A group of potential heirs gather in a forbidding old house to learn which of them will inherit a fortune. Later, they learn that a flesh-rending maniac is loose.A group of potential heirs gather in a forbidding old house to learn which of them will inherit a fortune. Later, they learn that a flesh-rending maniac is loose.A group of potential heirs gather in a forbidding old house to learn which of them will inherit a fortune. Later, they learn that a flesh-rending maniac is loose.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe house used in The Cat and the Canary (1978) was also used in The Omen (1976) (Gregory Peck) as the ambassador's home.
- GoofsOne of the characters -played by Daniel Massey- just disappears from the film without explanation. He is seen after Carol Lynley is attacked in her room but then isn't seen again, isn't murdered, isn't around at the end, and isn't referred to by anyone. Although he is not seen, Harry (Daniel Massey) is referred to by Cicily (Olivia Hussey), who tells the others that Harry is driving her home.
- Quotes
Cyrus West: Good evening, leeches. Take your places. As you know, I am Cyrus West. Now first of all, let me tell you that you're all a bunch of bastards. I know, I know the people you came from. They're all a bunch of bastards. Yes, your fathers, your mothers, your uncles, your aunts, your nephews, your nieces, your sons, your daughters, not to mention a cartload of cousins. All a bunch of bastards except, of course, Mew Mew, and perhaps one or two others. Perhaps I'm the biggest bastard of you all, to bring you here this night, so distant in the future, and to sit here contemplating the interaction of you parasites.
- Crazy creditsThe credits of the film are shown in the form of Cyrus West (Wilfrid Hyde-White) holding up a series of title cards for the crew credits, followed by silent clips of the main characters with the corresponding actors' names but no character names.
- Alternate versionsThe Anchor Bay DVD is the director's cut, which runs 106 minutes.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Ban the Sadist Videos! (2005)
This was the first version of the story that I ever saw. Endless reruns on HBO years ago have burned portions of this film into my mind, but I didn't mind since the film was just a good time passer.
No, its not perfect. The 1970's retro feel that it has doesn't really work and makes the film feel like it doesn't belong anywhere. There were several films in the 1970's set in the 20's, 30's or 40's that suffered similar fates, particularly if they had any European connections. This is not the place to discuss it, but when you see this film you'll understand what I mean.
And you should see this since its good but far from great. Is this the version if you can only see one go at the story? No, that would probably be the Bob Hope version, but if you want something for a rainy Sunday that won't tax the brain, this is it.
7 out of 10 on the pure enjoyment scale.
- dbborroughs
- Jul 5, 2004
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die Katze und der Kanarienvogel
- Filming locations
- Pyrford Court, Ripley, Surrey, England, UK(Glencliff Manor interiors and exteriors)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1