IMDb > The Spiral Staircase (1945)
The Spiral Staircase
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The Spiral Staircase (1945) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 8 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The Spiral Staircase -- A serial killer (circa 1916) is targeting women with 'afflictions'; one night during a thunderstorm, mute Helen feels menaced...
The Spiral Staircase -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   3,209 votes »
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MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ethel Lina White (novel)
Mel Dinelli (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Spiral Staircase on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
December 1945 (USA) See more »
Plot:
A serial killer (circa 1916) is targeting women with 'afflictions'; one night during a thunderstorm, mute Helen feels menaced. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. See more »
User Reviews:
Visuals Add To Already-Excellent Film See more (78 total) »

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Dorothy McGuire ... Helen Capel
George Brent ... Professor Warren
Ethel Barrymore ... Mrs. Warren
Kent Smith ... Dr. Parry

Rhonda Fleming ... Blanche
Gordon Oliver ... Steve Warren

Elsa Lanchester ... Mrs. Oates
Sara Allgood ... Nurse Barker

Rhys Williams ... Mr. Oates
James Bell ... Constable
See more »
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Runtime:
83 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Iceland:12 | UK:A (original rating) (1946) | West Germany:16 (f) | Germany:16 (video rating) | Netherlands:18 (original rating) (1947) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (re-rating) (2004) | USA:Unrated

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 25, 1949 with Dorothy McGuire reprising her film role.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: After Blanche has her argument with Steven, she goes into Helen's room to talk to her. While Helen is packing her suitcase, she takes a picture frame off the nightstand and lays it on the bed twice.See more »
Quotes:
Constable:She's dead!
Dr. Parry:Well, in that case, Constable, I certainly can't do her any harm.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Silent Night, Evil Night (1974)See more »
Soundtrack:
Waltz Op. 34 No. 2 in A minorSee more »

FAQ

Is "The Spiral Staircase" based on a novel?
Why couldn't Helen speak?
Where is that old Victorian mansion located?
See more »
43 out of 53 people found the following review useful.
Visuals Add To Already-Excellent Film, 19 October 2005
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

This was an excellent suspense film with outstanding cinematography and interesting characters played by a strong cast.

There are lots of complimentary adjectives in the above sentence but the film deserves it, particularly the photography (see this on DVD). The lighting is as good as anything I've ever seen in film noir (this is not a film noir, as one reviewer correctly points out). In fact, outside of David Lean's "Oliver Twist, " this may be the best-looking black-and-white film I've seen. A good part of the visual treat is viewing the fantastic Victorian house where most of the action takes place.

The lead character, played beautifully by Dorothy McGuire, is one the viewer cares about which helps get one involved in the story. All the other characters are fun to watch, and are detailed here in other reviews. I go along with most in saying Ethel Barrymore was the most likable.

There are a few holes in the storyline, to be sure, but one doesn't care since the film movies rapidly, the story keeps you so involved and the visuals and audio are so interesting. This latter also features the longest thunderstorm on record!

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (78 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Spiral Staircase (1945)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The opening of the film. PoliticChik87
Dorothy McGuire's performance overlooked for Academy Award? TCManiacs
Is it just me ... (SPOILER CONTAINED) milliefan
(POSSIBLE SPOILER) Am I missing something or . . . fireseeker4him
Mirror on the staircase adriangr
Notes on THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE JSlack3
See more »

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