The Spiral Staircase (1975)

In a remake of the 1940s film, Helen has been incapable of speech since seeing her husband die - will she become the target of a deranged serial killer targeting disabled people?

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writers:

Chris Bryant (screenplay) (as Andrew Meredith), Allan Scott (screenplay) (as Andrew Meredith)

Stars:

Jacqueline Bisset, Christopher Plummer, John Phillip Law

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Helen
Christopher Plummer	...	Dr. Sherman
John Phillip Law	...	Steven (as John Philip Law)
Sam Wanamaker	...	Lieut. Fields
Mildred Dunnock	...	Mrs. Sherman
Gayle Hunnicutt	...	Blanche
Elaine Stritch	...	Nurse
John Ronane	...	Dr. Rawley
Sheila Brennan	...	Mrs. Oates
Ronald Radd	...	Oates
Heather Lowe	...	Blind Girl
Christopher Malcolm	...	Policeman

Storyline

In a remake of the 1940s film, Helen has been incapable of speech since seeing her husband die - will she become the target of a deranged serial killer targeting disabled people?

---

Plot Keywords:

murder of a blind woman | shooting a woman | mute woman | spiral staircase | serial killer | 

---

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

First cinematic color version of the "The Spiral Staircase" filmed adaptations of Ethel Lina White's "Some Must Watch" novel.

---

Connections

Remake of The Spiral Staircase (1961)

User Reviews

Pretty dull

Remake of the 1946 classic. Helen Mallory (Jacqueline Bisset) has been rendered mute after seeing her husband and only child die in a fire. She is now staying at her uncle's mansion and getting treatment. However there is a killer on the loose who kills people who have disabilities. Is Helen next?

Pointless redo. The original is a classic--what's the point or remaking it? I caught this on TV late at night back in the 1970s. I had seen the original and was interested in seeing how this stood up. Sadly it turned out to be pretty bad. Despite a great cast (Bisset, Christopher Plummer, John Phillip Law, Elaine Stritch) this is pretty slow-moving and dull. There's virtually no suspense or atmosphere and it looks like it was made on a very low budget which hurts. The cast tries their best but even their considerable talents can't liven this up. You can safely skip this one. See the original.

I give it a 3 because the cast does try and Bisset looks stunning (as always).

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1975 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Spiral Staircase

Filming Locations:

Bracknell, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Raven Films (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1