The Cat And The Canary | The Movie That Helped Create Universal Horror 

Thanks for using this Amazon link to support Cereal At Midnight: amzn.to/3vLMM2P Further viewing: The Eureka Interview ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PMKO2KXSIKY.html Icons of Horror: Universal Monsters ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sXnpCe0tMI4.html Antonia Carlotta on Universal and The Laemmle Legacy ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_Ke9rkcc8qQ.html A Pre-Code Movie Primer ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VjbrjJ4LPDE.html

Being a horror fan and being into silent cinema really does go hand in hand over time. I just watched Sweeney Todd (1928 & 1936) and it’s a trip to see the inspiration for Tim Burton’s 2007 version. Directors like him were massively inspired by these old school movies. Alfred Hitchcock once said that silent cinema is pure cinema. He actually started out in silent films himself. All of this rambling to say that being a horror fan naturally leads down this amazing rabbit hole of discovery. It’s an acquired taste at first, I’ll admit that, but it’s well worth it. And just to piggy back off Heath, both the 1927 and 1939 Cat and the canary movies are top notch stuff!

A few years ago l got into watching 'You Bet Your Life' with Groucho Marx. On one episode, he had a mystery guest that l was unfamiliar with, named Laura Laplante. She was amazing to look at, very funny, and provided a great introduction to her personality and film background, as she had retired by that time. So l tracked down this film, and found it a terrific and very modern-feeling film. I will seek this out, as l can use an upgrade. And just a heads up - the magazine Films of The Golden Age just ran an extensive two-part feature on Laura Laplante, and they go into The Cat and The Canary. A terrific feature-length piece worth your time and energy! Thanks again, Heath!

I'm so glad, Heath, that you did this very informative review promoting this film! It was after I had viewed your interview with Kevin Lambert from Eureka that I pre-ordered it. For years, I've wanted this amazing original, and now I can enjoy it in fabulous quality. Thanks for being a champion for these classic films.

One of my favorite horror movies ever!!!! Love the Bob Hope remake too. Something so inherently simple yet brilliant about the premise

Thanks for the review Heath !!! I had long ago set this as a preorder !!! I’m a huge fan of the silent era . Silent films rule !!! It’s hard for some but getting into such a key historical era is super ! The “over acting “ (for lack of a better word) by the actors/ actresses , the garish , creepy sets and makeups and the ground breaking cinematography all helped to make these films . It should be a must for everyone who enjoys cinema and cinema history . Eureka! Out out another legendary 1920’s horror/ proto horror , the Cabinet of Dr Caligari. In 4K. This came out last year . The expressionist era of German cinema was so key in helping push cinema forward with odd and different camera angles , the use of light / shade / shadow , odd perspective and avante garde set design . Cat and the canary , while perhaps not pure expressionism , does have some of these traits . Silent films , particularly silent horror , is so intriguing as with no sound and black and white it really has a true dream like quality . Expressionism , would go into influence cinematography in general but had a major influence on Film Noir , and with out the Old Dsrk House sun genre of horror , we may not have either horror comedy , or more directly would we have had Scooby Doo ???? Eureka m! Has done an amazing job at film history / preservation , along with all the other specialty labels . Within the past 18 months I’ve picked up their region B collection “Karloff at Columbia” , with all his mad scientist films (and one amazing period gothic thriller.) a point you made , is that nothing is really new . Cat and Canary was an influence on later films . I think Karloff’s “the man they could not hang “ , had him revived or surviving a legal hanging (for murder) and tricking those who convicted him into a house that he’s boobytrapoed to kill one by one …… as vengeance for what he perceived as a wrong doing to himself. The theme of a man in a delusional state killing off goes in bizarre ways , continued at least to Vincent Prices’ early 70’s trilogy of movies , Abominable Dr Phibes , Dr Phibes Rises Again and Theater of Blood …….. sow the Saw family of films may be even more graphic but they’re not truly new . As you state , many of these types of story ideas aren’t really new . Wow - happy now that I preordered !! Keep up the amazing work . Maybe some kind of overview or regular series of the silent era is something you could focus on !! I live your historical bent , in your reviews !!!! Take car and thanks Heath !!

I've been waiting for this release most of my adult life. FINALLY. 4k schmore k. I'm psyched for it just the way it is. A 4k scan on blu-ray is a-okay with me. Thanks Heath, as always.

