Directed by: Paul Leni

Synopsis: Eccentric millionaire Cyrus West leaves a will to be opened twenty years after his death, plus a letter to be opened only if the will is not carried out according to his wishes. Twenty years after his death, the relatives gather in his spooky mansion to hear the reading of the will. Everything goes to the young and beautiful Annabelle West (Laura La Plante) which leads to murder, intrigue and some spooky moments, both funny and genuine. Oh, and did we mention there’s a lunatic who thinks he’s a cat on the loose?

Kitty Cameos: At the beginning of the movie we hear about how Cyrus West was tormented by his hovering relatives, likening him to a canary being surrounded by cats. A nifty multiple-exposure shot illustrates this with Mr. West being surrounded by giant medicine bottles and several giant black cats.

Faux Cat: Later in the film when Paul Jones (Creighton Hale) arrives in his car, he comes upon a black cat with glowing eyes on the road. But wait a minute . . . this cat hardly moves at all! And those eyes are glowing when the cat’s face isn’t even facing the headlights! The cat appears to be a fake or stuffed cat with eyes that glowed.

Behind the Scenes

This was yet another Universal Picture which apparently encouraged the holding of black cat contests at the screening of the film (as we covered in our Special Feature Calling All Black Cats). One theater advertised a Black Cat Matinee in which patrons were offered free admission if they brought an all-black cat to the theater. At least in this instance the theater stated that the cats would be returned that same evening.

Despite the title of the film and the cat-like claws of the assailant, cats really have nothing much to do with the story. But at least some of the advertising did feature felines.

Final Mewsings: Greedy relatives give cats a bad name.

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