Film Review: The Spiral Staircase (1946)

One of the most intriguing and unsettling aspects of today's popular culture is the media's obsession with the phenomena of serial killers. This obsession is particularly evident in the motion picture industry, with Hollywood producing a multitude of films centered around serial killers in the past decade. However, it is important to note that serial killers were not unfamiliar territory for filmmakers in previous decades. The Spiral Staircase, a 1946 Hitchcockian thriller directed by Robert Siodmak, offers insight into how Hollywood tackled such material during its Golden Age.

The plot, based on the novel by Ethel Lina White, is set in a small New England town in the early 20th century. The local residents have recently been plagued by a series of murders, all of which have targeted women with mental or physical disabilities. Helen Capel, portrayed by Dorothy McGuire, is a beautiful young woman working as a servant in the mansion of the elderly and bedridden Mrs. Warren, played by Ethel Barrymore. Due to her muteness since childhood, everyone in the mansion, including Professor Albert Warren, Mrs. Warren's stepson portrayed by Ed Brent, is deeply concerned for Helen's safety and advises her to stay within the locked doors of the house until the killer is apprehended. However, Mrs. Warren warns Helen that the real danger lies within the house itself, a warning that Helen dismisses. Instead, she plans to leave the mansion to be with the young and handsome Doctor Parry, portrayed by Kent Smith, who wishes to marry her. Before she can do so, however, she must spend a night in the mansion, only to discover that Mrs. Warren's warning was justified.

Although The Spiral Staircase has been remade twice for television, it is often overlooked when discussing the most influential genre films of 1940s Hollywood. This may be attributed to the overshadowing reputation of the great Alfred Hitchcock and his body of work. However, the real reason likely lies in the fact that this film was ahead of its time by a few decades. Those who pay close attention will notice that many horror and thriller directors in later decades heavily borrowed from The Spiral Staircase. Examples include the use of the killer's point of view, eerie noises in the dark that are mistaken for the killer by potential victims, and the idea that sexual activity is equivalent to a death sentence – two cliches that are almost inseparable from slasher movies. What sets this film apart from its 1980s imitators is its lack of gore and shock tactics. Siodmak relies on suspense and successfully creates a genuinely creepy atmosphere. His directorial skills enable the film to overcome the cliched setting of an isolated country mansion on a stormy night. Even viewers accustomed to this type of film will be genuinely frightened by Siodmak's masterful manipulation.

The true value of this film lies in its characters. Scriptwriter Mel Dinelli has created truly interesting personalities, despite their relatively short appearances in the 81-minute runtime. Dorothy McGuire delivers a superb performance as the mute heroine, captivating audiences without uttering a single word. The supporting characters, portrayed by reliable character actors, are also excellent. Elsa Lanchester is truly memorable and believably portrays an alcoholic cook, while Ethel Barrymore shines as the bed-bound yet intelligent matriarch. Unfortunately, the obligatory Hollywood romance introduces a character that is not as interesting – the good doctor portrayed by Kent Smith. Nevertheless, and against Hollywood conventions, his character departs from the film before the end, leaving the damsel in distress to rely solely on herself. The characters in this film become even more fascinating when analyzed through a psychoanalytical lens. The Spiral Staircase attempts to explain the motives of the serial killer as a consequence of male impotence, delving into Freudian psychology. This use of psychology in thrillers would become more popular in later decades, thanks to Hitchcock, who made it one of his trademarks. Siodmak is less explicit in his exploration, but equally effective as the great Master of Suspense, making The Spiral Staircase one of the true gems of classic Hollywood.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

(Note: The original text was posted in the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on March 5th, 2000)

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