The Uncanny (1977)

Wilbur Gray, a horror writer, has stumbled upon a terrible secret, that cats are supernatural creatures who really call the shots. In a desperate attempt to get others to believe him, Wilbur spews three tales of feline horror.

Director:

Denis Héroux

Writer:

Michel Parry (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Cushing, Ray Milland, Joan Greenwood

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Cushing	...	Wilbur
Ray Milland	...	Frank Richards
Joan Greenwood	...	Miss Malkin (segment "London 1912")
Roland Culver	...	Wallace (segment "London 1912")
Susan Penhaligon	...	Janet (segment "London 1912")
Simon Williams	...	Michael (segment "London 1912")
Alexandra Stewart	...	Mrs. Blake (segment "Quebec Province 1975")
Donald Pilon	...	Mr. Blake (segment "Quebec Province 1975")
Chloe Franks	...	Angela (segment "Quebec Province 1975")
Katrina Holden Bronson	...	Lucy (segment "Quebec Province 1975") (as Katrina Holden)
Renée Girard	...	Mrs. Maitland (segment "Quebec Province 1975")
Donald Pleasence	...	Valentine De'ath (segment "Hollywood 1936")
Samantha Eggar	...	Edina (segment "Hollywood 1936")
John Vernon	...	Pomeroy (segment "Hollywood 1936")
Catherine Bégin	...	Madeleine (segment "Hollywood 1936")

Storyline

Wilbur Gray visits Frank Richards so he can get his book published. This book Gray has written are about cats. Cats watching everyone and controlling everything. He mentions the stories in the book are all true, and gives three examples. The first involves the murder of a cat-loving old woman who gives her entire fortune in her will to her cats. Not everyone is happy about the wills, but would have to get past the cats to get the the will. The second story is a tale of black magic between two girls and the third story is a tale of murderous revenge... by a cat.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | death | murder | witchcraft | pendulum | 

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Taglines:

A trilogy of feline terror!

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Genres:

Horror

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Details

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1977 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Brrr...

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinévidéo, Rank Organisation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Uncanny" is the fifth Milton Subotsky film in which a character has the name "Maitland" ("Mrs. Maitland" played by Renee Girard). The others are "And Now The Screaming Starts" (1973) in which Guy Rolfe plays "Maitland;" "Tales From the Crypt" (1972) in which Ian Hendry plays "Carl Maitland;" "The Skull" (1965) which top-bills Peter Cushing as "Dr. Christopher Maitland;" and the earliest, "City of the Dead" (aka "Horror Hotel," 1960) in which Tom Naylor plays "Bill Maitland."

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Quotes

Lucy: Wellington? Wellington? Where are you Wellington?

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Connections

References The Wizard of Gore (1970)

User Reviews

Creaky but enjoyable.

An anthology containing three tales used by a writer (played by Peter Cushing) in an attempt to warn people that cats are the real rulers of the world. The first story involves a woman who, after suffocating to death her tyrannical employer, is trapped in the house by the employer's vengeful army of cats. The second story is based around the daughter of a witch who comes to live with an adopted family, complete with her late mother's black cat. The third story involves a cat exacting revenge upon its sadistic owner. Though some of the special effects leave something to be desired, the first two stories are well-written and entertaining. The third tale is only okay, but overall the anthology is well worth seeing.