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      The Cat and the Canary

      Released Nov 10, 1939 1h 12m Mystery & Thriller Comedy List
      Reviews 72% Audience Score 250+ Ratings Ten years after the death of millionaire Cyrus Norman, his will is to be read out to his six relatives, including Joyce Norman (Paulette Goddard) and Wally Campbell (Bob Hope). Organized by Norman's lawyer, Crosby (George Zucco), the six meet at Norman's eerie New Orleans Gothic mansion. During the reading, the superstitious housekeeper declares that someone will be dead by midnight. Wally fears for Joyce when she is declared the sole inheritor, but all are alarmed when Crosby turns up dead. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Hope established the wisecracking, cowardly persona that would serve him well throughout his career (as well as influence countless other comics, Woody Allen chief among them). Rated: 3/4 Sep 19, 2020 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) While it's not as stylistically impressive as the 1927 Paul Leni silent, it's probably an all around more successful film. Rated: 4.5/5 Oct 20, 2010 Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com (Bob) Hope and (Paulette) Goddard have marvelous chemistry and Hope is completely amiable, using wisecracks to cover up his discomfort and fear. Jun 11, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Valerii Ege D A good version of Mystery House. A legacy on stake but there is a killer in the house. Someone needs to die. And some, will solve the secret. Who is going to die? Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Rick R bob hope has an a+ cast around him. Paulette Goddard is a favorite of mine. A vary entertaining movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/11/23 Full Review Chris J MOVIE REVIEW The Cat and the Canary/The Ghost Breakers Approved/Passed – Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery Year Released: 1939/1940, 2022 Eureka! Blu-ray Runtime: 1h 12m/1h 25m Director(s): Elliott Nugent/George Marshall Writer(s): Walter DeLeon, Lynn Starling, John Willard (based on the stage play by)/Walter DeLeon, Paul Dickey (based on a play by,) Charles W. Goddard(based on a play by) Cast: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard Where To Watch: Available now at Eureka Video RAVING REVIEW: Two Bob Hope classic horror comedies for the price of one, released over 80 years ago, offer solid comedy and funny horror moments that hold up well even today. You'll traditionally either like Bob Hope or you won't; there's not a lot of middle ground in his style. THE CAT AND THE CANARY is a classic horror comedy released in 1939. The film follows the story of Joyce Norman, played by Paulette Goddard, who inherits a mansion from her eccentric uncle. However, to claim her inheritance, Annabelle must spend the night in the mansion with a group of strangers, who are also potential heirs. As the night wears on, strange and supernatural events begin to occur, and it becomes clear that one of the heirs may be a killer. (sound familiar?) One of the standout aspects of THE CAT AND THE CANARY is its excellent cast. Hope is charming and funny as the bumbling hero, and Goddard is delightful as the plucky and resourceful Annabelle. The supporting cast is also strong, with John Beal, Gale Sondergaard, and Douglass Montgomery delivering memorable performances. The film's script is clever and well-written, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing until the end. Regarding production value, we get a mixed bag. The sets and costumes are lavish and well done, but the special effects are a bit dated by today's standards. However, this doesn't detract from the film's overall enjoyment, as the focus is more on the characters and their interactions rather than the supernatural elements. Not to mention that if you're watching an 80-year-old film, you must know what you're getting. Overall, THE CAT AND THE CANARY is a delightful horror comedy that will delight fans of the genre. It's a classic example of the "old dark house" subgenre, and its wit and charm make it a must-see for any fan of vintage horror. THE GHOST BREAKERS is another horror comedy by Bob Hope, released in 1940. The film follows the story of Larry Lawrence, a radio host played by Hope, who is sent to investigate a haunted castle. Along the way, he meets Mary Carter, played by Paulette Goddard, and the two of them set out to uncover the mystery of the castle's ghostly inhabitants. Like THE CAT AND THE CANARY, THE GHOST BREAKERS boasts an excellent cast, with Hope and Goddard again delivering strong performances. The film's script is also well-written, with plenty of humorous and suspenseful moments throughout. The production values are also strong, with beautiful sets and costumes, and the special effects, while not particularly groundbreaking, are effective in creating a sense of spookiness. One of the standout aspects of THE GHOST BREAKERS is its setting. The film's location setting adds a sense of exoticism and adventure to the proceedings. The film makes great use of this, with the castle providing the perfect backdrop for the film's supernatural events. SPECIAL FEATURES: – Limited Edition slipcase [2000 copies] – 1080p presentation of both films from scans of the original film elements supplied by Universal, with The Ghost Breakers, presented from a new 2K master – Optional English SDH – Brand new audio commentary tracks on both films with Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby – Kim Newman on "The Cat and the Canary" and "The Ghost Breakers" – "The Ghost Breakers" 1949 radio adaptation – Trailers – Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork – A limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing by Craig Ian Mann [2000 copies] For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/22 Full Review Audience Member Lots of fun. A pretty much perfect haunted house comedy/thriller. Bob Hope was perfect. This would be a great haunted house film to show kids at Halloween. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Mezclando gèneros Bon Hope. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member The best comedy movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Ten years after the death of millionaire Cyrus Norman, his will is to be read out to his six relatives, including Joyce Norman (Paulette Goddard) and Wally Campbell (Bob Hope). Organized by Norman's lawyer, Crosby (George Zucco), the six meet at Norman's eerie New Orleans Gothic mansion. During the reading, the superstitious housekeeper declares that someone will be dead by midnight. Wally fears for Joyce when she is declared the sole inheritor, but all are alarmed when Crosby turns up dead.
      Director
      Elliott Nugent
      Screenwriter
      Walter DeLeon, Lynn Starling, John Willard
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Production Co
      Paramount Pictures
      Genre
      Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 10, 1939, Wide
      Release Date (DVD)
      Jun 8, 2010
      Runtime
      1h 12m
      Sound Mix
      Mono