Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Uncanny (1977)

A superbly weird horror anthology. Wilbur (Peter Cushing) is convinced that mankind's greatest enemy is... the domestic cat! He has compiled a large portfolio of evidence and is trying to get it published by Richards (Ray Millard)... who unfortunately for Wilbur's nerves has a cat! Wilbur tells three stories to demonstrate the feline menace...

The first takes place in Edwardian England. Miss Malkin (Joan Greenwood) is having her will rewritten to give everything to her many cats and not her feckless nephew Michael (Simon Williams). The maid Janet (Susan Penhaligon) is in league with Michael and schemes to get rid of the will. One copy is destroyed but Janet is foiled by Malkin and the cats to destroy the other. Michael and Janet's scheme has deadly consequences...

In the second story we switch to modern day (well 1970s) Quebec. Lucy (Katrina Holden Bronson) has moved in with her cruel aunt (Alexander Stewart) and even crueller cousin (Chloe Franks) after the death of her parents. All Lucy has is her cat... and a knowledge of witchcraft which comes in handy...

The final story takes place in 1930s Hollywood. After the death of Valentine De'ath's (Donald Pleasence) wife in an accident on the film set, he gets his mistress (Samantha Eggar) into the film instead. However, his wife's cat isn't going to let them get away with it...

A ridiculous premise maybe but the three stories are suitably creepy and camp. There is plenty of gore, some slightly dodgy (though sufficient) special effects and plenty of cheese. Also look out for a photo of Donald Pleasence in his Bond film Blofeld guise!