The Cat and the Canary (1979 film)

The Cat and the Canary is a comedy mystery horror film directed by Radley Metzger released in 1978. It is an adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name, which was first filmed in 1927, and starred Laura LaPlante.

Plot

On the 20th anniversary of his death, the remaining relatives of Cyrus West (Wilfred Hyde-White) are called to his mansion to view the filmed reading of his will. Cyrus lets it be known how much he despised and loathed his kin by setting up a dogfight for the fortune and revealing that Annabelle West (Carol Lynley) is to be the sole beneficiary. However, to claim the inheritance, Annabelle must spend the night in the house with the rest of the family and be deemed sane the next morning. A doctor from the asylum up the road, Dr Hendricks (Edward Fox), arrives and informs the guests that a homicidal maniac, has escaped and is hiding out in the area. With a history of insanity in the family, a mansion replete with secret rooms and corridors and "The Cat" murderer on the loose, the night becomes a tale of gruesome murders, suspense, and, ultimately, revelations.