We seem to be on a run of mysterious strangers – here is another one. The mysterious stranger this time is Conrad Veidt who takes up residence in a non too pleasant area of London in a boarding house whose residents are a mixture of sad, lonely and poor people.

Terrorised by an evil landlord, the inhabitants of a shabby London boarding house exist precariously on the edge of disaster and despair. But when a new, rather strange lodger (Conrad Veidt) arrives, things seem to mysteriously take a turn for the better.

Rene Ray plays one such resident and she really takes to the stranger whose quiet dignity and strength inspires her to survive in those tough times with his spiritual air

Conrad Veidt is impressive in this role.

This is a really interesting film, based on a Victorian play by Jerome K. Jerome.

Its director, Viertel, had left Germany for England, where he made several films. The Stranger is played by Conrad Veidt, famous for his roles in Dr. Caligari, and Casablanca.

It is an allegory of the struggle between good and evil. I especially enjoyed the performances of Conrad Veidt and Mary Clare, and Rene Ray 

This one of Conrad Veidt’s best portrayals, which says a lot, especially if you consider the parts he played particularly in The Thief of Bagdad, The Spy in Black and Casablanca.

This was a favourite film of my Dad’s – and it is certainly one of mine

Conrad Veidt gives a superlative performance as the Stranger who works to redeem the varied collection of inhabitants of the run-down boarding house 

The cast is all good – Sara Allgood as Mrs de Hooley. Rene Ray is appealing as the maid ‘Stasia, a rehabilitated juvenile delinquent, who is mistreated by Mrs Sharpe (Mary Clare), the owner of the house.

Shooting was planned for six weeks at Gainsborough Studios, Shepherd’s Bush, London, using a limited number of sets, and with just the single scene of the seaside visit to Margate shot outside the studio.

The film was released on 15 December 1935.

This is Director Viertel’s second British film after Little Friend (1934). He made just one more film, Rhodes of Africa (1936 )

The Passing of the Third Floor Back is directed by Berthold Viertel, runs 90 minutes, is made by Gaumont British Picture Corporation, is released by Gaumont British Distributors (UK) and Gaumont British Picture Corporation of America (US), is written by Michael Hogan and Alma Reville, based on a play and short story by Jerome K Jerome, is shot in black and white by Curt Courant, is produced by Ivor Montagu, and is scored by Hubert Bath and Louis Levy.

Rene Ray starred in the London stage production, playing the central role nearly 450 times In 1951–52 before reprising her performance in the film version. Born Irene Lilian Creese, and becoming by marriage Irene Lilian Brodrick, Countess of Midleton, she signed her name Rène not René.