The Dark at the Top of the Stairs

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs

124 mins | Drama | Sept. 28, 1960

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.

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs

124 mins | Drama | Sept. 28, 1960

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
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.
IMDb rating 7.2
Producers Warner Bros. Pictures
Original title The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
Directors Delbert Mann
Writers William Inge, Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch

Cast

Robert Preston

as Rubin Flood

Dorothy McGuire

as Cora Flood

Eve Arden

as Lottie Lacey

Angela Lansbury

as Mavis Pruitt

Shirley Knight

as Reenie Flood

Lee Kinsolving

as Sammy Golden

Frank Overton

as Morris Lacey

Penny Parker

as Flirt Conway

Robert Eyer

as Sonny Flood

Robin Warga

as Harold

Ken Lynch

as Harry Ralston

Mary Patton

as Peg Ralston

Addison Richards

as Harris

Helen Wallace

as Lydia Harper

Emerson Treacy

as George, the banker

Peg La Centra

as Edna Harper (uncredited)