​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Elliott Nugent (September 20, 1896, Dover, Ohio - August 9, 1980, New York City) was an American actor, writer, and film director. He successfully made the transition from silent film to sound. He directed The Cat and the Canary (1939), starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. He also directed the Hope films Never Say Die (1939) and My Favorite Brunette (1947). Nugent was a college classmate (and lifelong friend) of fellow Ohioan James Thurber. Together, ...