Universal remade this just 3 years later (1930) as well as The Cat Creeps. Which is now sadly lost, except for the clips in the short Boo! The Cat Creeps was also made simultanesouly in Spanish. But that version is also lost

Great film. I've gotta wait until the 22nd in the UK. 🥴

Forrest J Ackerman often sang the praises of this film. Back then, I could never find a way to see it. Glad to hear of this release.

Got my copy on Saturday!! Love this flick!

Thanks for continuing to highlight silent era discs. I first became aware of "The Cat and the Canary" back in the early 70s, when I picked up Carlos Claren's "An Illustrated History of the Horror Film" from our local library. I remember being thrilled when I later found the Image Entertainment release of the film on DVD. It was a pretty good presentation. But even those few screen grabs you showed this release is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade. Pre-ordering now!

Just got this in the other day and I can’t wait to watch!

I wonder if they have any theaters today that have a live orchestra playing for the silent movies? What a cool idea for film fans. Or even set up some speakeasy's attached to a theater and a customer can have a whole 1920's experience.

This film is FANTASTIC oh my goodness. I find it very creepy, but others may well disagree with me. I’m thrilled it’s been released by Eureka! Because their discs are always so well done especially in terms of resolution and extras. Plus, that cover art is beautiful 😮 Thanks so much for this video, Heath

I haven't seen this gem actually but will probably pick this up to deeper my cinematic experience in the silent era. Thanks for the video and in depth review!

Silent and black & white? Oh My!

Saw this restoration at the San Francisco Silent film festival last year and it blew me away. And a few weeks ago, at the same festival they premiered the Gorilla from 1927, thought lost until this year, another early old dark house film. Hoping that comes to a disc some time soon

Thanks, Heath! Great video. I have a DVD of this film but I might upgrade to the blueray, it sounds excellent.

I mistakenly thought that The Old Dark House had come before Cat And The Canary. Good review and cool video Heath!👉🙂👈

I was amused by your comments about the commentary overlap. My wife and I recently binged the KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER Blu-ray set, watching each episode with the audio commentary. Since the commentaries were farmed out, the first five episodes (i.e. the entirety of Disc #1) each started with an assessment of the opening credits, so, after the first two episodes, there was a bit of sitting through for the first three minutes/however long the credit sequence lasted. Lucky Strike means Fine Tobacco!!! (Jack Benny's sponsor, though I don't know if that continued when his radio program moved to the CBS network.) Love the Silent movies. Am curious if you have, or have seen, the Deluxe Boxed sets of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and BEN HUR, both of which include the silent versions of the respective movies. Of particular interest is THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, the silent version of which was also directed by DeMille ... the audio commentary is quick to point out which elements of the exodus scene were taken whole and breathing from the silent version to the epic color version. Thank you for pointing out this release; I am intrigued.

My copy arrived today. Looking for a bit more information about it, came across your excellent and informative presentation. Thanks!

The Last Warning is a another great film by Paul Leni, also out on eureka films.

Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this one, I'll be picking up a copy!

I recently watched my bluray of the Hammer Dracula movie and in one of the extras the producer/writer/director said that he didn't make horror movies but macabre movies. I like that title and it's what I personally enjoy more. I love films with style and class, but with a macabre or creepy atmosphere that's fun to watch. Jump scares send my weak heart racing so I can't stand those.

House on Haunted Hill is another one.

Really enjoyed this video. I picked up the Bob Hope version from Kino a couple of years back amd really enjoyed that release, may need to check this one out!

Added it to my wishlist. I feel like I saw a crumby copy years ago, but am not totally sure.

Pre-ordered this in January! ...its arriving this week :-)

I think I’m going to have to get this one!

Yes!

Just came in the mail 😊

Nosferatu, the cabinet Dr Kilgari, and the golem were before the cat and the Canary. Too bad the Talking remake is lost that was Universal's first Talking horror film before Dracula, The Cat Creeps,1930.

I got in to silent movies through Eureka's Nosferatu DVD. As you say, it looks like a modern movie after all the restoration. I was therefore disappointed and confused when the Eureka bluray of Nosferatu released with a brand new restoration that was worse than the DVD. Very noticeable image instability when the DVD was solid as a rock, really made it look its age and as a result I refuse to watch that bluray.

Reminds me House On Haunted Hill.

Do you need a Region-free player to view this disc?

Scared Stiff with Jerry Lewis 👍

I love this film and I'm so glad it's finally getting a decent release. The various remakes all have their own 'charms', but this is the original and the best. Can't wait to get my copy. Thanks Heath.