WARNING: This Review May Contain Spoilers
Now, I have a little confession to make. The 1939 version of The Cat and the Canary is not the original film. It is actually based on a 1927 silent film, which in turn is based on a play from 1922 of the same name by John Willard. However, I have chosen to take a look at the 1939 and 1973 versions of this film and see how much four decades can have an effect on filmmaking.
Reference to the Title
In the 1939 film, Joyce begins reading a book called the Psychology of Fear and the page she opens it on to discusses a cat watching a canary through its cage. What I find interesting about this is that later on we have a reference to exactly this. When Joyce is changing for bed, we see a shot through her window, which is barred, before panning outside and seeing not just Hendricks watching her but also the escaped lunatic ‘The Cat’. In the 1973 remake however, the reference is much more literal, as the film opens with a cat watching a canary in its cage.
Closer to the Original
I decided to do a little bit of research in to this, as I noticed the difference in character names between the 1939 and 1973 versions of the film. Interestingly, it is actually the second remake that has the characters much closer to the original play and silent film. For example, Bob Hope’s character in the original film is named Wally Campbell whereas his 1973 counterpart, played by Michael Callan, is Paul Jones – matching the original film and play. Also, instead of Joyce Norman – the heir to the will is actually Annabelle West. Interestingly, the surname of West being changed to Norman is supposedly due to the fact that Mae West was still acting when the 1939 version of The Cat and the Canary was made.
The Housekeeper
Both Ms Lu and Mrs Pleasants seem to be in touch with the spirits of the household, however the two characters are played very differently. In the 1939 film, Ms Lu is actually played much darker than Mrs Pleasants, so much so that there is a scene that implies she can shape-shift. Mrs Pleasants is slightly more cooky and light-hearted a character than Ms Lu.
The Disappearance of Crosby
Here is a key piece of the story that doesn’t actually differ between films. In both versions, Crosby is taken by ‘The Cat’ via a secret passageway from the library while he talking to Joyce/Annabelle. Also, both Crosbys are discovered dead in the heiress’s bedroom. I have to admit something though, it is a little more believable in the 1939 version that Crosby is still alive when the corpse disappears later in the film as, unlike the body in the 1973 version, there is no blood – meaning that he could have just been unconscious.
The Love Triangle
This is definitely something that does not change between the two films. Everyone we meet in this film are distant relatives of each other (excluding Hendricks and Crosby) which I guess makes the idea that Joyce and Charlie having a relationship wouldn’t be that strange. It is clear in both films that Charlie and Fred (or Harry as he’s known in the 1973 version) are both in love with our heiress but it is kept much more subtle in the 1939 film than in its 1973 counterpart. Particularly as the pair of them actually get into a physical fight whereas in its predecessor they only have a hushed argument. There is also a conversation that takes place between Annabelle and Harry that does not happen in the 1939 version, and it is made more obvious that they had a relationship – whereas it is only mentioned in the previous film that Fred has feelings for Joyce.
Black/White vs Colour
I’m going to keep this brief because for me it’s pretty simple with a story of this type which works better. In both films, the reading of the will is taking place on a stormy night – which in my opinion, being filmed in black and white adds to the tension of the film in the 1939 version. Truthfully, I actually think black and white would have benefited the 1973 film, especially with how sinister Dr Hendricks comes across when he is informing the family of ‘The Cat’.
Ministry of the Obvious
Something I really enjoy about the 1939 film is how very little is actually shown to the viewer. For example, we see very little of the killer throughout the film until he is unmasked at the end – a simple hand through a trapped door to steal the necklace or covering Crosby’s mouth whereas in the 1973 version we can see full silhouettes of ‘The Cat’ in both of these instances.
In Conclusion
I guess it’s becoming a little bit of a trait of mine to enjoy the original over the remake. However, this is a little different – I prefer the first remake over the second remake. It’s a mixture of things if I’m completely honest but I am thankful for the fact that the 1973 version isn’t a word for word copy of the 1939 film. Everything is a little more in your face with the second remake, so it leaves nothing to the imagination. There’s also a longer explanation at the end of the film which I feel is a little too much. Also, just a little side note, there is no matching the comedy of Bob Hope.
