THE CAT AND THE CANARY
[STAGE-PLAY]
As a play John Willard’s thriller was one of the biggest successes of the 1920s. As a film Paul
Leni’s 1927 adaptation is considered an authentic precursor of Universal’s horror cycle of the
Thirties. But as a radio play it’s hardly been on the map, with only two adaptations discovered to
date.
[CHRONOLOGY]
MOLLE MYSTERY THEATRE (WEAF, NEW YORK—NBC)
[Tuesday--
March 7, 1944 “The Cat and the Canary”
[BERKELEY DAILY GAZETTE: “…A mysterious will read at midnight, 20
years after the author’s death in a haunted house, will be the theme of
‘Cat and the Canary’…”]
SATURDAY NIGHT THEATRE (HOME SERVICE, LONDON—BBC)
[Saturday—9:15-10:45 PM]
February 26, 1955 “The Cat and the Canary”
[“…Nottingham Playhouse Company in John Willard’s melodrama…”]
SCRIPT: Victor Menzies (adapted from the stage play by John Willard).
PERSONNEL: Victor Menzies (producer).