The Black Room

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source: The Black Room

Karloff plays a dual role here as twin brothers, the oldest of which is heir to the family fortune and lands. The children's' father fears the old prophesy that as the family began, so will it end, and it began with a younger jealous twin killing the older twin. This is what he fears will happen again since the younger twin inherits none of the lands that the older one does. Furthermore, the younger twin's right arm is paralyzed, giving the younger twin even more reason for bitterness and ultimately jealousy and murder. The prophesy also says that the murder will occur in the "Black Room" just as before. A family friend states the obvious - seal off the black room so that it cannot be used and thus the murder will never happen. The father does that, and erroneously rests easy. Well, history doesn't exactly repeat itself. The older twin, Gregor turns out to be evil, and the younger twin, Anton, though disabled and without property of his own, is a good and generous soul. Gregor invites Anton home to "help him" - which, unknown to Anton, is actually part of a devilish escape plot by Gregor whose subjects are boiling over with rage from all of the women who have gone missing in the castle over the years. Both brothers take a fancy to the daughter of Colonel Hassle, Thea (Marian Marsh), though Thea actually loves a soldier. Thea is quite uneasy with the affections of Gregor, given his polite but menacing demeanor and all of those rumors about missing girls. So how can Gregor manage to both get the girl and get away from the angry villagers? Watch and find out. The plot is extremely clever and ironic, Karloff's acting is superb with his roles seemingly tailor made for him, and the supporting players are very good, but there really isn't much atmosphere in this one to the point that it is really difficult to classify it as horror. Its strength is in its screenplay and in Karloff's performance, not its visuals. Still, I'd recommend this one.

Aware of a vicious curse rumored to fall on them, a man murders his benevolent twin to continue rule in his stead as he has been doing, only to slowly see his plan unravel when he falls for a young woman and threatens to find his ploy exposed. This here has a lot of problems that really hold this one down a lot. One of the biggest problems here is the simple fact that not a lot happens at all, as there's very little happenings that really generate any suspense or tension at all because it's gone ahead with the switch at the earliest possible convenience. Rather than build up the possible effects of the curse driving him mad and then making the switch to everyone's complete shock, this has them go out in quite early fashion so instead of anything remotely horror based going on it's left with his attempted wooing of the family and romance with the daughter while everyone else at the castle is nary a suspect to the real situation, a possible product of the time that may have been scary then but instead renders the entire middle segment of the film a complete bore. The fact that it takes a completely obscure plot-point with the dog knowing the truth to finally undo the ruse, who comes out of nowhere and is treated rather flimsily anyway as it's ignored most of the movie, and while it does have some fun in the chase back to the castle as well as the attempts to hide amongst the different passages for an exciting conclusion, it's not enough to rise above the dreariness before it. Today's Rating-PG: Violence.

Black Room, The (1935) *** (out of 4) Very good thriller has Boris Karloff playing twins who soon start to feel the curse put on their family. The first half of the film is overly talky and drags somewhat but all of that picks up in the second half. What the whole film has going for it is the brilliant duel performances from Karloff. He nails the good twin and the bad twin perfectly and his transformation towards the end is great to watch. The set design is beautiful to look at as well. 1935 was one hell of a year for Karloff with this, The Raven and Bride of Frankenstein.

I love Boris and in this movie he shines as the set of twins. I saw it for the first time last year. I recorded it and have watched it numerous times since. If you are his fan...this movie can not be missed. All the supporting actors are wonderful as well, and the beautiful Marion Marsh easy on the eyes. I knew Karloff was an under rated actor...But this movie proves it. Why more fuss was never made about this film, I just don't know. I will tell you I never saw the out come of this movie coming. Or maybe I just didn't want to spoil the shock for myself. Thank goodness for Halloween movies and TCM's airing of them or I would have caught this flick. Enjoy it, I know you will.

especially if you think, like myself, he ranks with the greatest actors of all time. Although it was nice to see The Ghoul get DVD treatment, this would be more deserving as this ranks, as previously reviewed, among his best. I don't know if anybody else notices this; but especially in this movie, it seems Boris has an odd resemblance to Keith Richards at times. Especially when he's playing the evil Gregor and leering and sitting in a chair with a leg over the side. Anyhow nice to find this one even if it is on VHS. Not familiar with other cast members in this one, as its not a Universal setting I'm more familiar seeing Boris in, but the acting is good and the sets are great. The all onyx black room is interesting. I hope Boris will be remembered among the greats as this century progresses.

Ever since I viewed this film in 1940, I was spellbound by Karloff's performance in The Black Room, everything eerie has been injected into the picture. The double exposures of Karloff in dual character are exceptionally fine and Boris is his usual self, in practically every sequence. He differentiates well between the twin brothers, and gives a sound performance with an ingenious "horror" plot. Karloff gave one of his best performances.

This film is competently directed and photographed, yet it is not noteworthy from either point of view. The story, concerning human compassion versus cruelty, and the cold, merciless workings of fate, is clever and interesting, all the more so since it does not linger too long and overstay its welcome...this film clocks in at 1 hour and change. By Columbia Pictures standards, this film is almost opulent, having several sets and a number of outdoor shots, and having good actors, costumes, technicians and atmosphere all around. But, since it is a Columbia Picture, central Europe looks amazingly like Southern California. Still, it proves that Universal did not have a monopoly on horror in the 1930's. This is not a supernatural film, except perhaps in the fact that it deals with the subjects of prophecy and fate...it is instead a psychological horror film and so it helps to have the right set of expectations going in. In a way, this film is a kind of precursor to the ambiguous metaphysics and psychological themes of the 1940's Val Lewton horror/noir classics. What makes this film stand out is Karloff's brilliant performance in the double role of twin brothers, one evil and one good. Karloff is completely convincing in both parts, and it is a genuine pleasure to watch him. It is also striking that even without monster make-up Karloff can scare the pants off you, when he chooses. Modern horror fans are liable to have trouble accessing this film, but it is recommended to fans of classic horror and classic film in general.

This movie was about a prophecy that was to come true after two twins were born. After many years go by the prophecy comes true. This seems like a short story that was rushed to get towards the end and therefore left alot of dissapointment during the movie with a rush towards the plot and ending. It was a good movie and one worth watching if your into Karlofs movies but it was not one of my favorites and not a collectors item.