WORLD OF MONSTERS: November 2024

Universal got a good amount of traction with their "old dark house" horror/mysteries over the course of a couple of decades. Beginning with THE CAT AND THE CANARY in 1927, they went on to the re-make, THE CAT CREEPS in 1930 (the title was used again for a 1946 mystery film which was a remake of 1941's HORROR ISLAND). And, of course, there was THE OLD DARK HOUSE in 1932.

The Black Cat window card.

Similarly, they adopted their "inspired by the story by Edgar Allan Poe" idea for the controversial Karloff/Lugosi vehicle THE BLACK CAT in 1934, now enjoying it's 90th anniversary this year. With a B-list budget of $176,000, they used the title again in 1941 for a horror/comedy, trotting out Basil Rathbone, Broderick "Brod" Crawford, Alan Ladd, Gale Sondergaard, Anne "House of Frankenstein" Gwynne and Bela Lugosi. Taking a cue from Paramount's own version of THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1939) starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Gale Sondergaard (!), U was aware of its modest success and decided to try it themselves.

The plot is a well-worn version of the "reading of the will" trope, complete with greedy heirs, red herrings and some lukewarm comedy to help it along. Bela Lugosi plays a small part as Eduardo Vidos, with no other apparent reason except to use him as a name-draw. Like many other lower-budget films of its type, it has its moments, especially with the camerawork by Stanley Cortez.

The Black Cat one-sheet poster.

Released on 2 May 1941, it was met with tepid reviews and became obvious by then that, after 14 years, U had tapped out the use of the plot device. It got another run in 1947 through Realart Pictures.