The house used in The Cat and the Canary (1978) was also used in The Omen (1976) (Gregory Peck) as the ambassador's home.
"The Cat and the Canary (1978)" title is referenced in John Willard's source play where wealthy eccentric, Cyrus West, says of his family members, "I have watched my wealth as if they were cats, and I, a canary".
The play on which this film is based opened in New York at the National Theatre on 7th February 1922 where it played for 148 performances until May 1922.
The character of Crosby the lawyer was originally male and the role was offered to James Mason. After a number of actors passed, the role was changed to female and Wendy Hiller got the part.