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Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)

APPROVED 64 min  -  Drama | Film-Noir  -   16 August 1940 (USA)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 1,354 users  
Reviews: 53 user | 28 critic

An aspiring reporter is the key witness at the murder trial of a young man accused of cutting a café owner's throat and is soon accused of a similar crime himself.

Director:

Boris Ingster

Writer:

Frank Partos (story), and 1 more credit »

Stars:

Peter Lorre, John McGuire and Margaret Tallichet
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Lorre ...
The Stranger
John McGuire John McGuire ...
Michael 'Mike' Ward
Margaret Tallichet Margaret Tallichet ...
Jane
Charles Waldron Charles Waldron ...
District Attorney
Elisha Cook Jr. ...
Joe Briggs
Charles Halton Charles Halton ...
Albert Meng
Ethel Griffies Ethel Griffies ...
Mrs. Kane, Michael's Landlady
Cliff Clark Cliff Clark ...
Martin
Oscar O'Shea Oscar O'Shea ...
The Judge
Alec Craig Alec Craig ...
Briggs' Defense Attorney
Otto Hoffman Otto Hoffman ...
Charles Evans, the Police Surgeon
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Rising reporter Michael Ward is a key witness in the murder trial of young Joe Briggs, who is convicted on circumstantial evidence while swearing innocence. Mike's girl Jane believes in Joe and blames Mike, who (in a remarkable sequence) dreams he is himself convicted of murdering his nosy neighbor. Will his dream come true before Jane can find the real murderer? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Trial | Reporter | Murder | Murder Trial | Dream  | See more »

Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El desconegut del tercer pis See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$171,200 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Lorre owed RKO two days on his contract and was given this role with few scenes and few lines, but received top billing. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: on the rainy night when Ward and Jane for the first time go to the room he's renting we may notice different water stains on his coat in consequent shots. The left sleeve is dry before they enter the room, once they get inside coat's sleeves are wet. See more »

Quotes

The Stranger: I want a couple of hamburgers... and I'd like them raw.
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Connections

Featured in The Rules of Film Noir (2009) See more »