The Spiral Staircase

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The Spiral Staircase

Released Feb 6, 1946

1h 23m

Mystery & Thriller

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86%

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22 Reviews

78%

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2,500+ Ratings

A young mute woman who is working in a New England mansion as a domestic is terrorized by a maniac who is killing off people with disabilities. After being warned of the danger to her personal safety she makes plans to leave the dark old house, but it is too late. The maniac is in the house, and she is his prey.

Variety Staff

Variety

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.

Oct 17, 2016

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David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

Although its whodunnit aspect is weak, the strong camera angles and cast performance make this a fine film.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 17, 2016

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TIME Magazine

The Spiral Staircase, a murder mystery, knowingly paced by Director Robert Siodmak and shrewdly acted by an expert cast, including Ethel Barrymore, is choice, eerie entertainment.

Oct 17, 2016

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Herbert Cohn

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

An always chilling and sometimes hair-raising thriller.

Dec 31, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

A haunted house tale where the ghosts are all too human.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 3, 2019

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Sue Heal

Radio Times

Thought-provoking and disturbing, this masterly thriller is directed with touches of sheer genius by Robert Siodmak.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 17, 2016

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Ian S

Well acted and still stands up pretty well. Good gothic melodrama.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

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Helen A

This is a great movie. It's so seldom I come across a classic film noir/whodunit that I haven't seen. Dorothy McGuire is a mute girl being stalked by a serial killer in an old house that is occupied by bedridden Ethel Barrymore. The atmosphere is creepy due to the excellent use of shadows and lighting and the script is believable with great acting. Rounding out the cast are also George Brent, Elsa Lanchester and Rhonda Fleming. I don't often get truly scared watching movies but this one really got to me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/24

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nick s

Well acted and directed. It's main flaw was the lack of mystery and some very predictable plot points.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

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Andy F

An unusual and atmospheric chiller. Not quite as great as some have made it out to be, but interesting nonetheless.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

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Monsol E

This may be one of my favorite thrillers of all time. The premise of a killer targeting "imperfect" women was great, making them even more monstrous than just a murderer. The suspense and uncertainty were real, and I wasn't sure who it was until near the end. Helen is very likeable, with an interesting situation, backstory, and relations to the other characters, most of whom are also likeable...even if you're wary of them. Everyone's acting was great, ESPECIALLY McGuire's, considering she does it all without speaking. The scene where the doc made her relive the fire is one of the best acted scenes I've seen in a long time. I'm not sure how this holds up to all it's remakes, but I don't really see how this one could be topped.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

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j F

I could guess the ending, but nevertheless, a supremely scary murderous mansion!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/23

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Robert Siodmak

Director

Dorothy McGuire

Helen Capel

George Brent

Professor Warren

Forrest Tucker

Actor

Ethel Barrymore

Mrs. Warren

Kent Smith

Dr. Parry

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Synopsis

A young mute woman who is working in a New England mansion as a domestic is terrorized by a maniac who is killing off people with disabilities. After being warned of the danger to her personal safety she makes plans to leave the dark old house, but it is too late. The maniac is in the house, and she is his prey.

Director: Robert Siodmak
Producer: Dore Schary
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures, Vanguard Films, Dore Schary Productions
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 6, 1946, Original
Release Date (DVD): Oct 4, 2005
Runtime: 1h 23m