Universal 1927

Okay, I have no idea about what this movie is going into it and... it's quite charming. This is The Cat and the Canary.

It's been 20 years since old crazy West died, and the relatives have gathered for a reading of the will (actually... does that work? can you say "nothing happens for twenty years? anyway). Annabelle is named as the heir, but she has to spend a night in the old castle... er mansion, and the others are also there, and has to be declared sane by the local (rather crazy himself) doctor. However, odd things are happening, and people are all too quick to believe the worst of her.

Okay, we have a decent story, and hey, the monster has a definite presence, but isn't overwhelming the story. I like it! This is good integration! And, as it happens, this is a bit of the comedy. The leading man, Paul, is a coward and prone to slapstick, but still manages to come through... although remains a fool. Annabelle is pretty, and certainly isn't exactly a strong woman, but she's no wilting flower either.

This movie gets on with it, and does it well. It has fun with it, but has the monster aspect too. These days we would think we needed more to make this a horror house, but this works by itself.

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