The Cat and the Canary (1927) at Ufa Filmnachte

Experience a landmark of silent horror cinema at Berlin's Ufa Filmnachte. Paul Leni's 1927 adaptation of John Willard's black-comedy play blends German Expressionist visuals with dark humor, creating the template for the "old dark house" genre. The film follows heiress Annabelle West as she and her greedy relatives gather in a decaying mansion for the reading of a will, only to be terrorized by an escaped lunatic known as the Cat.

Attendees can expect a night of atmospheric storytelling, with Leni's signature expressionist style—shadowy corridors, secret passages, and a haunting performance by Laura La Plante as Annabelle. The film is considered a cornerstone of Universal's early horror output, influencing decades of haunted-house thrillers. This screening is part of Ufa Filmnachte's curated programme of classic cinema, offering a rare chance to see a silent-era gem on the big screen.

The film's plot involves a second will mysteriously appearing in a safe, a hidden diamond necklace, and a hairy hand emerging from a secret passage. The Cat is revealed to be Charlie Wilder in disguise, with a guard as his accomplice, driving Annabelle insane to inherit the fortune.