+++ Opinion +++
“The Spiral Staircase” is far from the most famous suspense classic of its era. But even if his fame does not reach as far as that of various Hitchcock films, he has a passionate fan base. One that – in my opinion, quite rightly – celebrates it as an influential milestone that right on the interface between gothic horror, psychological thriller and film noir located.
After a German theatrical release in 1948 and an abridged cinema re-release in the 1960s, the full-length classic was shown on local television and on the video market – as video cassette and DVD. Now you can finally experience it better than ever in your own four walls: As of this week, “The Spiral Staircase” is also available on Blu-ray and as a DVD with improved image transfer over previous releases.
» “The Spiral Staircase” DVD & Blu-ray at Amazon*
In addition, the Filmjuwelen label has adorned its “The Spiral Staircase” edition with bonus material, such as a half-hour radio report by director Robert Siodmak and leading actress Dorothy McGuire. In addition, the DVD and the Blu-ray contain an informative booklet about the film.
A serial killer kills three women in a matter of days who have one thing in common – they all have a physical condition. As a result, maid Helen (Dorothy McGuire), who was silenced by an incident during his childhood, now fears for his life. As night falls in the gloomy Warren mansion, only a visit from Dr. Perry (Kent Smith) to calm down the frightened Helen. But in the extensive property, a terrible incident soon occurs…
It’s rare that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes acting achievements from dark genres. “The Spiral Staircase” succeeded in doing just that: Ethel Barrymore was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as the lady of the house in the category “Best Supporting Actress”. What has not been recognized by the Academy, but has been recognized by the film press and has long since become the greatest legacy of “The Spiral Staircase”, is its outstanding look.
Siodmak and “Cat People” cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca create an imagery that is as expressionistic as it is haunting, with piercing shadows that frighteningly deform the Warren estate. In addition, Siodmak succeeds in a constant pang of paranoia to produce: You suffer with the great played Helen, you can literally feel how the killer is spying on her. This consistently translates into a feeling of being trapped: as spacious as the manor house may be, it still seems far too small to be able to escape the danger.
“The Spiral Staircase” is also one of the earliest works in Hollywood history, in which we occasionally see the world literally from the perpetrator’s point of view. Such “point of view” camera settings have become indispensable in horror cinema at least since “Halloween”. But not only this classic contains “The Spiral Staircase” DNA. So it begins, like later “Panic Fear” and “Scream 2”, with a scary visit to the cinema. And Siodmak makes a cameo, lending his eye to the killer in one sequence, staring at us and his victim in close-up.
The short shot of the gaping eye served as a model for the most famous image from the first “Black Christmas” film, also known in this country under the title “Jessy – The stairs to death” – which in turn is one of the slasher blueprints par excellence. The Italo shocker “In the Bloodlust of Satan” also used this image, while horror ace James Wan based numerous shots on the light and shadow play of “The Spiral Staircase” in his first “Conjuring” part.
However, it is by no means the case that “The Spiral Staircase” is worthwhile nowadays alone to conduct cinematic “ancestry research”. Because in just over 80 minutes, this breathtakingly lit film tells in a stylish and exciting way about a real night of horror in the life of a supposedly defenseless woman who has to assert herself. First of all, this is timeless material and secondly, it is truly thrilling and implemented that gets under your skin. Do yourself a favor and check out The Spiral Staircase. You’re going to want to scream for Helen!
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