Downstairs
“HE WAS A BACHELOR ON A PERPETUAL HONEYMOON!”
Synopsis
In the Austrian manor of Baron and Baroness von Burgen, the relationship between the upstairs aristocracy and the downstairs staff is quite positive. The servants seem to enjoy their time together, and some even fall in love, as head butler Albert and maid Anna have done. But when lecherous new chauffeur Karl Schneider enters the house, affairs and blackmail follow, and the harmony of the home is slowly destroyed.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Downstairs (1932) - John Gilbert
Type: Clip • Published 2009-12-13
Top Cast
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John Gilbert
Karl Schneider
Paul Lukas
Albert
Virginia Bruce
Anna
Hedda Hopper
Countess De Marnac
Reginald Owen
Baron 'Nicky' von Burgen
Olga Baclanova
Baroness Eloise von Burgen
Bodil Rosing
Sophie
Otto Hoffman
Otto
Lucien Littlefield
Françoise
Marion Lessing
The Countess' Maid Antoinette
Naomi Childers
Servant (uncredited)
Torben Meyer
Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
Karen Morley
Karl's New Employer (uncredited)
Russ Powell
Cafe Proprietor (uncredited)
Nicholas Soussanin
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Ellinor Vanderveer
Party Guest (uncredited)
Dorothy Vernon
Servant (uncredited)
Michael Visaroff
Servant (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 6, 1932
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Monta Bell
- Screenplay & Story
- Melville Baker, Lenore J. Coffee
- Original Title
- Downstairs
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 17m
- Production Studios
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Monta Bell
Melville Baker, Lenore J. Coffee, John Gilbert
Harold Rosson
Conrad A. Nervig
Monta Bell
Department Leadership Roster
Melville Baker
Screenplay
Monta Bell
Director
Lenore J. Coffee
Screenplay
Harold Rosson
Director of Photography
Conrad A. Nervig
Editor
Monta Bell
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Downstairs.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Pre-Code Hollywood
Pre-Code Hollywood films, 1929 to 1934.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Downstairs
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Downstairs about?
In the Austrian manor of Baron and Baroness von Burgen, the relationship between the upstairs aristocracy and the downstairs staff is quite positive. The servants seem to enjoy their time together, and some even fall in love, as head butler Albert and maid Anna have done. But when lecherous new chauffeur Karl Schneider enters the house, affairs and blackmail follow, and the harmony of the home is slowly destroyed.
Who directed Downstairs?
Downstairs was directed by Monta Bell.
Who stars in Downstairs?
The principal cast of Downstairs includes John Gilbert, Paul Lukas, Virginia Bruce, Hedda Hopper, Reginald Owen.
When was Downstairs released and how long is it?
Downstairs was released in 1932 with a total runtime of 1h 17m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Downstairs?
Downstairs holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).