THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE
US, 1999, 95 minutes, Colour.
Nicolette Sheridan, Judd Nelson, Alex Mac Arthur, Holland Taylor.
Directed by James Head.
The Spiral Staircase is not only a remake of the original 1946 film with Dorothy Maguire (which was remade as a television movie in the late 70s with Christopher Plummer and Jacqueline Bissett) but an update, using the style of popular television movies and glossy soap operas. Nicolette Sheridan is shocked by an attack on her and loses the power of speech. She is then sent as a nurse to an elderly lady, with a touch of hypochondria. However, she is well accepted in the household, especially by the older son, played by Judd Nelson. His playboy brother, Alex Mac Arthur, returns from Europe with his girlfriend. Also in the household is a tipsy cook, a most severe housekeeper and her son who is the odd-jobs man.
The film moves along at the rapid pace of a romantic drama and then turns neo-Gothic as all the members of the household plus the local sheriff are isolated because of a fierce storm on the island. People start to be killed, there are secrets revealed and a final confrontation. It is a long way from 1946. The most sympathetic performance comes from Holland Taylor as the matriarch. Nicolette Sheridan tends to be, because she is mute, the easy target of being described as a glamorous blonde bimbo. However, this is glossy magazine-style entertainment.
1. The film as a remake of the 1946 film, relying on the novel on which it was based? Updated to the 1990s?
2. The glossy style of photography, editing, people and their wealth? The relationship to soap opera styles? Musical score?
3. The title, audiences not seeing the staircase until the end of the film, its being used by Helen, by Bobby, by Rachel and destroyed by the mother?
4. The prologue with the attack on Helen, the cat with the yellow paw, her fear and being struck mute?
5. A year later, her being recruited to go to the island, her acceptance, meeting Bobby who was very friendly, meeting Philip who was serious, Rachel who was severe, Sarah the drinking cook who was friendly? The mother and the initial frost, the warmth of friendship? Life in the household, Philip becoming attracted to Helen? Stephen and his return, his casual attitudes, wanting money, bringing his latest girlfriend? Shooting his mouth off, drinking?
6. The excursion into the town, Helen being frightened, seeing the murderer, another victim? Meeting Stephen?
7. The police arriving, the interrogations, the suspicions on Stephen? The growing storm and the isolation? Bobby having to stay on the mainland? The others staying together, the telephone lines, the lights going out? No gasoline?
8. The build-up of atmosphere, the thunder and lightning, the Gothic building? The mysterious passages, staircases? Stephen and his drinking, people having him in suspicion? His girlfriend being killed? The murder of the policeman? Helen's suspicion of Stephen?
9. Rachel and the confrontation with the mother, the revelation of the truth about her being the mother of Philip, wanting the money? The mother telling Philip, his shock? His being shot? Stephen in the room, Philip unlocking it?
10. Bobby and the revelation that he was the murderer, frightening Helen, taking her up the spiral staircase? The mother and her shooting, the confrontation with Rachel? Her pulling down the staircase? The happy ending and a happy future_?
11. The popularity of this kind of glossy entertainment?
