THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946) – Episode 197 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

“The only thing that keeps me from cracking you in the jaw is the almost certain possibility that it would break your neck.” Your consideration is appreciated. Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and guest Gregory Crosby – as they take in Robert Siodmak’s The Spiral Staircase (1946) from RKO Radio Pictures.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 197 – The Spiral Staircase (1946)

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ANNOUNCEMENT
Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL
Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era!
Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website.
Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.
https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

Synopsis: In 1916, a shadowy serial killer is targeting women with “afflictions.” One night, during a thunderstorm, the mute Helen is the target.

• Directed by: Robert Siodmak
• Writing Credits: Mel Dinelli; Ethel Lina White (novel, Some Must Watch, 1933)
• Music by: Roy Webb
• Cinematography by: Nicholas Musuraca (director of photography)
• Selected Cast:
  • Dorothy McGuire as Helen
  • George Brent as Professor Warren
  • Ethel Barrymore as Mrs. Warren
  • Kent Smith as Dr. Parry
  • Rhonda Fleming as Blanche
  • Gordon Oliver as Steve Warren
  • Elsa Lanchester as Mrs. Oates
  • Sara Allgood as Nurse Barker
  • Rhys Williams as Mr. Oates
  • James Bell as Constable
  • Erville Alderson as Dr. Harvey (uncredited)
  • Ellen Corby as Neighbour (uncredited)
  • Myrna Dell as Murder Victim (uncredited)
  • George Holmes as The Killer’s ‘Shadow’ (uncredited)
  • Stanley Price as Starry-eyed Man (uncredited)
  • Robert Siodmak as The Killer’s ‘Eye’ (uncredited)
  • Richard Tyler as Freddy (uncredited)
  • Charles Wagenheim as Desk Clerk (uncredited)
  • Larry Wheat as Minister (uncredited)
  • Carlton the Bulldog as Himself (uncredited)

Imagine a junction of genres where gothic, old dark house, and film noir meet. You will surely find The Spiral Staircase (1946) there. The film is packed with film noir veterans, both cast and crew, who weave a beautiful tapestry of light and shadow that aid in the telling of its layered story. Red herrings abound in the search for the serial killer who prays on women with “afflictions” that render them less than perfect. Even though the female characters appear to have little agency, they manage to defeat the killer. Oops! Spoiler alert! Horror, horror-adjacent, or none of the above, The Spiral Staircase is a damn fine movie, and the Grue-Crew, joined by Gregory Crosby, has much to discuss.

At the time of this writing, The Spiral Staircase (1946) is available to stream from YouTube.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by a special guest – is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), the German silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene that explodes with German expressionism and challenges the Grue Crew with correctly pronouncing “somnambulist.”

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