A stormy night, a creaking old mansion, and a killer on the loose—Universal Pictures’ horror-comedy is the perfect Halloween treat.
The Film
Twenty years after the death of millionaire Cyrus West, his relatives are called together in his decaying mansion on the Hudson River to hear the reading of the will. They discover that West has left everything to his niece Annabelle (Laura La Plante) - on the condition that she is judged to be legally sane.
But, as the family settles in for the evening, tensions rise when they are informed that a murderer nicknamed the Cat has escaped from a nearby asylum and is suspected to be somewhere on the grounds. A series of horrifying events punctuates a long, dark night of terror – during which Annabelle’s sanity will be called into question again and again.
The Cat and the Canary was the Hollywood debut of German expressionist film director Paul Leni. It has been remade several times, but the silent original has never been bettered.
“The definitive haunted house movie” - Time Out Film Guide
The Music
Pianist Jonny Best will bring the film alive with improvised music.
Doors 7pm
Duration 2 hours 15 minutes, including an interval and a Buster Keaton short film.
Music: Jonny Best (piano)
THE CAT AND THE CANARY
Director: Paul Leni
Year: 1927
Length: 1 hour 26 mins + short film + interval
With special thanks to FPA Classics
