The Spiral Staircase

Buy This Item The Spiral Staircase by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $7.99  on 11-14-2008     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! Reader Reviews 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).

The Spiral Staircase Available from Amazon Price: $7.99 Updated on 11-14-2008.

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