Yes, I was watching intently the scene from
The Black Cat where they have the satanic ritual and did spot Symona. A far cry from getting pies splattered in her face by the stooges, I would say.
The one thing I would say about
The Black Cat, is that it's definitely the more methodical of the 2 films. Maybe "Cat" works on a more cerebral or artistic level--I'm not sure how exactly to word it. I think the thing that works more for me in
The Raven is the "fun" factor--something I point to when I explain my love for the 1940s Mummy films.
And there's nothing more fun than watching Lugosi admirably chew up the scenery as he does in
The Raven or as he did with his 2 turns as Ygor.
Having said all that, I can see your points Metal, about why "Cat" is the superior of the 2 films....