The Cat and the Canary (1939): cast, story & where to watch
1939 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1939, The Cat and the Canary is a comedy, thriller, horror and mystery film directed by Elliott Nugent, running about 72 minutes. “A CHILL-AND-CHUCKLE CHASE!...A FORTUNE AT STAKE AND A MONSTER AT LARGE!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Ten years after the death of millionaire Cyrus Norman, his will is to be read out to his six relatives, including Joyce Norman and Wally Campbell. Organized by Norman's lawyer, Crosby, 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.
Who’s in it. The Cat and the Canary stars Bob Hope as Wally Campbell, Paulette Goddard as Joyce Norman, John Beal as Fred Blythe and Douglass Montgomery as Charles Wilder, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, The Cat and the Canary has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Cat and the Canary page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Cat and the Canary tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Cat and the Canary (1939)?
- In US, The Cat and the Canary is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Cat and the Canary worth watching?
- The Cat and the Canary holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, thriller, horror and mystery. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Cat and the Canary?
- The Cat and the Canary stars Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, John Beal, Douglass Montgomery and Gale Sondergaard.
- When was The Cat and the Canary released?
- The Cat and the Canary was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 72 minutes.