The Cat and the Canary (1939) in Color — Starring Bob Hope & Paulette Goddard

The Cat and the Canary (1939) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the side-splitting haunted-house hilarity of The Cat and the Canary (1939), now available as a professionally colorized digital download for only €15.00. Directed by Elliott Nugent and starring Bob Hope in his breakout comedy role alongside the luminous Paulette Goddard, this horror-comedy gem transforms the classic old-dark-house mystery into an uproarious evening of scares and laughs. Download instantly in DRM-free MP4 format and enjoy Bob Hope’s legendary comedic timing in vivid color on any device.

Plot Summary

Ten years after the death of the eccentric millionaire Cyrus Norman, his remaining relatives are summoned to his crumbling mansion deep in the Louisiana bayou for the reading of his will. Among the assembled heirs is Wally Campbell, a fast-talking radio actor played by Bob Hope, who accompanies his cousin Joyce Norman, the beautiful Paulette Goddard. When the family lawyer Crosby reads the will, Joyce is named sole heir to the vast Norman fortune, but there is a catch — a second envelope containing an alternate heir must be opened if Joyce is declared insane before midnight.

As darkness falls over the decaying estate, terror strikes when the lawyer is dragged into a secret passage by a mysterious claw-like hand and vanishes without a trace. The remaining guests learn that a dangerous lunatic known only as “The Cat” has escaped from a nearby asylum and is believed to be lurking somewhere in the mansion. One by one, the heirs begin to disappear through hidden doorways and concealed tunnels that honeycomb the old house.

Wally, despite his relentless cowardice, appoints himself Joyce’s protector and stumbles through cobwebbed corridors, encounters ghostly apparitions, and narrowly escapes the clutches of the prowling maniac. Meanwhile, suspicion mounts among the remaining relatives, each of whom has a motive to drive Joyce mad and claim the inheritance. The scheming Aunt Susan, the brooding Charlie Wilder, and the nervous Cicily all fall under suspicion as bodies pile up and secret passages reveal unexpected connections between rooms.

The tension builds to a breathless climax as Wally faces the Cat in a final confrontation in the mansion’s hidden underground chamber, unmasking the true villain and saving Joyce from both madness and murder. With its perfect blend of genuine chills, rapid-fire wisecracks, and romantic chemistry between Hope and Goddard, the film delivers a masterclass in comedic horror that keeps audiences laughing and gasping in equal measure.

Cast & Crew

Director: Elliott Nugent

Stars: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, John Beal, Douglass Montgomery, Gale Sondergaard, Elizabeth Patterson, Nydia Westman, George Zucco

Bob Hope delivers the performance that launched him to superstardom, perfecting the lovable coward persona that would define his career. Paulette Goddard brings elegance and fearless determination as the imperiled heiress, while Gale Sondergaard provides genuine menace as the sinister housekeeper Miss Lu. George Zucco lends gravitas as the doomed lawyer, and Nydia Westman provides delightful comic support as the perpetually terrified Cicily.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized restoration transforms the shadowy bayou mansion into a visual feast of atmospheric detail. The eerie green glow of the swamp, the rich mahogany paneling of the old house, and the vivid costumes of each suspect spring to life in carefully researched period-accurate hues. Bob Hope’s expressive reactions gain new comedic power when rendered in full color, while the lurking shadows of hidden passages become even more menacing against warmly lit parlor scenes. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for €15.00 — instant DRM-free digital download, compatible with all MP4-capable devices.

Historical Significance

Released in 1939, The Cat and the Canary stands as a pivotal film in both the horror-comedy genre and Bob Hope’s legendary career. Based on John Willard’s 1922 Broadway play and serving as a loose remake of the acclaimed 1927 silent version directed by Paul Leni, the film updated the old-dark-house formula with screwball comedy pacing that revolutionized how horror and humor could coexist on screen. It was the first of several successful Hope-Goddard pairings and directly inspired their follow-up The Ghost Breakers (1940). The film’s influence can be traced through decades of haunted-house comedies, from Abbott and Costello to Scooby-Doo. Through colorization, this landmark comedy-horror classic is preserved for modern audiences who can now experience Hope’s star-making performance in vibrant new detail.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, frame-by-frame restoration
• Audio: Original English mono
• Runtime: 73 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes
• Instant download: Yes
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: What inspired the title The Cat and the Canary?
A: The title comes from eccentric millionaire Cyrus Norman’s metaphor for his greedy relatives, whom he compared to hungry cats circling a helpless canary — himself. The imagery captures the predatory atmosphere of the inheritance plot perfectly.

Q: How did this film launch Bob Hope’s movie career?
A: While Hope was already known on radio and Broadway, his portrayal of the lovable coward Wally Campbell showcased his rapid-fire delivery and physical comedy to movie audiences for the first time, making him a bankable leading man overnight.

Q: Is this film connected to the 1927 silent version?
A: Both are adapted from John Willard’s 1922 stage play, but the 1939 version adds significant comedy and updates the story with sound-era techniques, creating a distinctly different experience from Paul Leni’s Expressionist silent classic.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in HD 720p resolution, playable on virtually any modern device.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
A: Yes, the download is completely DRM-free for your personal, non-commercial use.

Q: How quickly will I receive my download?
A: You will receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after purchase, with a backup link sent to your email.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Ghost Breakers (1940)
• The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
• Topper (1937)
• Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
• The Old Dark House (1932)