The Cat and the Canary

The Cat and the Canary

Year: 1978

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Radley Metzger

MysteryHorrorComedyHorror the undead and monster classicsIntriguing and suspenseful murder mysteries

A warning echoes: “For God’s sake, stay in your rooms and lock the doors!” When a group of prospective heirs gathers in a grim, antiquated mansion to discover who will inherit a vast fortune, they soon realize a flesh‑rending maniac is on the loose, turning the inheritance hunt into a deadly nightmare.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Cat and the Canary (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Cat and the Canary (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1934

The events unfold in 1934, marking the 20th anniversary of Cyrus West's death. The time period provides formal etiquette, tailored fashion, and a pre-war sensibility that heightens the tension of a late-night confrontation. The house becomes a stage where past scandals resurface as the present danger escalates.

Location

Cyrus West's mansion, rural England

A sprawling English manor serves as the gathering place for the relatives. Its creaking corridors, hidden passageways, and shadowy rooms create a claustrophobic, film-noir atmosphere ideal for a locked-room style mystery. The estate embodies old wealth, family tension, and the danger lurking beneath refined surfaces.

🏰 Manor 🕯️ Gothic 🗝️ Secrets

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

Main Characters – The Cat and the Canary (1978)

Meet the key characters of The Cat and the Canary (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Susan Sillsby (Honor Blackman)

A bold English hunter and protective cousin who scrutinizes the relatives with practical resolve. Her quick wit and willingness to confront danger help pin down motives and keep tensions alive.

🏹 Hunter 💪 Protector 🕵️‍♀️ Suspicious

Allison Crosby (Wendy Hiller)

The estate’s cautious overseer, whose calm exterior hides strategic manipulation. She guards information and navigates for power, though her true loyalties remain unclear.

🕰️ Secretive 🎭 Manipulative 🧩 Planner

Dr. Hendricks (Edward Fox)

A psychiatrist from a nearby sanitarium who warns of a dangerous patient. He becomes entangled in the mansion’s intrigues, potentially aiding the killer.

🧠 Psychiatrist 🗝️ Hidden motives 🌀 Manipulative

Annabelle West (Carol Lynley)

A rising fashion designer and sole beneficiary candidate who faces peril with composure. Her status as target heightens the stakes for everyone involved.

✨ Fashionable 💎 Targeted 🕊️ Determined

Cicily Young (Olivia Hussey)

Susan’s companion and cousin who navigates the night with cautious loyalty. She provides support to Susan while staying vigilant about the mansion’s dangers.

❤️ Lover 🚪 Loyal 🧭 Cautious

Paul Jones (Michael Callan)

An American songwriter with ambitions who teams with Annabelle to uncover the second heir. He adds a sharp, opportunistic edge to the group dynamics.

🎼 Songwriter 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 💰 Opportunist

Charlie Wilder (Peter McEnery)

A trenchcoat-clad figure who proves to be the killer and the secondary heir. He orchestrates the perilous events from behind a disguise.

🏁 Schemer 🗡️ Killer 👤 Disguised

Cyrus West (Wilfrid Hyde-White)

The deceased patriarch whose reading of the will initiates the night’s deadly games. His theatrical manipulation lingers in memory and motive.

🕳️ Wealth 🧭 Architect 🎭 Trickster

Mrs. Pleasant (Beatrix Lehmann)

The longtime maid who operates with clear-sighted pragmatism. She quietly confronts danger and helps turn the tide against the killer.

🧹 Maid 🗝️ Keeper of secrets 🎯 Steady

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

Major Themes – The Cat and the Canary (1978)

Explore the central themes of The Cat and the Canary (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Inheritance

The narrative hinges on a fortune and a will that designates a sole beneficiary. The condition to claim the inheritance—a night in the house and a test of sanity—creates a pressure-filled contest of trust and deception. The prospect of a secondary heir drives motives and fuels the killer’s plan.

🕵️ Deception

Secret passages, disguises, and concealed agendas weave a web of misdirection. Characters conceal true motives and manipulate others to influence outcomes. The masked killer embodies this theme, turning appearances into a tool for harm.

🗝️ Secrets

Long-buried family truths surface alongside past delusions and loyalties. Hidden rooms and whispered histories test each character’s sanity as paranoia grows. The unraveling of secrets determines who ultimately survives the night.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

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The Cat and the Canary Summary

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The Cat and the Canary Summary

The Cat and the Canary Timeline

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The Cat and the Canary Timeline

More About The Cat and the Canary

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The Cat and the Canary (1978) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Cat and the Canary (1978) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Cat and the Canary (1978) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow