The Spiral Staircase
First screened in June 2003 / Most recently screened in February 2016
Director: Robert Siodmak. Cast: Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Kent Smith, Gordon Oliver, Ethel Barrymore, Sara Allgood, Rhonda Fleming, Rhys Williams, Erville Alderson, James Bell, Elsa Lanchester. Screenplay: Men Dinelli (based on the novel Some Must Watch by Ethel Lina White). Twitter Capsule:
I always worry I'm selling this short, but revisits confirm its superficial panache, forced plot, iffy cast.
VOR:②
Siodmak had a brief, intriguing run, but Spiral looks more overstyled than stylish. Everything from the scenario to the treatment of muteness feels musty. Some effort, though.
