Movie Review: The Black Room (1935) directed by Roy William Neill
In the Tyrol region of Austria, twin sons are born to Baron Frederick de Berghman (Henry Kolker). He is not pleased by this turn of affairs, as there is a prophecy about his family line. The first Baron de Berghman was stabbed to death by his younger twin brother in the castle’s “Black Room”, and the last baron will have the same thing happen to him. This may seem a silly superstition to many, but the Baron believes it. The Baron’s friend, Lt. Hassel (Colin Tapley), suggests forestalling fate by simply walling off the so-called Black Room so that it cannot be entered, and thus no one can be murdered there. This suggestion is taken.
The twins lose their mother while small children, and their father as young men. Older brother Gregor (Boris Karloff) becomes the baron. Younger brother Anton (Boris Karloff) who was born with a paralyzed right arm, sticks it out for a while, but it soon becomes evident that Gregor is more disturbed by the prophecy than is reasonable. Anton leaves the country to study and travel.
Something over a decade later, Anton is summoned back to the barony by Gregor. Gregor has become a cruel tyrant. The peasants could probably put up with that (for such is the lot of peasants) if it were not that there is a rash of disappearances of comely young women. All of them were seen near the baron shortly before they vanished. Suspicion runs high that he has murdered them, but the imperial authorities have declined to investigate. Assassination attempts on Gregor have become a serious risk.
Anton and his mastiff Tor are a welcome sight by comparison. Anton was well known for his kindness and gentle manner, and seems to have retained it during his absence. Lieutenant Hassel has now become Colonel Hassel (Thurston Hall), who is loyal to Gregor despite his master’s unpleasant behavior. The colonel’s lovely niece Thea (Marian Marsh) has attracted Gregor’s interest, but much prefers the company of young Lieutenant Albert Lussan (Robert Allen).
When yet another disappearance whips the townsfolk into an angry mob, Gregor stuns them with a bold proposal. He will renounce his title, transferring the barony to his much more popular brother Anton, and in exchange Gregor will be allowed to leave the country alive, never to return. The mob isn’t too thrilled with this compromise, but lynching Gregor would get them all punished. (The imperial authorities might not care about peasant women disappearing, but kill a nobleman? That would be something they care very much about!) Anton, who wants to think the best of his brother, reluctantly agrees.
In reality, Gregor has no intention of leaving. He’s found a secret second entrance to the Black Room. His real plan is to murder Anton and take his place as a beloved baron who can then marry an unsuspecting Thea and live happily ever after.
Can Gregor manage to cheat fate?
This 1935 costume drama is generally classed as a horror movie, presumably because of its star, but is more of a thriller. The violence is bloodless (and the actual blows are off-screen) and it’s less scary than suspenseful.
Karloff is excellent in his double role, and gets to show off his acting range as the cruel Gregor, gentle Anton and Gregor impersonating Anton. Anton’s disability is played reasonably realistically, with Gregor discovering some moments when not having the use of his right arm is tougher than Anton made it look.
The rest of the cast is also good, especially Colonel Hassel. A special mention for Tor, whose wonder dog moments are not overlong.
I like the sets in general–the Black Room itself is a little underwhelming, but the black and white film allows a neat onyx wall effect.
One bit does grate–Colonel Hassel is all too ready to ignore Thea’s feelings in order to get her married to Anton. Indeed, he never even asks her!
Content note: brief animal abuse.
Overall: This is an excellent short movie (just over an hour) and well worth watching for both Boris Karloff fans and folks who are curious about Karloff but aren’t quite ready for his scarier movies.
