Murder on the Second Floor

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Murder on the Second Floor
Murder on the Second Floor film Theatrical release poster (1932).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by William C. McGann
Written by
Based onplay by Frank Vosper
Produced by Irving Asher
Starring
CinematographyWillard Van Enger
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Brothers (UK)
Release date
  • January 1932 (1932-01)(UK)
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language English

Murder on the Second Floor is a 1932 British thriller film directed by William C. McGann and starring Pat Paterson, John Longden and Sydney Fairbrother. [1] It was written by Roland Pertwee and Challis Sanderson based on the 1929 play of the same name by Frank Vosper. Warner Brothers later remade it in Hollywood as Shadows on the Stairs (1941).

Contents

Plot

When commercial traveller Joseph Reynolds is found murdered, suspicion falls on Lucy, the maid in his boarding-house, who is found dead in a cupboard – an apparent suicide. But young playwright Hugh Bromilow, who also lives in the house, believes that Lucy is innocent, and decides to investigate. He identifies the landlady's husband as the murderer. But there is a twist.

Cast

Reception

Kine Weekly wrote: "The fantastic story is written with skill and showmanship, and all the intriguing qualities are brought to the fore by good team work and competent direction. ... The story, when one gets down to fundamentals, is wildly incredible, but the ingenious manner of presenting it disarms criticism on this score. In fact, it is its fantastic qualities which furnish the unexpected, without which this type of entertainment is incomplete. There are so many twists, thrills and surprises that the interest is always held, and there is no time to dwell upon the improbabilities." [2]

Film Weekly wrote: "Unhappily, the director has failed to catch the atmosphere essential to the drama, or to interpret the author's idea, and he is hindered rather than helped most of his players. Sydney Fairbrother, the only really capable member of the cast, saves the situation occasionally by her delightful comedy touches in the role of an elderly maiden lady... Murder on the Second Floor is a good film gone wrong in the making." [3]

Picture Show wrote: "No little credit for the thoroughly entertaining hour the film provides is due to the all-round excellence of the cast. Sydney Fairbrother, as a 'refaned' and acid spinster, provides the delightful comedy moments, John Longden, as the young author, acts with restraint and sincerity, Pat Paterson, Florence Desmond, as the Cockney servant, Ben Field and others, do sound work. Photography and recording are well above the average." [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Murder on the Second Floor". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "Murder on the Second Floor". Kine Weekly . 179 (1290): 73. 7 January 1932. ProQuest   2339758780.
  3. ↑ "Murder on the Second Floor". Film Weekly . 7 (177): 27. 5 March 1932. ProQuest   1705181228.
  4. ↑ "Murder on the Second Floor". Picture Show . 26 (666): 25. 6 February 1932. ProQuest   1879651873.
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