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The Spiral Staircase (1946 film)

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The Spiral Staircase
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert Siodmak
Screenplay byMel Dinelli
Produced byDore Schary
Starring
CinematographyNicholas Musuraca
Edited byHarry Marker
Harry Gerstad
Music byRoy Webb
Production
companies
Distributed byRKO Pictures
Release date
  • February 7, 1946 (1946-02-07) (New York City)[1]
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$750,000[2]
Box office$2,750,000 (US rentals)[3]

The Spiral Staircase is a 1946 American film noir psychological thriller film directed by Robert Siodmak, from a screenplay by Mel Dinelli based on Ethel Lina White's novel Some Must Watch (1933).[4] The novel was adapted for a radio production starring Helen Hayes before reaching the screen.

Plot

Dorothy McGuire in The Spiral Staircase

In early 20th century New England, a serial killer murders disabled young women in the community. His next victim apparently is Helen (McGuire), a mute girl working as a live-in companion for the wealthy, bedridden Mrs. Warren (Barrymore). Mrs. Warren urges her to leave the house, as does Dr. Parry, who knows the reason for Helen's loss of speech and hopes to help her get her voice back. Rounding out the household are Mrs. Warren's son and stepson, her verbally abused nurse, a secretary, a handyman and his wife, a housekeeper with a taste for brandy.

Cast

Release

The film earned RKO a profit of $885,000.[5]

Reception

Variety wrote, "This is a smooth production of an obvious, though suspenseful murder thriller, ably acted and directed. Mood and pace are well set, and story grips throughout."[6] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote, "This is a shocker, plain and simple, and whatever pretensions it has to psychological drama may be considered merely as a concession to a currently popular fancy."[7]

Adaptations

The Spiral Staircase was adapted as a half-hour radio play on the November 25, 1949 broadcast of Screen Director's Playhouse, starring Dorothy McGuire in her original role.

It was remade in 1975 as a feature film with Jacqueline Bisset (The Spiral Staircase) and again in 2000 as a television movie with Nicollette Sheridan (The Spiral Staircase).

References

  1. ^ "The Spiral Staircase: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  2. ^ Variety 12 September 1945 p 12
  3. ^ "60 Top Grossers of 1946", Variety 8 January 1947 p8
  4. ^ The Spiral Staircase at the TCM Movie Database.
  5. ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p210
  6. ^ "Review: 'The Spiral Staircase'". Variety. 1946. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  7. ^ Crowther, Bosley (February 7, 1946). "The Spiral Staircase (1946)". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
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