The Cat and the Canary (1927)

The Cat and the Canary (1927). 1h 48m | Passed

“u0026quot;The Cat and the Canaryu0026quot; has been considered a masterpiece, and that the film is still known today is a feat in itself. It is easily my favorite silent film. Paul Leni (the director) has a great deal of prowess on films like these, and it has been admitted by others.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFirst, the sets are realistic, making this film a believable u0026quot;journey back in timeu0026quot; (it was made over 70 yrs. ago). I am shocked to hear one reviewer say this film as broadly acted and visually stunted. The sets are marvelous, especially the drawing room (it looks very nice to be part of a u0026quot;haunted houseu0026quot;). The camera work (ex. the skeleton double-exposure, the subtitles occasionally moving like a ghost) is very enjoyable, too.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAbout the acting, first get this straight: Much of the acting is quite normal. But in the fright scenes (especially by Laura La Plante), the acting has nothing wrong with it. Much of it is very funny (contrary to common belief). Flora Finch (Aunt Susan) is funny as the gossiper, and Creighton Hale as Paul is cute. Why do most of you find the broad acting painful to watch? If you canu0026#39;t find silent films enjoyable, all I can tell you is, tough luck. Classic films are as a general rule better than the new ones, but even new films can be very good.”