The Spiral Staircase
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (PG)
D: Robert Siodmak
RKO (Dore Schary)
US 1945 (released 1946)
83 mins
Mystery/Thriller/Horror
W: Mel Dinelli [based on the novel "Some
Must Watch" by Ethel Lina White]
DP: Nicholas Musuraca
Ed: Harry Marker & Harry Gerstad
Mus: Roy Webb
PD: Albert S. D'Agostino & Jack
Okey
Dorothy McGuire (Helen), George Brent (Prof.
Albert Warren), Kent Smith (Dr. Parry), Ethel Barrymore(Mrs. Warren), Rhonda Fleming (Blanche), Gordon Oliver (Steven Warren)
The Spiral Staircase could well be classed as Hollywood's
first slasher, despite the fact that it's not accompanied with the blood and gore which came with the subgenre following the success of Halloween (qv) and others.
At the turn of the 20th century, a serial killer is
preying on women, mostly young girls, with "handicaps". Dorothy McGuire plays a mute housemaid of a cantankerous, bed-ridden woman in a spooky mansion who suspects she may well be the next
victim, and one evening the house sees many visitors who may or may not be the murderer.
As an old-fashioned horror-mystery, the film has much to
recommend it, from the atmospheric direction, brilliant cinematography, creepy production design and excellent performances. If violent murders are what you want to see, watch Saw (qv), if
it's a bit of suspense and intrigue, give this a go.
8/10
