Episode 298: Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)

Special Guest: Stephen D. Youngkin
Guest Co-Hosts: Maitland McDonagh, Samm Deighan


Directed by Boris Ingster with a screenplay by Frank Partos , Stranger on the Third Floor (1940) defines the stylistic conventions that would come to be known as film noir. The movie stars John McGuire as a hot shot reporter and Margaret Tallichet as his best gal (who eventually becomes the protagonist). He's framed for a murder committed by the man only known as "The Stranger" (Peter Lorre).


Maitland McDonagh and Samm Deighan join Mike to discuss this first entry in the film noir pantheon as well as what it helped spawn. Author Stephen D. Youngkin joins the program to talk about the captivating Peter Lorre.

Links:

Buy Stranger on the Third Floor on DVD

Buy The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre by Stephen D. Youngkin

Buy books from Maitland McDonagh

Hear more from Samm Deighan on the Daughters of Darkness podcast

Visit the Diabolique Magazine website