Das Unheimliche

The horror anthology has fallen out of favour in the last few decades which is something of a shame, they could be wildly entertaining and some horror concepts (especially those which lack budget which is pretty clearly the case here) work better as short vignettes rather than full length features. They also star some great character actors who obviously come in for a days work, here we have the excellent Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasance, John Vernon and Ray Milland. It's ironic that after making this Cushing and Pleasance both went on to mega success with Star Wars and Halloween. What I don't get is why people reviewing this say that the concept is that cats are 'evil'? In every story all they try to do is either protect or avenge the wrongs suffered by their beloved human keepers? (I almost used the word 'masters' but this film establishes what we all suspected, it's actually the other way around). Plus the world secretly run by cats seems to be a pretty good place, I mean what are they going to force us all to do, give them extra helpings of cream? All dogs to be kept on leads? More belly rubs?

The Uncanny (1977, Dir. Denis Heroux)

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.

How many horror movies do you get where cats are the murder suspect? Not many. That's why this movie could come off being simply a bit silly. It isn't very scary, with not many jumps (most of the jumps rely on cats paws appearing). Plus, it seems more comedic than frighting. But, it is still very fun to watch. There's not many films you see like this, and although it won't win any positive awards, i found it very entertaining to watch.

"Wellington? Wellington? Where are you Wellington?" - Lucy (Katrina Holden)

Although quite amusing in parts due to the bad special effects this film was still very entertaining (in a good way) and I actually enjoyed the second story the most.

Was a shame that Peter Cushing didn't have larger role.

Interesting to see themes of witchcraft/magic being brought into a film about evil cats, although the blood did look very fake, as did the scene with the older girl fighting the cat.

Definately a good film for cat lovers! Why they never made an The Uncanny 2 is a mystery...

Rating: 8/10.

In 1977, in Montreal, the scared writer Wilbur Gray (Peter Cushing) visits his publisher Frank Richards (Ray 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 (Joan Greenwood) is a wealthy woman that rewrites her will leaving her fortune to her cats rather than to her nephew Michael (Simon Williams). Her maid Janet (Susan Penhaligon), 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 and the cats revenge Miss Malkin.

In 1975, in the Province of Quebec, the orphan Lucy (Katrina Holden) comes to live with her aunt Mrs. Blake (Alexandra Stewart), her husband and her cuisine Angela (Chloe Frank) after the death of her parents in a plane crash. Lucy brings her only friend, the cat Wellington, but her mean cuisine forces her parents to get rid off Wellington. Lucy uses the witchcraft book of her mother to revenge Wellington.

In 1936, in Hollywood, the actor Valentine Death (Donald Pleasence) 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. The cat of his wife revenges her.

In spite of having great names, such as Ray Milland, Peter Cushing, Samantha Eggar and Donald Pleasence among others, the lead story of the afraid writer and his publisher is very weak and silly. With regard to the three tales, the first one is too long; the second one is far the best; and the last one is only reasonable. The soundtrack is very repetitive, monotonous and boring. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A Maldição dos Gatos" ("The Curse of the Cats")

THE UNCANNY is another horror anthology film from Amicus studios. In the wraparound story, Wilbur (Peter Cushing) is a man with a distinct fear of cats. The three tales he tells to his friend Frank (Ray Milland) illustrate the grounds for his terror.

In LONDON 1912- The aged Miss Malkin (Joan Greenwood) decides to leave her fortune to her large number of cats. Of course, her greedy nephew and the unscrupulous maid (Simon Williams and Susan Penhaligon) have other ideas, leading to skullduggery, death, and ferocious feline intervention! This one has a nice, EC comics-style ending!

In QUEBEC PROVINCE 1975- Young Lucy (Katrina Holden Bronson) and her cat, Wellington, move in with her aunt (Alexandra Stewart) after the passing of her parents. Lucy's insufferably bratty cousin, Angela (Chloe Franks) does her best to make life miserable, not knowing that there's far more to Lucy -and Wellington!- than she or her oblivious parents could imagine. For lovers of occult creepiness and comeuppance!

In HOLLYWOOD 1936- When horror movie actor, Valentine De'ath (Donald Pleasence) loses his wife and latest co-star, Madeleine (Catherine Begin) in a tragic "accident", he suggests her stand-in, Edina Hamilton (Samantha Eggar) for the part. Of course, all is not as it appears to be, and Valentine and Edina are in for a very rude awakening, delivered by Madeleine's faithful, highly intelligent kitty. Pleasence and Eggar have a blast hamming it up for this segment! Co-stars John Vernon.

The wraparound concludes, proving all too late that Wilbur has good reason to be afraid. This is quite good, and arguably the best killer cat movie ever made!...