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DramaFantasyRomance

The Passing of the Third Floor Back

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The tenants of an old London boarding house spend their time in petty bickering and sniping until a mysterious stranger arrives at their door.

Release Date : 1935-09-01

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Gaumont-British Picture Corporation

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Conrad Veidt

Character Name : The Stranger

Original Name : Conrad Veidt

Gender : Male

Rène Ray

Character Name : Stasia

Original Name : Rène Ray

Gender : Female

Frank Cellier

Character Name : Wright

Original Name : Frank Cellier

Gender : Male

Anna Lee

Character Name : Vivian Tomkin

Original Name : Anna Lee

Gender : Female

John Turnbull

Character Name : Major Tomkin

Original Name : John Turnbull

Gender : Male

Cathleen Nesbitt

Character Name : Mrs. Tomkin

Original Name : Cathleen Nesbitt

Gender : Female

Ronald Ward

Character Name : Chris Penny

Original Name : Ronald Ward

Gender : Male

Beatrix Lehmann

Character Name : Miss Kite

Original Name : Beatrix Lehmann

Gender : Female

Jack Livesey

Character Name : Mr. Larkcom

Original Name : Jack Livesey

Gender : Male

Sara Allgood

Character Name : Mrs. de Hooley

Original Name : Sara Allgood

Gender : Female

Mary Clare

Character Name : Mrs. Sharpe

Original Name : Mary Clare

Gender : Female

Barbara Everest

Character Name : Cook

Original Name : Barbara Everest

Gender : Female

Alexander Sarner

Character Name : The Gramophone Man

Original Name : Alexander Sarner

Gender : Male

James Knight

Character Name : Police Inspector (Uncredited)

Original Name : James Knight

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-19

Don't be put off by the rather unhelpful title. This is quite a clever story of man's inhumanity to his fellow creature. Frank Cellier is ""Wright" by name, but seldom by nature in this tale of a group of lodgers living in his old London boarding house. The occupant's lives vacillate between occasional joy but mostly misery, and he relishes in prolonging the latter states of affairs - especially for the young kitchen maid "Stasia" (a good effort here from Rene Ray) who lives an almost "Cinderella" style existence. Then a stranger - Conradt Veidt - arrives amongst their number, and slowly but surely things start to take turn for the better for many of his colleagues. This new found happiness doesn't suit "Wright" and soon he is plotting the downfall of the newcomer, too. It's quite a basic, stage-bound, production, and many of the stars cut their teeth in that medium between the wars - Anna Lee, Cathleen Nesbitt and the instantly recognisable Sarah Allgood, so know their business well enough. Each character has their few moments in the sun as Veidt tries to help them to help themselves, not by giving them cash or jobs, but by empowering them to take control of their own lives more - and his approach is surprisingly effective. Veidt is perfectly attired, aloof and debonaire with this performance, yet he does illuminate each scene with an intimacy. A kindness, maybe angelic or maybe just something more down to Earth - a decency of heart and spirit. Cellier's portrayal of the odious, manipulative landlord ought not to be overlooked either, he manages quite successfully to get your heckles up before a suitably fitting ending!