The Black Room
"Dead or Alive... He could kill!"
Originally released in 1935. The Black Room is a horror/crime film. directed by Roy William Neill. At just 70 minutes, it's a tight, focused story.
Starring Boris Karloff, Marian Marsh, and Robert Allen
Synopsis
In a 16th-century European town, the ruling family has been given a prophecy that, should there ever be twin boys born, the younger will murder the older; so is dismayed when twins are born to the popular baron. The older grows to be a selfish, slovenly man, who inherits the castle at his father's death and becomes ruler over the formerly happy villagers. He enjoys his power until he learns his younger brother is returning from abroad and, afraid of the prophecy, he determines to murder his sibling, hide his body in the "black room" - an old torture chamber sealed away behind the fireplace - and then impersonate him, right down to his withered arm. In this way he hopes to not only avoid the prophecy, but also escape consequences of his other criminal deeds and obtain marriage to a local girl of the nobility...
Quick Facts
Release Date
July 15, 1935
90 years ago
Runtime
1h 10m
70 minutes total
User Rating
6.5/10
Good (59 votes)
Language
English
Original language
Country
United States of America
Production
Director
Top Cast
Boris Karloff
as Baron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de Berghman
Marian Marsh
as Thea Hassel
Robert Allen
as Lt. Albert Lussan
Thurston Hall
as Col. Paul Hassel
Katherine DeMille
as Mashka
John Buckler
as Beran - the gypsy
Henry Kolker
as Baron de Berghman
Colin Tapley
as Paul Hassel as a young lieutenant
Torben Meyer
as Peter, the majordomo
John George
as Inn Waiter (uncredited)
Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Black Room about?
In a 16th-century European town, the ruling family has been given a prophecy that, should there ever be twin boys born, the younger will murder the older; so is dismayed when twins are born to the ...
Who directed The Black Room?
The Black Room was directed by Roy William Neill.
How long is The Black Room?
The Black Room has a runtime of 1 hours and 10 minutes (70 minutes total).
When was The Black Room released?
The Black Room was released on July 15, 1935 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in The Black Room?
The main cast of The Black Room includes Boris Karloff, Marian Marsh, Robert Allen, Thurston Hall, Katherine DeMille.