Shadows on the Stairs (Warner Bros.) (1941)

PUBLICITY (Lead Story) ‘Shadows On The Stairs’ Exciting New Mystery One of the most thrilling mystery films of the season will make its local debut this Friday at the Strand Theatre when Warner Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs” opens. The film tells the exciting story of a series of mysterious crimes that take place in what seems to be an ordinary London boarding house. Bult-.t ee people who live there are by no means ordinary. The film stars Frieda Inescort and Paul Cavanagh as two people who try to solve the peculiar goings-on in the boarding house which Miss Inescort owns. Her daughter, played by Heather Angel, is in love with Bruce Lester, who plays the role of a promising young playwright. Cavanagh discovers that one of the boarders, played by Turhan Bey, is the leader of a Mat 104—15c Frieda Inescort gang of crooks who rob docke ships and bring the loot to the rooming house. Telling no one about his discovery, Cavanagh decides to trap the criminals in his own manner. But Frieda Inescort, who notices that all isn’t on the up and up, accuses Cavanagh of carrying on some _ nefarious activity. She pleads with him to abandon whatever scheme he has in mind and he agrees to continue it for only one more night. Cavanagh enters Bey’s room that night and learns that he has stolen a box of valuables which are to be used to finance an international plot against Britain. The next morning Cavanagh is found brutally murdered in his room. On investigation, Scotland Yard learns that everyone in the house might have had a reason to kill him. Miles Mander and Phyllis Barry are featured in the supporting cast. “Shadows On The Stairs” was directed by D. Ross Lederman and the scenario was written by Anthony Coldeway from a play by Frank Vosper. (Opening Day Story) New Mystery-Thriller Opens Today at Strand Thrills, murder and mystery are the elements that make up the new Warner Bros. film “Shadows On The _ Stairs” which opens at the Strand Theatre today. It is an adventurous story of a gang of international criminals who use an inconspicuous London boarding house as their hideout. Frieda Inescort plays the role of a woman who owns the boarding Mat 106—15c house and Paul Cavanagh becomes involved when she tries to solve a series of mysterious events. Aiding her, and becoming even more deeply involved is Paul Cavanagh, in the role of a boarder who discovers the leader of the gang. Heather Angel, in the role of Miss Inescort’s daughter, lends romance to the film by falling in love with Bruce Lester, portraying a young playwright. When Cavanagh decides to put an end to the criminal activities of a fellow lodger, played by Turhan Bey, Frieda Inescort believes he is in on the foul play that has been going on. She pleads with him to stop his mysterious behavior and he agrees to continue for only a few more hours. That night he has a talk with Bey but it gets no results. The next morning Cavanagh is found murdered in his room. Scotland Yard is called in on the case and proves that everyone in the house had a reason to kill him. Featured in the supporting cast are Miles Mander and Phyllis Barry. “Shadows On The Stairs” was written by Anthony Coldeway from a play by Frank Vosper. D. Ross Lederman directed the film. (Review) ‘Shadows On The Stairs’ Topnotch Mystery Film A hair-raising mystery film, packed with excitement, thrilled Strand Audiences yesterday at the Strand Theatre, when Warner Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs” had its initial local showing. It is the story of a gang of ruthless criminals who use a London boarding house for their hideout. Frieda Inescort, who has never given a poor performance, keeps up the good work with her current role as the owner of the boarding house who tries to restore peace to the place. Paul Cavanagh gives a smooth, realistic portrayal of a person who is anxious to get to the bottom of all the mysterious goings-on in his own peculiar manner. Heather Angel is charming as Miss Inescort’s daughter and gives the film a touch of romance when she falls in love with Bruce Lester, who gives a splendid performance as a young playwright. Miles Mander and Phyllis Barry lead the supporting cast in the roles of two characters who become innocently involved in the crimes. One morning Cavanagh is found murdered in his room, evidently because his investigations revealed too much. However when Scotland Yard is called in, they show that anyone in the house might have killed him. After many an exciting experience, the killer is finally trapped and his identity will surprise everyone. The script, which is packed with action was written by Anthony Coldeway from a play by Frank Vosper. “Shadows On The Stairs” was directed by D. Ross Lederman. ‘Shadows on the Stairs’ Fast Mystery Yarn Coming to the Strand Not only the background