THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE

UK, 1979, 89 minutes, Colour.
Jacqueline Bissett, Christopher Plummer, John Philip Law, Sam Wanamaker, Mildred Dunnock, Gayle Hunnicutt.
Directed by Peter Collinson.

The Spiral Staircase is in the 70's trend to mysteries and thrillers. Here is an updated version of the 1940's thriller with Dorothy Maguire and Ethel Barrymore. The plot is almost exactly the same as the original, but it substitutes a less effective contemporary setting and atmosphere for Gothic horrors in black and white which chilled as well as thrilled. This version is a competent routine thriller, no more; but judging by the shrills and screams in the theatre, there is nothing wrong with routine shrieks. Jacqueline Bissett is a charming mute
heroine. Christopher Plummer is the doctor and Mildred Dunnock the mother. This is the kind of entertainment that people continually say they are wanting.

1. How good a thriller was this? Its use of the conventions of the thriller and mystery genre? The quality of the glossy treatment (or did this detract from the film)?

2. How well did the film update the story and details of the original? Did it lose by updating?

3. How well did the film involve audience suspense and mystery? The initial murder, the close-up of the eye, the setting, the characters, the number of deaths? Were these good or merely conventional?

4. How could audiences be interested or identify with Helen? As an attractive person herself, at the opening, her disability, her memories of the deaths (were the flashbacks effective and appropriate), the potential victim, as a strong and kind woman, her support of her grandmother, as a focus of terror? How was Helen a focus for the emotional response for the audience?

5. How interesting a character was Joe? Did the audience suspect him at all? As a mystery doctor? His suave style? His running of the clinic, his theories about imperfect people, memories of his father and his death? Were audiences surprised at his change? Were the scenes where he menaced Helen appropriate and frightening? How?

6. Did audiences suspect Stephen? How conventional a scapegoat character was he? The cad type? His being imprisoned by Joe? His mother thinking he was the villain?

7. How suspicious was the mother? What kind of character was she? As a focus of audience interest, the gothic atmosphere of the house, her being confined to bed, her suspicions, as old and invalid, the final shooting?

8. How ordinary a character was Blanche? As glamour and as an extra victim? Was she anything more?

9. How important were the minor characters? Were they suspicious? The representation of the policeman, the caretaker and his concern, alcoholic wife, the other doctor, the nurse?

10. How good were the dramatic touches to evoke screams in the audiences? Was the mystery well preserved or enough clues given? was the resolution of Helen regaining her voice satisfactory?