The Cat and the Canary
(1912) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by George L. Cox
Cast: Frank Weed [Hiram Barnaby], Vera Hamilton [Matilda Scaggins], Mrs. Frank Weed
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by George L. Cox. / Released 2 July 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In one of the quaint, easy going, picturesque little villages of New Hampshire, there are a row of little, neatly-kept, vine-covered cottages, which have been occupied for many generations by that lovable type of New England folk, whose lives, pleasures and pastimes are as simple as the homes in which they live. Matilda Scaggins, an old spinster, and Hiram Barnaby, an old bachelor, have lived in two of these adjoining cottages for over twenty years, and during all that time have been good neighbors. But they come suddenly to the parting of the ways and all on account of their two pets, a canary and a cat. Matilda’s cat has been stolen by a party of mischievous boys and the same day Hiram’s birdcage is blown down by the wind and the canary escapes. Hiram accuses Matilda’s cat of having devoured his pet, and this starts a seven days’ feud on the hitherto quiet little walk. The cat escapes from her youthful tormentors, but in doing so suffers a broken foot. Hiram finds the cat outside his cottage, and, in his anger, is just on the verge of revenging himself with the aid of a bootjack, when he notices the cat’s injured foot. His sympathetic heart gets the best of his anger and he carefully sets and bandages the broken member, after which he returns same to Matilda. That night the canary, tiring of its stolen vacation, returns to its cage, and once more Hiram and Matilda resume their neighborly relations, and everything is serene along the walk.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 20 November 2022.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 98 : Website-IMDb.
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