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Description: A murderer is targeting disabled young women in a sleepy New England town, and Helen (Dorothy McGuire), a mute servant in a Gothic mansion, is terrified she's next! Mrs. Warren (legendary actress Ethel Barrymore in an Oscar®-nominated* performance [Best Supporting Actress, 1946]), the invalid, bullying mistress of the house, warns Helen to leave at once, rather than rely on her weak son and stepson for protection. But even as Helen is packing her things, she suspects she may be too late and the murderer is closer than she ever imagined! Amazon.com: An unusual suspense film, The Spiral Staircase tells the story of a mute servant girl threatened by a murderer who has a penchant for killing the handicapped. Ethel Barrymore, Elsa Lanchester, and George Brent co-star, while Dorothy McGuire expertly captures the dilemma of the mute Helen Capel. Capel, who has not been able to speak since childhood, must somehow call for help before becoming the killer's next victim. McGuire's performance carries the film far past any B-movie qualities in the plot, and the last line is one of the most memorable in film history. Silent movie buffs will especially enjoy the opening scene, which takes place at a turn-of-the-century movie parlor. --Mark Savary Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-21
Old suspens
C'est un film qui a mal vieilli. Rien à dire au sujet de l'interprétation, mais le décor comme les situations sont poussiéreux et, malheureusement, l'intrigue n'apporte aucune surprise : on sait dès le début que tout finira par s'arranger et que la pauvre héroïne sera sauvée in-extremis.
Le plaisir vient tout de même de cet effet rétro, de ce faux suspense qui finit par amuser, et qui pousse le spectateur a rester jusqu'au générique final, en se disant qu'il pourra s'endormir ensuite tranquillement sans faire de cauchemars. Rating: 
Date: 2007-12-11
finding the courage to scream...
Dorothy McGuire delivers an amazing performance as a traumatised mute in this expertly-directed classic of the thriller genre. THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (based on the book "Some Must Watch" by Ethel Lina White) is a moodily-lit, delicious treat for the true lovers of screen thrillers.
In a picture-perfect New England town, someone is murdering young women who have physical afflictions. Could Helen (Dorothy McGuire) be next? Following an horrific event in her past, Helen has lived her life as a mute. Employed as companion to the bedridden Mrs Warren (Ethel Barrymore), Helen is told that her life is in danger and she must leave the house immediately. Is the killer closer than she thinks....and when the killer makes their presence known, will Helen find the courage to scream? THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE is a complete thrill-ride, from it's prologue set in a turn-of-the-century movie theater, to the emotionally-devastating conclusion.
Dorothy McGuire holds the whole movie together, with her masterly performance as mute Helen. It's much subtler than a silent movie or "dumb show" performance, nor is it melodramatic; the amount of emotion McGuire is able to convey with the simplest look, and the way her eyes tell you what's inside her head, is incredible. It's a total tour-de-force from an actress who was never really given her full dues in Hollywood.
Ethel Barrymore, George Brent and Rhonda Fleming lead the outstanding supporting cast, with Elsa Lanchester as the drunken maid, and Sara Allgood as Mrs Warren's comical nurse.
The art direction and cinematography in THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE are all showcased to their best advantage with this new DVD release. There's some minor print damage and water-marking in some areas but on the whole it's a very pleasing transfer for a movie made in 1946. THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE will be a no-brainer for classic movie collectors, and lovers of quality thrillers.
(Single-sided, single-layer disc). Rating: 
Date: 2007-06-25
The Spiral Staircase
Robert Siodmak's eerie gothic thriller will set your teeth chattering, thanks to a subtly forbidding atmosphere, and top-flight performances from Barrymore, Brent, and especially McGuire, who's the picture of vulnerability as the delicate, silent Helen. A first-rate chiller, with a nifty surprise climax. Rating:
Date: 2007-03-25
The Spiral Staircase
Outstanding movie!!! If you love a good thriller this is your movie. Rating:
Date: 2007-02-21
A real thriller!
I love this movie, and it is the type of film that was made a long time ago that is just "creepy" enough to be fun rather than nauseating. The
suspence level is great and the performances (especially Ethel Barrymore's) are first-rate. It's really very enjoyable. |