in the story, but the story’s past, as well as its present, stamp Warner Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs,” which opens Friday at the Strand Theatre, as a favorite among mystery stories. Written by Frank Vosper, English playwright, the story of intrigue in London, and sudden death on the East India Docks, first became a popular success when it was presented for extended runs on the New York and London stages. Laurence Olivier made his first bid for notice by American audiences when he played a role in its New York run. When presented as a film in England in 1932, Playwright Vosper played his own lead opposite Pat Paterson, now Mrs. Charles Boyer. In the current version which was directed by D. Ross Lederman, the thriller went before the lens with a superb cast. Players include Frieda Inescort, Paul Cavanagh, Heather Angel, Bruce Lester, Miles Mander and Phyllis Barry in the featured roles with a fine supporting cast. ‘Shadows on the Stairs’ Suspenseful New Film A thrilling mystery film that will keep you in suspense from start to finish will open next Friday at the Strand Theatre. The picture called “Shadows On The Stairs,” is the exciting story of a band of criminals who use a London boarding house as a hideout. Frieda Inescort is cast as the owner of the rooming house and together with Paul Cav Mat 105—15c Frieda Inescort anagh, who portrays one of the lodgers, she tries to track down the criminals. Heather Angel and Bruce Lester lend the romantic angle to the film as a young couple who don’t let crime interfere with love. The picture is crammed full of adventure and exciting action. “Shadows On The Stairs” was written by Anthony Coldeway from a play by Frank Vosper. D. Ross Lederman directed the Warner Bros. film. Resourceful Actress Charming, talented and British actress, Frieda Inescort, is starred in Warner’ Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs”, with Paul Cavanagh and Heather Angel, which opens at the Strand next Friday. The resourceful player revealed recently that she turned actress from newspaper woman in New York so that she could make the money to travel. egreph, Ine. Mat 204—30c SUSPENSEFUL MOMENT from the exciting Warner Bros. mystery-thriller, “Shadows On The Stairs,” coming to the Strand Theatre next Friday. Shown above are Frieda Inescort and Paul Cavanagh. New Film Packs Wallop A mystery thriller that packs a wallop, yet offers an unexpected twist that takes it out of the class of average whodunits, is Warner Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs,” opening at the Strand on Friday. The fast-paced film stars Frieda Inescort and Paul Cavanagh and offers a supporting cast of such talented players as Heather Angel and Bruce Lester. Mystery at Strand Soon The Strand Theatre is pleased to announce that Warner Bros.’ “Shadows On The Stairs,” newest action-mystery drama, will open next Friday. The suspenseful film is different, entertaining and well cast, with such talented players as Frieda Inescort, Paul Cavanagh, Heather Angel, Bruce Lester and Miles Mander. D. Ross Lederman directed the film. SYNOPSIS (Not For Publication) Stella Armitage (Frieda Inescort) and her husband Tom (Miles Mander) run a boarding house where many mysterious events take place. Her daughter Sylvia (Heather Angel) and Hugh Bromilow (Bruce Lester) try to find out exactly what is going on. Joseph Reynolds (Paul Cavanagh) also decides to put a stop to some of the peculiar happenings but doesn’t tell anyone how he intends to do so. Stella pleads with him to abandon what she believes are nefarious schemes but he stalls. Reynolds discovers that a roomer (Turhan Bey) is involved in an international plot and has a talk with him. The next morning, Reynolds is found murdered and Scotland Yard reveals that everyone in the house had a motive for the crime. The identity of the murder comes as a complete surprise. THE CAST Mrs. Stella Armitage Joseph Reynolds Sylvia Hugh Bromilow Tom Armitage Inspector Ram Singh Constable Frieda Inescort Paul Cavanagh Heather Angel Bruce Lester Miles Mander Lumsden Hare Turhan Bey Charles Irwin Phyllis Barry Mary Field Paul Renay Sidney Bracy PRODUCTION Directed by D. ROSS LEDERMAN Screen Play by Anthony Coldeway;: From the Play by Frank Vosper; Director of Photography, Allen G. Siegler, A.S.C.; Art Director, Stanley Fleischer; Dialogue Director, Frank Fox; Film Editor, Thomas Pratt: Sound by Stanley Jones; Gowns by Milo Anderson; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore. Running Time 63 Minutes OFFICIAL BILLING WARNER BROS. Pictures, Inc., Presents 40% 5% “SHADOWS ON THE STAIRS"... with FRIEDA INESCORT — PAUL CAVANAGH HEATHER ANGEL — BRUCE LESTER — MILES MANDER * * * * * Directed by D. Ross Lederman 20% 20% 15% * * * « * Screen Play by Anthony Coldeway 3% From a Play by Frank Vosper 2% * * * * * A Warner Bros.-First National Picture 5%