/2)