The Cat and the Canary

Plot

Twenty years after the death of eccentric millionaire Cyrus West, his greedy relatives gather at his decaying mansion on a stormy night for the reading of his will. The will stipulates that Annabelle West, his closest living relative bearing his name, will inherit everything if she's proven sane, otherwise the fortune goes to an alternate heir named in a sealed envelope. When the lawyer disappears before revealing this successor's identity, a series of terrifying events unfold, including mysterious disappearances, ghostly apparitions, and a cat-like figure stalking the halls. As Annabelle is terrorized and gaslighted by the other heirs who question her sanity, she must fight to survive the night and uncover the truth behind the haunting. The film culminates in the revelation that the mansion's caretaker is behind the supernatural events, attempting to drive Annabelle mad to claim the inheritance for himself, leading to a dramatic confrontation and restoration of order.

Historical Background

The Cat and the Canary was produced during the transition from silent to sound cinema, released just months before The Jazz Singer revolutionized the industry. 1927 was also the year of the first Academy Awards ceremony, reflecting Hollywood's growing professionalization. The film reflected the post-WWI fascination with psychology and mental health, as Freudian ideas had permeated American culture. The stock market was still soaring in 1927, and themes of inheritance and greed resonated with audiences during this period of unprecedented wealth accumulation. The film's German Expressionist style represented the influence of European cinema on American filmmaking, as many German directors and technicians had immigrated to Hollywood following WWI. This period also saw the rise of the studio system, with Universal establishing itself as a major player through successful genre films like this one.

Making Of

The production was a landmark collaboration between American studio efficiency and German artistic sensibility. Paul Leni brought with him from Germany a team of technicians who helped implement sophisticated lighting and camera techniques that were relatively new to Hollywood. The casting of Laura La Plante was strategic, as she was one of Universal's most reliable stars. Creighton Hale's performance as the cowardly Charlie was largely improvised, as Leni encouraged him to exaggerate his reactions for comedic effect. The famous scene where Hale's character slides down a bannister was accomplished by greasing the rail and having stunt performers pull him with wires. The production faced challenges with the elaborate mansion set, which had to be redesigned multiple times to accommodate all the secret passages and hidden doors required by the plot. The film's success was such that Universal immediately began planning more horror productions with Leni, though he would die tragically young in 1929.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Gilbert Warrenton was revolutionary for its time, incorporating German Expressionist techniques including dramatic shadows, distorted camera angles, and chiaroscuro lighting. The film made extensive use of silhouettes against walls and windows to create an atmosphere of menace and mystery. Warrenton employed innovative camera movements including tracking shots that followed characters through the mansion's corridors, creating a sense of being pursued. The famous scene where the cat-like figure appears and disappears used multiple exposure techniques and careful timing to create supernatural effects. The cinematography emphasized verticality with numerous shots of staircases and high ceilings, making characters appear small and vulnerable. The use of practical lighting sources like candles and lamps rather than flat studio lighting enhanced the realism of the haunted atmosphere. The film's visual style influenced countless later horror films, establishing many techniques that would become horror cinematography conventions.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations in American cinema, particularly in the realm of special effects and lighting. The use of multiple exposure photography to create ghostly apparitions was groundbreaking for Hollywood in 1927. The elaborate mansion set featured numerous technical innovations including retractable walls, hidden doors, and complex rigging for the various disappearance effects. The film's use of matte paintings to extend the mansion's interior spaces was particularly sophisticated for the period. The cinematography employed innovative techniques including forced perspective to make the mansion appear larger and more imposing. The sound effects, created mechanically in the theater, included creaking doors, howling wind, and mysterious cat sounds that enhanced the atmosphere. The film's editing, particularly during suspense sequences, used rapid cuts and jump cuts to create tension in ways that were innovative for American cinema. The production also pioneered the use of pre-planning storyboards for complex sequences, a practice that would become standard in Hollywood.

Music

As a silent film, The Cat and the Canary was originally presented with live musical accompaniment that varied by theater. Universal provided a detailed musical cue sheet suggesting appropriate music for each scene, including classical pieces by composers like Chopin and Wagner alongside original compositions. The score emphasized dissonant chords and minor keys during suspenseful scenes, shifting to lighter comedic music during Hale's scenes. Some larger theaters presented the film with full orchestras, while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. The original cue sheet specified the use of the theremin for supernatural scenes, though this was likely rare in 1927. Modern restorations have featured newly composed scores by musicians like Robert Israel, who attempt to recreate the film's original musical intentions while taking advantage of modern recording techniques. The soundtrack's role in building atmosphere was crucial to the film's effectiveness, with the music often providing the only indication of danger or supernatural presence.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence establishing the decaying mansion with its numerous gargoyles and eerie atmosphere, setting the tone for the entire film.
• The will reading scene where the terms of inheritance are revealed, establishing the central conflict and motives.
• Creighton Hale's comic slide down the grand staircase bannister, providing comic relief while also demonstrating the mansion's imposing scale.
• The first appearance of the cat-like figure emerging from the shadows, using silhouette and lighting to maximum effect.
• The scene where Annabelle is terrorized in her bedroom with the mysterious hand emerging from behind the curtain.
• The climactic chase through the mansion's secret passages, revealing the full extent of the set's complexity.
• The final revelation scene where the caretaker's disguise is removed and the supernatural elements are explained.
• The closing shot of the mansion in daylight, transformed from threatening to merely old, symbolizing the restoration of order.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film's atmospheric direction and innovative visual style, with Variety calling it 'a masterpiece of mystery and suspense' and specifically commending Paul Leni's direction. The New York Times highlighted the film's technical achievements in creating mood through lighting and camera work. Modern critics have reevaluated the film as a landmark of horror cinema, with many considering it Leni's masterpiece. Film historian William K. Everson called it 'one of the most influential horror films ever made.' The film holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critical reviews, with consensus praising its atmosphere and technical achievements. Critics particularly note how effectively the film balances horror and comedy, a difficult combination that many later films failed to achieve. The cinematography and set design are consistently highlighted as revolutionary for American cinema of the period.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a major commercial success upon release, grossing over eight times its production budget and becoming one of Universal's biggest hits of 1927. Audiences were particularly thrilled by the film's suspenseful atmosphere and jump scares, with many reports of theatergoers screaming during key scenes. The comedy elements, especially Creighton Hale's cowardly performance, were also audience favorites. The film's success led to increased demand for horror films, with theaters specifically programming 'horror nights' featuring The Cat and the Canary as the main attraction. Contemporary audience letters to movie magazines frequently praised the film's thrills and recommended it to friends. The movie's popularity was such that it remained in circulation for years beyond the typical run of silent films, even as sound cinema took over. Modern audiences continue to discover the film through revivals and home video, with many expressing surprise at how effectively the silent film builds tension and delivers scares.

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