Stranger on the Third Floor

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Cast & Crew

Peter Lorre
The Stranger

John McGuire
Michael "Mike" Ward

Margaret Tallichet
Jane

Charles Waldron
District Attorney

Elisha Cook Jr.
Joe Briggs

Charles Halton
Albert Meng

Ethel Griffies
Mrs. Kane

Cliff Clark
Martin

Oscar O'Shea
The Judge

Alec Craig
Briggs' Defense Attorney

Boris Ingster
Director

Lee S. Marcus
Producer

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Critic Reviews for Stranger on the Third Floor

Audience Reviews for Stranger on the Third Floor

• Apr 24, 2010

  In "Stranger on the Third Floor," Michael Ward(John McGuire), a reporter, is the chief witness for the prosection in the murder trial of Joe Briggs(Elisha Cook Jr.), a drifter. During the trial, Michael's fiancee Jane(Margaret Tallichet) comes by to lend moral support. After Briggs is convicted of first degree murder and is likely to be sentenced to death, Michael starts to have second thoughts, especially after this strange dude(Peter Lorre) puts in an appearance. "Stranger on the Third Floor" is a dark little number with a very cool nightmare sequence. The movie is about how often appearances can be deceiving while taking a shot at the strict moral code of the time and this is an important lesson for Michael if he is to be a success at his chosen profession. However, the movie wraps a little too neatly and quickly, as more could have been done with the premise.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• Aug 13, 2008

  so it's a bit contrived and the lead actress is quite bad but this highly stylized film is considered the first noir with good reason: stunning art direction, especially the remarkable dream sequence, and great expressionist cinematography by nicolas musuraca. makes a powerful anti-death penalty statement as well
  Stella D Super Reviewer
• Jan 08, 2008

  A good little B-movie about a journalist whose eyewitness testimony convicts a potentially innocent man of murder. The journalist himself then becomes a victim of circumstantial evidence after his despised neighbour is murdered. The plot is contrived and overuses both flashback and voice-over, but there's an excellent expressionist dream sequence in the middle. John McGuire makes a dull hero but Peter Lorre walks away with the movie with his 10 minute contribution.
  Stephen M Super Reviewer
• Dec 01, 2007

  In some circles, the first film noir movie. The story is nothing special as Maguire plays a reporter who made the big time because of a mistaken identity murder which he later becomes involved in. There are some greatly-lit scenes which became a staple in film noir, but that dream sequence is worth it alone. Peter Lorre is as freakish as ever and Elisha Cook, jr. plays the classic sap perfectly. The story's a little uneven, but if you're a film noir fan Stranger on the Third Floor is a must.
  Michael G Super Reviewer

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