The Uncanny (film)
Encyclopedia
The Uncanny is a 1977 British portmanteau horror film, concerning feline revenge. The film was written by Michael Parry, directed by Denis Héroux
and stars Peter Cushing
, Donald Pleasence
, Ray Milland
, Joan Greenwood
, Donald Pilon, Samantha Eggar
, and John Vernon
.
Although it is similar to the horror anthologies released by Amicus Productions
and could be mistaken as one, it was actually distributed by The Rank Organisation. The film was originally giving an X-rating.
In 1912, in London, Miss Malkin is a wealthy woman that rewrites her will leaving her fortune to her cats rather than to her nephew Michael. Her maid Janet, also mistress of Michael, steals one copy of the will from the lawyer's briefcase and tries to destroy the original copy which is kept in the safe. When Miss Malkin sees her attempt, Janet kills her but the cats ultimately avenge Miss Malkin.
In 1975, in the Province of Quebec, the orphan Lucy comes to live with her aunt Mrs. Blake, her husband and her cousin Angela after the death of her parents in a plane crash. Lucy brings her only friend, a cat called Wellington, but her mean cousin forces her parents to get rid of it. Lucy uses her mother's book of witchcraft to get her revenge.
In 1936, in Hollywood, the actor Valentine De'Ath (Donald Pleasance) replaces the blade of a fake pendulum to kill his wife and also actress and give a chance to his young mistress and aspirant actress. His wife's rcat avenges her.
Finally, Gray leaves the manuscript of his book with Richards, but on the way home he too is killed by a group of cats. Richards' own feline supernaturally compels him to burn the book, before making its owner get it a bowl of milk. 'I can't deny you anything, can I,' says Richards, fondly.
Denis Héroux
Denis Héroux, OC is a Canadian film director and producer.-Biography:Héroux wanted to become a teacher when he collaborated with Denys Arcand and Stéphane Venne on the 1962 film about life as a student, Seul ou avec d’autres...
and stars Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the handsome but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally...
, Donald Pleasence
Donald Pleasence
Sir Donald Henry Pleasence, OBE, was a British actor who gained more than 200 screen credits during a career which spanned over four decades...
, Ray Milland
Ray Milland
Ray Milland was a Welsh actor and director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985, and he is best remembered for his Academy Award–winning portrayal of an alcoholic writer in The Lost Weekend , a sophisticated leading man opposite a corrupt John Wayne in Reap the Wild Wind , the murder-plotting...
, Joan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood was an English actress. Born in Chelsea, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her husky voice, coupled with her slow, precise elocution, was her trademark...
, Donald Pilon, Samantha Eggar
Samantha Eggar
Samantha Eggar is an English film, television and voice actress.-Early life:She was born Victoria Louise Samantha Marie Elizabeth Therese Eggar in Hampstead, London to an Anglo-Irish father and a mother of Dutch and Portuguese descent...
, and John Vernon
John Vernon
John Keith Vernon was a Canadian actor. He made a career in Hollywood after achieving initial television stardom in Canada.-Early life:...
.
Although it is similar to the horror anthologies released by Amicus Productions
Amicus Productions
Amicus Productions is a British film production company, based at Shepperton Studios, England. It was founded by American producer and screenwriter Milton Subotsky and Max Rosenberg.-Horror:...
and could be mistaken as one, it was actually distributed by The Rank Organisation. The film was originally giving an X-rating.
Plot
In 1977, in Montreal, the scared writer Wilbur Gray (Cushing) visits his publisher Frank Richards (Milland) to disclose his new book about the evilness of cats. Wilbur tells that the felines are supernatural creatures, and that there is a saying in which the cat would be the devil in disguise. Wilbur tells three tales to illustrate his thoughts:In 1912, in London, Miss Malkin is a wealthy woman that rewrites her will leaving her fortune to her cats rather than to her nephew Michael. Her maid Janet, also mistress of Michael, steals one copy of the will from the lawyer's briefcase and tries to destroy the original copy which is kept in the safe. When Miss Malkin sees her attempt, Janet kills her but the cats ultimately avenge Miss Malkin.
In 1975, in the Province of Quebec, the orphan Lucy comes to live with her aunt Mrs. Blake, her husband and her cousin Angela after the death of her parents in a plane crash. Lucy brings her only friend, a cat called Wellington, but her mean cousin forces her parents to get rid of it. Lucy uses her mother's book of witchcraft to get her revenge.
In 1936, in Hollywood, the actor Valentine De'Ath (Donald Pleasance) replaces the blade of a fake pendulum to kill his wife and also actress and give a chance to his young mistress and aspirant actress. His wife's rcat avenges her.
Finally, Gray leaves the manuscript of his book with Richards, but on the way home he too is killed by a group of cats. Richards' own feline supernaturally compels him to burn the book, before making its owner get it a bowl of milk. 'I can't deny you anything, can I,' says Richards, fondly.
Cast
- Peter CushingPeter CushingPeter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the handsome but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally...
as Wilbur Gray - Ray MillandRay MillandRay Milland was a Welsh actor and director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985, and he is best remembered for his Academy Award–winning portrayal of an alcoholic writer in The Lost Weekend , a sophisticated leading man opposite a corrupt John Wayne in Reap the Wild Wind , the murder-plotting...
as Richards - Samantha EggarSamantha EggarSamantha Eggar is an English film, television and voice actress.-Early life:She was born Victoria Louise Samantha Marie Elizabeth Therese Eggar in Hampstead, London to an Anglo-Irish father and a mother of Dutch and Portuguese descent...
as Mrs Edina Hamilton - Donald PleasenceDonald PleasenceSir Donald Henry Pleasence, OBE, was a British actor who gained more than 200 screen credits during a career which spanned over four decades...
as Valentine - John VernonJohn VernonJohn Keith Vernon was a Canadian actor. He made a career in Hollywood after achieving initial television stardom in Canada.-Early life:...
as Pomeroy - Susan PenhaligonSusan PenhaligonSusan Penhaligon is a British actress and writer, she is probably best known for her appearances in the controversial 1976 drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire and several ongoing roles in UK television series.-Early days:...
as Janet - Alexandra StewartAlexandra StewartAlexandra Stewart is a Canadian actress.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Alexandra Stewart left for Paris, France, in 1958, to study art...
as Mrs. Joan Blake