The Dark at the Top of the Stairs is a 1960 American drama film directed by Delbert Mann and starring Robert Preston and Dorothy McGuire.

When he learns his company is closing, he is unable to face her, and stops at a pharmacy to partake of "medicinal" alcohol.

Reenie, having witnessed the row, runs into the street, causing a motorist to swerve and strike a tree.

Lottie's bigotry is revealed when she suggests that Cora and Rubin might not want to allow Reenie to accompany a Jew to the party.

Sammy and Reenie kiss at the party, but Harry Ralston and his wife berate her for bringing a Jew to the country club, where they are not allowed.

Cora promises Sonny to stop being so over-protective so he can grow into a responsible adult, then receives a call to say that Sammy has died.

Warner Bros. announced in January 1960 that it would be producing a film version of Inge's play, directed by Delbert Mann and starring Robert Preston and Dorothy McGuire.

[4] In mid-July, it was announced that The Dark at the Top of the Stairs would headline the launch of the fall season,[5] and it opened at New York's Radio City Music Hall on September 22, 1960.

[1] Variety provided a favorable review, noting that The Dark at the Top of the Stairs was "well cast and persuasively acted.

"[6] However, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called it a "flawed adaptation of the original stage play.

"[7] Motion Picture Daily provided another positive review while criticizing Mann's direction, writing that he "failed to draw out some of the most vital scenes all the urgency and pathos that Inge had wrote into them.

[12][13] Eve Arden's performance rated among the five best of the year by supporting actresses, according to The Film Daily's poll of over 1,800 critics.