Watch Shadows on the Stairs

Shadows on the Stairs is a 1941 British noir film directed by D. Ross Lederman, starring Frieda Inescort, Paul Cavanagh, and Heather Angel. The story centers on a group of people living in a boarding house in London, who become embroiled in a murder investigation. The film opens with a young woman named Phillipa (Heather Angel) arriving at the boarding house. She is immediately taken with the mysterious Dr. Rhinehart (Paul Cavanagh), who is also a resident. Another resident, a novelist named Charles (Bruce Lester), is also smitten with Phillipa, although she does not seem to reciprocate his feelings.

Soon after Phillipa's arrival, strange things start happening in the boarding house. A portrait of a woman goes missing, a knife is found in one of the rooms, and a resident is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. The police are called in to investigate, and suspicion falls on several of the boarding house residents, including Dr. Rhinehart, Charles, and the landlady, Mrs. Warren (Frieda Inescort).

As the investigation unfolds, secrets are revealed, tensions run high, and paranoia sets in. Everyone has something to hide, and no one seems entirely trustworthy. The pacing of the film keeps the audience guessing as to who the murderer might be until the very end.

The film is notable for its use of shadows and atmospheric lighting to create a spooky and unsettling mood. The camera work and set design are also impressive, particularly the scenes that take place on the winding staircase that serves as the focal point of the story.

The performances are uniformly strong, with Inescort standing out as the hard-edged landlady with a hidden past. Cavanagh's brooding charisma is also effective in the role of the mysterious doctor. Angel, as the innocent newcomer caught in the middle of the chaos, is suitably sympathetic and plucky.

Overall, Shadows on the Stairs is a well-crafted and suspenseful thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The film's intricate plot, strong performances, and stylish visuals make it a worthy addition to the canon of British film noir.

Shadows on the Stairs is a 1941 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.