The Cat and the Canary/The Ghost Breakers (Blu-ray Review)

Rather a special new set, boasting two charming horror comedies from 1939 and 1940 on a single disc. Of course, this means the bonus features are a little sparse, with only an interview with Kim Newman for each film. But the films speak for themselves.

The Cat and The Canary is perhaps the more well known. A collection of heirs gather in a creepy house to see who is lucky enough to inherit their deceased uncle's fortune. Two letters are provided by the lawyer, one saying the first heir, and the second, only to be opened in the occasion of the first heir's death, stating the next in line. Coincidentally there is also a man gallivanting about having escaped from a local asylum, and the house itself has a bit of a murky and mysterious history. Hijinks ensue.

Perhaps not as funny as one might expect, it's riddled with plot holes and ends up something like an episode of Scooby Doo, but it's still good fun. A familiar story of mystery; who is taking out the houseguests one by one? And how many of them will survive the night? You'd be hard pushed not to sit and compare it to any number of other “ghost stories” that have come both later and earlier. The real selling point is the charming performances and the snappy runtime. Never taking itself too seriously, even our hero Wally (Bob Hope) leans more towards the self-deprecating and unwilling than the heroic. It's an unusual choice that makes him all the more endearing.

The Ghost Breakers continues this tradition. Hope again appears as Larry Lawrence, opposite the same leading lady from Canary, Paulette Goddard. In both films she is the heir apparent, and in each he finds himself accidentally protecting her from chaotic forces. The Ghost Breakers leans firmly into its comedy reputation though, and it is so, so funny. Of course, it's a silly type of humour – one liners and stereotypes abound – but again the short runtime adds to its ability to stick those jokes confidently.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of The Ghost Breakers is the importance given to a Black character, Alex (Willie Best) at the centre of it. Admittedly a very stereotyped character, he is by no means modern or without issue. However, the fact that he is given the screen-time and the dialogue and import he is, can't go without comment. The real tragedy is how surprising his inclusion is in a film of this age.

This new set is an accessible, enjoyable and brilliantly fun new release. The fact that two films are included in the one release makes it excellent value and you'd be hard pushed to find a better way to spend a couple of winter evenings.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Limited Edition slipcase [2000 copies]
• 1080p presentation of both films from scans of the original film elements supplied by Universal, with The Ghost Breakers presented from a new 2K master
• Optional English SDH
• Brand new audio commentary tracks on both films with Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby
• Kim Newman on “The Cat and the Canary” and “The Ghost Breakers”
• “The Ghost Breakers” 1949 radio adaptation
• Trailers
• Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
• A limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing by Craig Ian Mann [2000 copies]

The Cat and The Canary and The Ghost Breakers are out on Blu-ray from Eureka now.