On S List of Movie Reviews

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The Spiral Staircase (1946)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 7/05

7/05: The Spiral Staircase is a hybrid of Clue and Mute Witness.

Although better than either of the aforementioned films, it reeks of poor acting. Ethel Barrymore gives an x-double minus performance. I like the story which builds up the suspense well. However, the mystery is easy to figure out. If Mrs. Warren was smart as a whip, she should've seen through the whole thing right from the start.

It's funny how the film feels so much like Clue. Take the mute, it's Miss White with the candle; we also have Blanche as Miss Scarlett with the typewriter, Stephen as Colonel Mustard with his arrogance, Professor Warren as Professor Plum with his manners, and Mrs. Warren as Ms. Peacock with her eccentricities.

All in all, better acting would've done The Spiral Staircase justice.

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