1940·Mystery·1h 4m
7.1
★
Newspaper reporter Michael Ward plunges into a nightmare of guilt, fearing that his "evidence" has sentenced the wrong man to death.
Directed by Boris Ingster
film noir
b movie
wrongful conviction
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Peter Lorre
The Stranger
John McGuire
Michael Ward
Margaret Tallichet
Jane
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
Otto Hoffman
Charles Evans
Bobby Barber
Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited)
Lee Bonnell
Reporter (uncredited)
Crew
Boris Ingster
Director
Roy Webb
Original Music Composer
Nicholas Musuraca
Director of Photography
Renié
Costume Design
Van Nest Polglase
Art Direction
Popular Reviews
14 reviews
Skipp
6.0★ · 03/12/26
Can understand why it’s influential as an early film in the film noir genre, and the premise and visuals are both good, but something about Stranger on the Third Floor seems a bit lacking. Is it Peter Lorre doing his usual schtick, silent and looking guilty like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar every time he is on screen? Is it the fact that the story kind of meanders through the feelings of guilt? Or is it a mysterious third thing that I can’t put my finger on? Whatever the case, I thought this was alright.
Can understand why it’s influential as an early film in the film noir genre, and the premise and visuals are both good, but something about Stranger on the Third Floor seems a bit lacking. Is it Peter Lorre doing his usual schtick, silent and looking guilty like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar every time he is on screen? Is it the fact that the story kind of meanders through the feelings of guilt? Or is it a mysterious third thing that I can’t put my finger on? Whatever the case, I thought this was alright.
Cami
7.0★ · 11/07/25
Peter Lorre's hand!!!
Peter Lorre's hand!!!
Fabiana
8.0★ · 12/05/23
la sequenza del monologo interiore GODOOO
la sequenza del monologo interiore GODOOO
MariaPRO
6.0★ · 08/25/22
I honestly thought this was pretty compelling, with the use of shadows and the way they show if someone could be capable of murder even if they dont seem like it plus the failure of the justice system and the sensationalization of court cases by the media (all pretty relatable still sadly) but then they dropped the ball with the ending and by going nowhere with the spiral of the guy which is a shame. That dream sequence though !! So good.
I honestly thought this was pretty compelling, with the use of shadows and the way they show if someone could be capable of murder even if they dont seem like it plus the failure of the justice system and the sensationalization of court cases by the media (all pretty relatable still sadly) but then they dropped the ball with the ending and by going nowhere with the spiral of the guy which is a shame. That dream sequence though !! So good.
christy
8.0★ · 04/11/25