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THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE is one of those rare old fashioned black & white films worth owning & watching over & over again. The story of a mute young woman, Ms. DOROTHY McGUIRE, in what can be the best role of her acting career. Ms. McGuire plays Helen who has lost her ablility to speak due to a traumatic experience in her childhood. Suddenly she finds herself stalked by a man who hides in the woods and who has already killed other handicapped women. Helen will be his next victim. The suspense in the film is created by the use of dark atmospheric shadows and by not revealing the identity of the killer until the end. The film produced by RKO RADIO could very well compare to the films produced by Mr. VAL LEWTON made during the same decade at RKO. This film can be considered as one of the first serial killer movies in the history of cinema. Really suspensfull, Helen not able to scream in terror - YOU WILL SCREAM FOR HER!! A fine supporting cast specially worth mentioning Ms. ELSA LANCHESTER (the Bride of Frankenstein herself) supplies the comic relief as Mrs.Oates. SEE IT AGAIN & AGAIN IN THE DARK IF YOU DARE!Read full review
As a collector of older movies in film format, the new DVD and projection technology makes it a lot more affordable to have theatre quality motion picture prints on my theatre size screen with pretty much the same quality if not sometimes better than it is with film. The motion picture "Spiral Staircase", (1946), is one of Dore Schary's first "Message films" of which he received a lot of criticism on from some in the industry at the time. Spiral Staircase as well is just a great old murder mystery of the classic style that takes place mostly at night in a big old victorian mansion with a thunder storm going on outside the whole time. It is a classic old formula which by todays standards may seem dated to some but is a refreshing change for me. And --- As usual Ethel Barrymore gives a great performance all throughout, but especially the ending. Very dramatic ending. As a quality item on ebay this is first rate. Especially since a lot of these old titles are not easily available in most stores. A lot of these older classics are available on ebay from 1stchoicedvd also known as deep discount video. LLC and other good ebay sellers. ------ Dave.Read full review
Someone is murdering women with defects in a 1910 New England town. We see the insane person's eye close-up everytime there is a murder, but we have no idea who it is is. Along comes a thunderstorm, a very sick elderly matriarch Mrs. Warren played by Ethel Barrymore, a huge mansion with servants, and lighting only by candles; now we have all the ingredients for a scary movie. The movie centers around Helen (Dorothy McGuire) in a movie that many people consider her best performance ever, a mute companion and caregiver to Mrs. Warren. Mrs. Warren prefers Helen to her nurse (Sara Algood), but she urges Helen to leave the town when it is learned that the serial killer is after women with defects. Mrs. Warren's doctor, Doctor Parry (Kent Smith) is going to pick up Helen after he goes to a sick person's home but is delayed there. In the meantime, we meet the various members of the household. Mrs. Warren has a stepson, Albert Warren (George Brent), and a biological son, Stephen Warren (Gordon Oliver). Since Stephen is a playboy and travels extensively, the murders always start when he is at home. Allbert has a secretary Blanche (Rhonda Fleming in a role where you won't recognize her), and the cook is played by Elsa Lanchester. This becomes the list of suspects as in a Clue game. This movie was nominated in 1946 for one Academy Award--Best Supporting Actress, Ethel Barrymore. She did not win. Leonard Maltin, famous critic, gives this movie 3.5 out of 4 stars and advises that it not be viewed alone. However, to me the scariest part of the murders is the evil close-up of the eye that we see everytime a murder is about to occur.Read full review
"The Spiral Staircase" is a classic psycho-drama some call "NOIRROR". That would be a film noir, horror story. The whole thing revolves around an old house and a crazed murderer who is compelled to kill young women with physical afflictions. The cast of characters is great and the direction is top-notch. A very entertaining movie that is sure to please any movie fan.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A very good spooky film noir from 1946 with a great cast of stars. Exciting and thrilling to watch. Very enjoyable.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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