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The Spiral Staircase
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the band, see The Spiral Starecase.
| The Spiral Staircase | |
|---|---|
 Original U.S. Poster |
|
| Produced by | Dore Schary |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
| Cinematography | Nicholas Musuraca |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures Inc. |
| Release date(s) | February 6, 1946 (U.S. release) |
| Running time | 83 min |
| Language | English |
The Spiral Staircase is a 1946 American psychological thriller film.
It is based on Ethel Lina White's novel Some Must Watch, in which the heroine was crippled rather than mute. The novel was adapted for a radio production starring Helen Hayes before reaching the screen.
Set in early 20th century New England, the screenplay by Mel Dinelli is about a serial 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, and a housekeeeper with a taste for brandy.
The cast, directed by Robert Siodmak, included Dorothy McGuire, Kent Smith, George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Elsa Lanchester, and Ethel Barrymore. Barrymore was nominated for an Academy Award, Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
It was remade in 1975 as a feature film with Jacqueline Bisset and again in 2000 as a television movie with Nicolette Sheridan.