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Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780764007446
Format: Black & White, Original recording remastered, NTSC
ISBN: 0764007440
Label: Starz / Anchor Bay
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Starz / Anchor Bay
Release Date: July 11, 2000
Running Time: 83 minutes
Sales Rank: 8500
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Theatrical Release Date: 1945-12
Editorial Review:
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A good suspenseful film from the forties
Until recently, I had never seen "The Spiral Staircase" (1945) but I had heard about it. A good director and two distinguished actresses convinced me it was time to try it. I was pleasantly surprised when watching the DVD. This is a suspense film, with good "mise en scene", a believable story, and good performances by Dorothy McGuire and Ethel Barrymore. I recommend it (3/5 stars).
Rating:  - Great Thriller!
Great movie for the OLD MOVIE LOVER!! Suspenseful and fun! Amazing performance by Dorothy McGuire.
Rating: - Robert Siodmak: a master director, a legitimate inheritor of the German expressionism!
With this film this great director formally captured the whole attention of a story once and thousand times told, but with such overpowering talent and mesmerizing camera's handle that really engages you.
The initial sequence nourished the imagination of a young director by then, Alfred Hitchcock who paid his homage in the famous sequence of murder of the detective in Norman Bates' house in "Psycho" . On the other hand Dorothy Mac Guire gives the most powerful performance of her career ... Read More
Rating: - No Imperfections Allowed...
Helen (Dorothy McGuire) is the beautiful, young caretaker for the bed-ridden Mrs. Warren (Ethel Barrymore). She works w/ Mrs. Warren in her huge mansion, along w/ the two Warren sons, Blanche the secretary, the nurse, and Mr. Oats and his wife (Elsa Lanchester from Bride Of Frankenstein and Willard). All would be just fine if not for two facts: #1- There's a serial murderer on the loose who appears to only prey upon those he deems to be imperfect / disabled in some way. #2- Helen has been mute ever ... Read More
Rating:  - An elegant classic
Perhaps most famous for Dorothy Mcguire's sensitive performance as a mute servant girl pursued by a maniac, this elegant thriller looks wonderful on the DVD version. No special features to speak of except a trailer, but the film itself is clean, crisp, and presented in its original 1:33 aspect ratio. Beautiful photography and some polished performances by a great supporting cast (including Rhonda Fleming and Ethel Barrymore) compensate for a mystery many viewers may solve a bit early. Old fashioned ... Read More
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