Stranger on the Third Floor
Seen it?1940 | 64 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Coffy, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 4 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1940: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Newspaper reporter Michael Ward plunges into a nightmare of guilt, fearing that his "evidence" has sentenced the wrong man to death.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
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Cast & crew
Directed by Boris Ingster
- Peter LorreThe Stranger
- John McGuireMichael Ward
- Margaret TallichetJane
- Charles WaldronDistrict Attorney
- Elisha Cook Jr.Joe Briggs
- Charles HaltonAlbert Meng
- Ethel GriffiesMrs. Kane
- Cliff ClarkMartin
- Oscar O'SheaThe Judge
- Alec CraigDefense Attorney