The Spiral Staircase (1946)

Set in New England in the early 20th century, a small town is rocked by a series of murders. The victims are all young women with "imperfections": a limp, scarred face or mentally challenged. A young mute (Dorothy McGuire) in a secluded old mansion on a dark and stormy night would seem to be next on the killer's list. Based on the novel SOME MUST WATCH by Lina White and skillfully directed by film noir maestro, Robert Siodmak, this horror thriller is one of the very best "old dark house" movies. Everything falls into place: the acting, the sets, the music and especially the moody B&W cinematography of Nicholas Musuraca. The suspects are limited but it's not so much a whodunit as when will he strike and how will she survive (or will she?). As the mute girl, lovely Dorothy McGuire gives a strong fluid performance that one would have thought would easily have been Oscar nominated but Ethel Barrymore as the bedridden matriarch was the only one in front of or behind the camera that got a nomination. With George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Elsa Lanchester, Kent Smith, Sara Allgood, Rhys Williams and Gordon Oliver.