Character Relationship Map: The Uncanny

Characters

• Wilbur Gray (segment "Montreal 1977") (played by Peter Cushing) — protagonist

  A writer who believes cats are supernatural beings acting as the devil's agents. He researches their alleged control over humans, shares three cautionary tales with his publisher, and ultimately falls...

• Frank Richards (segment "Montreal 1977") (played by Ray Milland) — protagonist

  Wilbur Gray's publisher. He listens to the writer's theories about cats and their three historical tales. In the conclusion, he is brainwashed by the felines to destroy Wilbur's manuscript.

• Janet (segment "London 1912") (played by Susan Penhaligon) — supporting

  A wealthy woman's maid and her nephew's mistress. She attempts to steal and destroy a will favoring cats over the nephew. After murdering the mistress, she is hunted and killed by the vengeful cats.

• Miss Malkin (segment "London 1912") (played by Joan Greenwood) — supporting

  An affluent heiress who bequeaths her entire fortune to her cats. She discovers her maid's plot to destroy the will, is murdered by the maid, and her death triggers the feline vengeance storyline.

• Edina Hamilton (segment "Hollywood 1936") (played by Samantha Eggar) — minor
• Michael (segment "London 1912") (played by Simon Williams) — supporting

  The disinherited nephew of Miss Malkin. He arrives at the estate searching for his lover Janet following her disappearance, only to fall victim to the cats' vengeance alongside her.

• Valentine De'ath (segment "Hollywood 1936") (played by Donald Pleasence) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Valentine De'ath (segment "Hollywood 1936") → Edina Hamilton (segment "Hollywood 1936") (Romantic Mistress) — Actor and his mistress share an ambitious romantic entanglement.
• Janet (segment "London 1912") → Michael (segment "London 1912") (Romantic Mistress) — Romantic partners conspiring over the inheritance dispute.
• Miss Malkin (segment "London 1912") → Janet (segment "London 1912") (Professional Employer) — Employer and maid relationship centered around estate management and will security.
• Miss Malkin (segment "London 1912") → Michael (segment "London 1912") (Family Aunt) — Wealthy aunt disinheriting her nephew in favor of her pets.
• Wilbur Gray (segment "Montreal 1977") → Frank Richards (segment "Montreal 1977") (Professional Publisher) — Author and publisher collaborating on a manuscript about feline supernaturalism.

Story Analysis

Three tales of feline supernatural vengeance support a writer's theory before cats control the final framing narrative.

Plot Progression

1. The Cat Theory — A writer presents his supernatural theory of cats and describes being watched and stalked. He introduces three tales as supporting evidence.
2. A Will Written in Blood — A disputed will creates a struggle over wealth in London. Murder is followed by brutal feline vengeance against those connected to the crime.
3. The Witchcraft Revenge — An orphan loses her cat after a jealous accusation by her cousin. She turns to a witchcraft book and transforms the cousin as punishment.
4. The Pendulum Murder — A staged film device becomes a real murder weapon in Hollywood. The victim's cat retaliates against the conspirators and their treatment of its kittens.
5. The Final Feline Command — The framing narrative returns to Montreal, where cats brainwash the publisher. The research is burned and the writer meets his demise.