Watch The Stranger on the Third Floor

The Stranger on the Third Floor is a 1940 film noir thriller directed by Boris Ingster and starring Peter Lorre, John McGuire, and Margaret Tallichet. The film tells the story of journalist Michael Ward (McGuire) who witnesses a murder in a diner and becomes a key witness in a trial that ultimately sends the suspect to the electric chair. However, Ward begins to doubt his own testimony when his neighbor, a strange and eerie man (Lorre), is also accused of the crime.

The film starts off with a dream sequence in which Michael is accused of the murder of the diner owner. He wakes up in a sweat and seems to be troubled. The plot progresses rapidly when Michael is sent to report on a trial where an innocent man, Joe Briggs, is being convicted of the murder he witnessed. His testimony is the only evidence against Joe and Michael feels responsible for the conviction.

As he walks back to his apartment after the trial, he stumbles upon a homeless man who he gives a dime to. Upon reaching his apartment building, Michael finds the same homeless man sleeping on the third-floor landing. The man is taken by a police officer and accused of the very same murder he testified to.

Michael, still feeling guilty over Joe's sentencing, goes back to the diner where he saw the murder take place. The cook tells him that the man he identified as the murderer, Briggs, had been in the diner that morning and had ordered breakfast just like any other day. This realization sends Michael into a tailspin and he becomes certain that he had misidentified the killer.

The film takes a dark and eerie turn when Michael begins to suspect his neighbor who he first met on the third floor landing of his apartment building. This character, played by Peter Lorre, is an unsettling and strange man who is always lurking around.

Michael begins to obsess over his neighbor and believes him to be the actual murderer. He even gets his friend, an artist who loves to sketch people, to sketch the creepy neighbor. Michael's obsession with his neighbor takes hold of him to the point that he loses touch with reality.

The film is filled with dark and eerie tones that give the movie its film noir flavor. The use of shadows and striking visuals creates an eerie atmosphere for the audience that draws them deeper into the tale. The performances of the actors, especially Peter Lorre, add to the already haunting tone of the film.

The Stranger on the Third Floor is not a typical crime thriller, but rather it is a story of psychological unrest and confusion. The movie explores questions of guilt, justice, and the human psyche. It forces the audience to question their own judgments and perceptions of reality.

Overall, The Stranger on the Third Floor is an engrossing and captivating thriller that is sure to give the audience chills. The story, performance, and the visual style of the film make it an excellent addition to the film noir genre. It's a great watch for fans of classic cinema, and anyone who loves a dark and suspenseful tale.

The Stranger on the Third Floor is a 1940 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.