- The Spiral Staircase
Infobox Film | name = The Spiral Staircase
caption = Original U.S. Poster
director =
producer =Dore Schary
writer =
starring =Dorothy McGuire George Brent Ethel Barrymore
music =Roy Webb
cinematography =Nicholas Musuraca
editing =Harry Gerstad
distributor =RKO Radio Pictures
released =February 6 , 1946
runtime = 83 minutes
language = English
budget =
amg_id = 1:46095
imdb_id ="The Spiral Staircase" is a 1945 American
psychological thriller film, based onEthel Lina White 'snovel "Some Must Watch", in which the heroine wascrippled rather thanmute . The novel was adapted for aradio production starringHelen Hayes before reaching the screen.Plot summary
Set in early 20th century
New England , thescreenplay byMel Dinelli is about aserial killer who is murdering disabled young women in the community. His next victim apparently is Helen, a mute girl who works as a live-in companion for wealthy, bedridden Mrs. Warren, who 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 sons, her verbally-abused nurse, a secretary, a handyman and his wife, the housekeeper with a taste forbrandy .Cast
The cast, directed by
Robert Siodmak , includedDorothy McGuire ,Kent Smith ,George Brent ,Rhonda Fleming ,Elsa Lanchester ,Gordon Oliver andEthel Barrymore . Barrymore was nominated for an Academy Award,Best Actress in a Supporting Role .Adaptations
It was remade in 1975 as a feature film with
Jacqueline Bisset and again in 2000 as atelevision movie withNicolette Sheridan .External links
*imdb title|id=0038975|title=The Spiral Staircase
*tcmdb title|id=345408|title=The Spiral Staircase
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