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Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)
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Overview
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Director:
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Release Date:
16 August 1940 (USA)
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Plot:
Rising reporter Michael Ward is a key witness in the murder trial of young Joe Briggs, who is convicted...
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User Comments:
It may or may not be the first Film Noir but it's a very interesting and strange thriller whatever you call it.
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Peter Lorre | ... | The Stranger | |
| John McGuire | ... | Michael 'Mike' Ward | |
| Margaret Tallichet | ... | Jane | |
| Charles Waldron | ... | District Attorney | |
| Elisha Cook Jr. | ... | Joe Briggs | |
| Charles Halton | ... | Albert Meng | |
| Ethel Griffies | ... | Mrs. Kane, Michael's Landlady | |
| Cliff Clark | ... | Martin | |
| Oscar O'Shea | ... | The Judge | |
| Alec Craig | ... | Briggs' Defense Attorney | |
| Otto Hoffman | ... | Charles Evans, the Police Surgeon |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
64 min
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Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Recording System)
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Fun Stuff
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.
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Quotes:
Michael Ward:
Did you ever want to kill a man?
Martin: My son, there's murder in every intelligent man's heart.
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Martin: My son, there's murder in every intelligent man's heart.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Rules of Film Noir (2009) (TV)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (34 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| German language podcast on Stranger on the Third Floor | tom-strillo |
| Any news on the DVD? | HlGrffths |
| A great movie! | wtl471629 |
Recommendations
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| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

I was curious to see 'Stranger on the Third Floor' when it was recently shown on TV after I read it described as "the first Film Noir". Whether it actually is that or not I'll leave up to more knowledgeable film fans to argue over, but whatever you call this movie it is a very interesting and strange thriller that deserves a lot more attention. Part courtroom drama, part murder mystery, with a memorable dream sequence, you can't but help wonder if David Lynch is extremely familiar with this film (something I also thought while watching 'Kiss Me Deadly', 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Branded To Kill'). John McGuire plays a reporter who is the key witness in a murder trial. After finding a neighbor dead and noticing a mysterious figure lurking nearby (Peter Lorre) he comes to believe that the man convicted (Elisha Cook, Jr) is innocent, and sets out to clear his name. I really love thrillers that are stylized or nightmarish and become borderline surrealism, and this is one of those kind of movies. It isn't without a few flaws, but I still found it to be fascinating and really enjoyed Cook and Lorre's performances, though sadly I don't think they actually have any scenes together.