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The Cat And The Canary [1939]
![The Cat And The Canary [1939]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TMJMSPQXL._SL160_.jpg)
Ten years have passed since the death of millionaire Cyrus Norman, his attorney gathers his six remaining relatives in his old mansion in the swamps of Louisiana to read the will. The family maid appears and announces that the spirits have told her that one of them will die that night and Hendrick, the local prison guard warns them that "The Cat", a homicidal maniac has escaped and could appear at any minute. This sets up a night filled with murders, mysteries and intrigue. Hope has one great one-liner after another in this old dark house mystery/comedy. DVD Technical Information:
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £11.98 (subject to change)
Editorial
DVD Description
Bob Hope built a career out of the persona of the fussy, fast-talking lothario spooked by sex, the blowhard who crumbles at the first sign of trouble. In The Cat and the Canary Hope gave this character its first outing and never looked back. The film is to this day one of the best horror spoofs ever made.
Editorial
Special Features
Editorial
Synopsis
A comic thriller filled with an abundance of both chills and laughs. In order to collect an inheritance, a nervous family must spend the night in an old, dark house, with a psychotic criminal on the loose.
PICTURE QUALITY VERY POOR
Review date: 2007-03-07 Rating: 2 out of 10
Despite the reviews here giving this DVD 5 stars, it is indeed a classic, avoid it a all costs. Luckily I only rented it - the picture quality is simply abyssmal, straight from a VHS tape I reckon and umpteenth generation to boot. STEER CLEAR!
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Reviews
Barely watchable
Review date: 2006-09-19 Rating: 2 out of 10
Caught up in rights problems in the US, it seemed like there was little chance of being able to see this film since Universal Studios were unable to release it. However, the people at public domain specialists Orbit Media have been able to somehow get around any problems, and put out a disc version that will please fans of the film who only want to listen to the soundtrack. Those who are able to see will be extremely disappointed - the picture is clearly sourced from an American VHS tape (zoom back on the picture and you can see the signs of VHS head-switching) and has no definition whatsoever. If your idea of a good time is to watch shapeless blobs moving around a screen, then this is the DVD for you. The film itself is deserving of the praise it receives (look at the comments of some of the other reviewers on Amazon - many who posted their comments before the disappointing disc was issued), so if you're really desperate to see it, then the best option is probably to give it a rental and to imagine you're watching it without glasses or contacts in.
orbit media should hang their head in shame!
Review date: 2005-07-13 Rating: 2 out of 10
One of Bob Hopes best films has been sadly disrespected by Orbit Medias dvd version of the cat and the canary.The picture quality is truly awful,and should be avoided.Hopefully another distributer will soon release this classic again and do it justice!
best film ever
Review date: 2005-02-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
I saw this film when i was 10 years old ( some 22 years ago ). after all these years and all the films i have seen since then, this will always be my all time favourite. its got the lot, humour,old houses with a spooky atmospheres and a cast that are a hard act to follow. If you havent seen it, I would strongly recommend it. It may be in 1939 but if doesnt need all the special effects and stunts thats needed to pull film buffs in nowadays. SEE IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great film - poor print
Review date: 2004-06-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
The film is worth five stars but the terrible quality print is only worth one star. It looks like an off air recording on a VHS cassette that you have played a hundred times.
Still, Hope is very funny, Paulette Goddard is gorgeous, and Gale Sondergaard is spooky.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
John Beal
Paulette Goddard
Douglass Montgomery
Gale Sondergaard
Bob Hope
Creators:
Bob Hope (Primary Contributor)
Paulette Goddard (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Orbit Media Ltd.
Manufacturer: Orbit Media Ltd.
EAN: 5024166027034
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2004-03-01
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 72 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1939-11-10
Language: English (Original Language)