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Stranger on the Third Floor follows reporter Mike Ward (John McGuire) who is about to testify on a murder trial, much to the chagrin of her fiancée Jane (Margaret Tallichet). But when one of Ward's neighbor turns out dead, he becomes the prime suspect. That is unless Jane can find the stranger that Mike had seen spying on the neighbor's apartment days before.
This is a film that is often mentioned as one of the first film noir. It has most of the typical ingredients; a mystery, narration, use of shadows and camera angles, and a lead character stuck in what seems like an impossible situation. Most of those elements, especially the ones that have to do with the direction and cinematography are expertly used here. There is a lengthy dream sequence towards the middle act that is quite impressive.
The film also has the advantage of a breezy runtime. At 63 minutes, it's quite easy to get through. However, even with such a brief runtime, the film does have an odd pace as it takes quite a bit to get things going. The whole setup takes pretty much the first two acts, while most of the key events are bunched in the last one, including the main murder. That results in things feeling somewhat rushed.
In addition, McGuire is not a very memorable lead. I did enjoy Tallichet, and liked how her character is more important to the plot than one might think. Then we have Peter Lorre, as the titular "stranger". He's one of my favorite classic actors and I always enjoy watching him in anything. One of those actors that always seems to be giving his all on every film, no matter where he hides.
Grade:
STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR
(1940, Ingster)
(1940, Ingster)
"Besides, where you'll go? They'll find you no matter where you hide."
Stranger on the Third Floor follows reporter Mike Ward (John McGuire) who is about to testify on a murder trial, much to the chagrin of her fiancée Jane (Margaret Tallichet). But when one of Ward's neighbor turns out dead, he becomes the prime suspect. That is unless Jane can find the stranger that Mike had seen spying on the neighbor's apartment days before.
This is a film that is often mentioned as one of the first film noir. It has most of the typical ingredients; a mystery, narration, use of shadows and camera angles, and a lead character stuck in what seems like an impossible situation. Most of those elements, especially the ones that have to do with the direction and cinematography are expertly used here. There is a lengthy dream sequence towards the middle act that is quite impressive.
The film also has the advantage of a breezy runtime. At 63 minutes, it's quite easy to get through. However, even with such a brief runtime, the film does have an odd pace as it takes quite a bit to get things going. The whole setup takes pretty much the first two acts, while most of the key events are bunched in the last one, including the main murder. That results in things feeling somewhat rushed.
In addition, McGuire is not a very memorable lead. I did enjoy Tallichet, and liked how her character is more important to the plot than one might think. Then we have Peter Lorre, as the titular "stranger". He's one of my favorite classic actors and I always enjoy watching him in anything. One of those actors that always seems to be giving his all on every film, no matter where he hides.
Grade: