The Spiral Staircase is a 1961 American television film. It is a television adaptation of Ethel Lina White's novel Some Must Watch which was filmed in 1946 as The Spiral Staircase. It was directed by Boris Sagal.
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Plot summary
Helen Warren is a beautiful, mute girl, due to a childhood trauma, who unfortunately becomes the target of a mysterious killer who preys on young women with disabilities. There are many suspects at the mansion, and Helen feels she is the next victim. Eventually, she discovers the killer's identity, and they come face to face.
Cast
Elizabeth Montgomery as Helen Warren
Lillian Gish as Mrs. Warren
Gig Young as Stephen Warren
Edie Adams as Blanche
Eddie Albert as Albert Warren
Jeffrey Lynn as Doctor Parry
Frank McHugh as Constable Williams
Production
The production was the idea of David Susskind who originally wanted Jane Fonda to play the lead.
It was part of a series on NBC called Theatre '62. Spiral Staircase was to be the first of eight productions of David O. Selznick movies. Eventually the lead role went to Elizabeth Montgomery and her then-husband Gig Young.
Reception
"It was a routine play but they made it look pretty good", said the Los Angeles Times.