The Black Cat

The Black Cat is a 1941 American comedy horror and mystery film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Basil Rathbone. The film was a hybrid of style: being inspired by comedy "Old Dark House" films of the era as well as the 1843 short story "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe. It stars Basil Rathbone as Montague Hartley, the head of a greedy family who await the death of Henrietta Winslow (played by Cecilia Loftus) so that they can inherit her fortune. When she is found murdered, an investigation begins into who might be the culprit. Alongside Rathbone and Loftus, the film's cast includes Hugh Herbert, Broderick Crawford, and Bela Lugosi. Initially set to start filming in January 1941, the film was delayed twice with the script being re-written by comedy writers Robert Lees and Frederic I. Rinaldo and having some last minute cast changes. It officially began filming on February 17 and finished filming on March 10. It was released to lukewarm reviews from The Hollywood Reporter, The Film Daily and The New York Daily News. Plot Cat lady Henrietta Winslow calls her family to her creepy estate. Seeing their arrival, realtor Gil Smith and antiques dealer Mr. Penny sneak onto the estate. She leaves half her fortune to her niece Myrna, the other half to her granddaughter Margaret, and the estate to her granddaughter Elaine. Myrna's husband Montague gets $10,000. Gil's cat allergy exposes the presence of the two, and they are brought inside. Henrietta is furious when she realizes that Montague sent for Smith and Penny and intends to break up the estate. Gil saves Henrietta's life after realizing her milk has been poisoned. Henrietta then reveals that no money is to be distributed until faithful servant Abigail dies as well. That night, one of Henrietta's cats is poisoned. She cremates it in the furnace, and is herself killed. Abigail orders everyone off the estate, but they refuse. Montague's son Richard discovers that his father is having an affair with Margaret and threatens to tell Myrna.