Arguably one of the greatest years in film history - Gone With the Wind, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, The Wizard of Oz? Which one of these greats are we going to talk about? None of the above. While researching last week's Wayback Wednesday title, Modern Times, I happened upon this title while looking at some of the other films Paulette Goddard had made. It caught my eye, because Carol had done the play in Ankeny many moons ago, and she had had the same role as Goddard.
The Cat and the Canary stars Bob Hope and the above mentioned, Paulette Goddard. The story involves an extended family gathering at an old mansion in a rural bayou to hear the reading of the will of Cyrus Norman, an eccentric relative. There is, of course, a creepy housekeeper, who keeps predicting impending death. The relatives include Goddard playing Joyce, who finds out she is the sole heir to the fortune. Bob Hope is a distant cousin. There are also a three other cousins and an aunt. Since insanity runs in the family, there is a stipulation in the will that if Joyce falls victim to it, then a second heir will be named. Of course, they're stuck at the mansion for the night. Oh, and did I mention there's a escaped inmate known as "The Cat" running around?
The story is full of what I can only assume were already contrivances at the time this was made - secret passages, a rotating bookcase, hidden treasure, and a mysterious note. In reality, it's like watching an old Scooby-Doo episode. All that aside, this is a fun, little movie that is made watchable by the always hilarious Bob Hope.
Bob Hope is amazing; I can think of any other actor or comedian more capable of turning an average script into something special. I thought it was really interesting to see how much of his character was already established so early on. The wise-cracking cowardly lady's man he would play in the Road movies and the Paleface film is very much evident here.
Goddard is good as Joyce, but she isn't quite a strong enough actress to make it feel believable when she's bouncing through the wide range of emotions that her character requires. She and Hope have good chemistry together, though. They would reunite the next year to make the similarly themed "The Ghost Breakers."
While The Cat and the Canary may not hold up as well as other classic films from that year, it is still well worth checking out, especially if you a Bob Hope fan.
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