The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)
Everytime a woman turns her face away because she's tired or unwilling - there's someone waiting like me!
In Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood loses his job as a traveling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora is frigid because of trying to make ends meet. His teenage daughter Reenie is afraid of going out on dates, but eventually makes friends with a troubled Jewish boy Sammy Golden, and his son is a mama's boy. He finally storms out of the house when Cora falsely accuses him of having an affair with Mavis Pruitt.
Director: Delbert Mann
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 124 min
Release Date: September 28, 1960
Cast
- Robert Preston - Rubin Flood
- Dorothy McGuire - Cora Flood
- Eve Arden - Lottie Lacey
- Angela Lansbury - Mavis Pruitt
- Shirley Knight - Reenie Flood
- Lee Kinsolving - Sammy Golden
- Frank Overton - Morris Lacey
- Penny Parker - Flirt Conway
- Robert Eyer - Sonny Flood
- Robin Warga - Harold
Screenplay
- Irving Ravetch (Screenplay)
- Harriet Frank Jr. (Screenplay)
- William Inge (Theatre Play)
Music: Max Steiner
Cinematography: Harry Stradling Sr.
Editing: Folmar Blangsted
Production: Warner Bros. Pictures
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en
Themes
Struggling to Save a Failing Marriage, Unfaithful Husband's Quest for Redemption
Keywords
infidelity, salesman, antisemitism, 1920s
More Films by Director: Delbert Mann
More Films in Genre: Drama
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Dark at the Top of the Stairs about?
- In Oklahoma in the 1920s, Rubin Flood loses his job as a traveling salesman when the company goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora is frigid because of trying to make ends meet. His teenage daughter Reenie is afraid of going out on dates, but eventually makes friends with a troubled Jewish boy Sammy Golden, and his son is a mama's boy. He finally storms out of the house when Cora falsely accuses him of having an affair with Mavis Pruitt.
- Who directed The Dark at the Top of the Stairs?
- The Dark at the Top of the Stairs was directed by Delbert Mann.
- Who stars in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs?
- The Dark at the Top of the Stairs stars Robert Preston, Dorothy McGuire, Eve Arden, Angela Lansbury, Shirley Knight, Lee Kinsolving.
- How long is The Dark at the Top of the Stairs?
- The Dark at the Top of the Stairs has a runtime of 2h 4m (124 minutes).
- What genre is The Dark at the Top of the Stairs?
- The Dark at the Top of the Stairs is a Drama film.
- Where was The Dark at the Top of the Stairs produced?
- The Dark at the Top of the Stairs was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of The Dark at the Top of the Stairs?
- The themes of The Dark at the Top of the Stairs include: Struggling to Save a Failing Marriage, Unfaithful Husband's Quest for Redemption.