The Dark at the Top of the Stairs

19601960
ApprovedApproved
2h 4min

Eve Arden, Angela Lansbury, Shirley Knight, Lee Kinsolving, Dorothy McGuire, and Robert Preston in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)

In Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood (Robert Preston) loses his job as a travelling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora (Dorothy McGuire... Read allIn Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood (Robert Preston) loses his job as a travelling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora (Dorothy McGuire) is frigid because of trying to make ends meet. His teenage daughter Reenie (Shirley Knig... Read allIn Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood (Robert Preston) loses his job as a travelling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora (Dorothy McGuire) is frigid because of trying to make ends meet. His teenage daughter Reenie (Shirley Knight) is afraid of going out on dates, but eventually makes friends with a troubled Jewish b... Read all

Director
- Delbert Mann
Writers
- Harriet Frank Jr.(screenplay)
- Irving Ravetch(screenplay)
- William Inge(based on the play by)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 7 nominations total

1 sheet

Shirley Knight and Dorothy McGuire in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)

Shirley Knight and Dorothy McGuire in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)

Rubin Floodas Rubin Flood

Dorothy McGuire

Cora Floodas Cora Flood

Lottie Laceyas Lottie Lacey

Angela Lansbury

Mavis Pruittas Mavis Pruitt

Reenie Floodas Reenie Flood

Sammy Goldenas Sammy Golden

Morris Laceyas Morris Lacey

Sonny Floodas Sonny Flood

Flirt Conroyas Flirt Conroy
(as Penny Parker)

Harry Ralstonas Harry Ralston

Boyas Boy
(uncredited)

Jonah Millsas Jonah Mills
(uncredited)

Mrs. Haycoxas Mrs. Haycox
(uncredited)

Boyas Boy
(uncredited)

Jenkinsas Jenkins
(uncredited)

Boyas Boy
(uncredited)

Joseph Moodyas Joseph Moody
(uncredited)

Boyas Boy
(uncredited)

Director
- Delbert Mann
Writers
- Harriet Frank Jr.(screenplay)
- Irving Ravetch(screenplay)
- William Inge(based on the play by)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

The Last Voyage

6.7

The Last Voyage

Wild River

7.6

Home from the Hill

7.4

Home from the Hill

From the Terrace

6.7

From the Terrace

Lover Come Back

7.2

Lover Come Back

Fanny

6.9

The Hanging Tree

7.1

The Hanging Tree

The Trials of Oscar Wilde

7.1

The Trials of Oscar Wilde

Underworld U.S.A.

7.3

Underworld U.S.A.

Never on Sunday

7.3

Never on Sunday

Sweet Bird of Youth

7.3

Sweet Bird of Youth

Black Legion

7.0

In Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood (Robert Preston) loses his job as a travelling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora (Dorothy McGuire) is frigid because of trying to make ends meet. His teenage daughter Reenie (Shirley Knight) is afraid of going out on dates, but eventually makes friends with a troubled Jewish boy Sammy Golden (Lee Kinsolving), and his son is a mama's boy. He finally storms out of the house when Cora falsely accuses him of having an affair with Mavis Pruitt (Dame Angela Lansbury). —Will Gilbert

oklahoma 1920s salesman husband wife relationship widow 25 more

Taglines
- Everytime a woman turns her face away because she's tired or unwilling - there's someone waiting like me!
Genre
- Drama
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
When asked which one of her movies stands out to her, Dame Angela Lansbury cited this movie, saying, "That's one I felt we did a good job with, one that didn't get the attention it deserved."

Quotes
Executive: We sell new machinery. What do you know about drilling equipment for oil fields?
Rubin Flood: Not a thing.
Executive: Then why should we hire you?
Rubin Flood: You chew tobacco, mister?
Executive: I beg your pardon!
Rubin Flood: You talk crops and weather? You know who's had a baby lately? You know who goes to church and who don't? Who likes corn liquor and who likes store liquor? Who's a Republican, who's a Democrat?
Executive: Our methods are a little more modern than that.
Rubin Flood: Well, I'm telling you that the people out here are farmers, no matter how much oil they got in their land. You want to come out of this territory with a profit? You'd be better off taking that diamond stickpin out of your tie and putting a straw hat on the back of your head and a chaw in your cheek! You're gonna have to hunker down and talk business with a man who's cleaning out his pigsty. That's where a lot of sales are made... and it can't be done in a New York suit!

Connections
Featured in Biography: Angela Lansbury: A Balancing Act (1998)

Soundtracks
The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs
Composed by Max Steiner
Performed by Chet Atkins with Bob Thompson And His Strings

Top review

10/10

Just the best!!!

I saw this movie years ago and fell in love with it. I have hunted for the video but unfortunately there isn't one. I was lucky enough to find it playing on TV several years ago and taped it. Although I am happy to have what I do, I think it's a shame it is not available for the Robert Preston fans out there. It is a movie that was before its time. It hit on topics that were seldom talked about publicly in the time setting. Topics hinted at but not openly discussed like they do in this film. Robert Preston did a remarkable job as the character, Rubin Flood. Your heart went out to him because you could see through his strong, always looking for the positive, family provider roll. The fear and uncertainty he faced each day as the head of his family and his aging prospects at being successful in the eyes of his family. The film has a glorious mix of humor and drama. Unforgettable!!

helpful•21

7

bbboomer49-1
Apr 18, 2005

Release date
- October 8, 1960 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Das Dunkle am Ende der Treppe
Filming locations
- Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Production company
- Warner Bros.
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 4min

In Memoriam: Oscar Nominated Character Actress Shirley Knight

In Memoriam: Oscar Nominated Character Actress Shirley Knight

Apr 23HollywoodChicago.com

Shirley Knight Dies, Emmy Winner and Oscar-Nominated Actress Was 83

Shirley Knight Dies, Emmy Winner and Oscar-Nominated Actress Was 83

Eve Arden, Angela Lansbury, Shirley Knight, Lee Kinsolving, Dorothy McGuire, and Robert Preston in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)

Top Gap

What is the English language plot outline for The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)?

More to explore

View list

Most Anticipated Netflix Releases

See the full list

Image caption not available

What to Watch in October

Watch the video

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.