The Spiral Staircase

The Spiral Staircase is a Hollywood thriller from 1946 directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Dorothy McGuire, Kent Smith, George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Elsa Lanchester, and Ethel Barrymore. Cinematography by RKO regular Nicholas Musuraca.

Plot

This thriller is set in early 19th century New England, about a serial killer on the loose, murdering young disabled women in the community. The killer's next apparent victim is Helen (McGuire), a mute girl who works as a live-in servant for a wealthy old bedridden woman Mrs. Warren (Barrymore). Kent Smith plays Dr. Parry, a man who knows the real reason for Helen's loss of speech and wants to help Helen get her voice back.

Related Topics:
19th century - New England - Serial killer

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Ethel Barrymore was nominated for an Academy Award, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, for her role. The screenplay was written by Mel Dinelli. The film is based on a novel by Ethel Lina White, Some Must Watch, in which the heroine was crippled rather than mute. The novel was first adapted into a radio production, starring Helen Hayes.

Related Topics:
Academy Award - Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Mel Dinelli - Novel - Ethel Lina White - Some Must Watch - Helen Hayes

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Remade in 1975 starring Jacqueline Bisset; and again as a TV movie in 2000 with Nicolette Sheridan as Helen.

Related Topics:
1975 - Jacqueline Bisset - 2000 - Nicolette Sheridan

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