It is said that within three generations after our death, most people will not even remember we even existed at all. Allowing that to process for a moment, do not get too depressed, because none of this diminishes who we are as people. This being said, it feels as if the rate at which one is forgotten in the present day is significantly higher than ever before. Why? Because of a growing conceited, egoistical cultural movement that thinks – the past is the past, we are better, wiser, and more advanced. Something that would make a wiser person shake their head in disbelief, it is up to the living to carry on the stories, accomplishments, and memories of those who came before… otherwise what culture do we have to look back on?
In the world of film, most do not look back into video libraries further than two decades earlier of their own birth… so where does this leave cinema innovations that took place a century or more before? Well, it leaves them on the fringe of vanishing into obscurity forever, but thankfully there are those who care enough to try and preserve this richly fascinating past. Case and point, independent distributor Eureka Entertainment has gone out of their way to bring early films to the forefront of the modern world. A wonderful contribution to providing education, they have a Master of Cinema series which specializes in curating Blu-ray and DVD collections of classic/world films utilizing the best available materials possible. With this, they offer films in original aspect ratio, with transfers that restore each far better than what anyone could imagine.
Rather special if you take the time to think about it, one of their latest releases in this series highlights a very important part of Horror film history… The Cat and the Canary. Originally released in 1927, and now available for the first time ever in 4K as of April 23, 2024, The Cat and the Canary may sound familiar to some; because it was actually redone in 1939 in a film starring Bob Hope. Still perhaps a little too far back for the average movie watcher, providing further insight, The Cat and the Canary is an adaptation of John Willard’s 1922 play of the same name, and in many ways, the 1927 film laid the foundation for haunted house features that became quite popular in the 1930s. A time when Universal Horror built a legacy we still adore to this day, The Cat and the Canary truly provided a magnificent blueprint for the future of motion pictures.
A film directed by Paul Leni (a key figure in German Expressionism of the early 20th century), it features a stunning cast that included the lovely Laura La Plante (one of Universal Pictures biggest stars in their early years) and Creighton Hale (a legendary actor with a career that lasted over 50 years). Just two of the names that should be remembered from this talented team, what truly makes The Cat and the Canary excel is, not La Plante and Hale, as well as fellow castmate performances, but the stunningly artistic cinematography of Gilbert Warrenton. A man who worked on over 150 films before he died in 1980, it is Warrenton’s eye for creative camera work, matched with Leni’s direction, that make The Cat and the Canary visually outstanding. Creating a dark, ominous mood, lightened by a keen sense of humor, even nearly 100 years later, it holds up extremely well.
Truly a Gothic Horror pioneering piece of work, but also a must-see historical gem, this newly released set from Eureka is quite breathtaking. In all, they give you a 4K digital restoration on a Blu-ray disc of The Cat and the Canary. Taken directly from the original camera negatives supplied by The Museum of Modern Art, the fact that they were able to restore the film to this pristine quality, from elements nearly a century old, is remarkable. In fact, if you are someone who is not much of a fan of modern technologies, this is one instance where it is put to good use. Also, since this is a silent film which relies heavily on the soundtrack, it was re-scored exceptionally well by Robert Israel. Presented in 5.1 audio, it is synchronized and edited by Gillian B. Anderson, based on music cue sheets compiled and issued for the original 1927 release.
All of these factors laid out, this new Blu-ray edition release also has substantial supplementary content; such as audio commentaries, interviews with film critics, and more. Presented with a nice cardboard slipcover, there is also a well-written book by several authors inside the package that gives you plenty of thoughts and insight to the film. Overall, everyone who worked on putting this new edition of The Cat and the Canary shows that there is still a glint of hope for historical preservation in a millisecond attention span world. Something for viewers of all ages, you will walk away from The Cat and the Canary reminded that, sure we have shiny gadgets, but those that came before us possessed levels of intelligence and artistic inclinations that are in no way inferior. That is why Cryptic Rock praise this release, giving the newly released 4K Blu-ray Special Edition of The Cat and the Canary 5 out of 5 stars.
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