The Black Room (2003)
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70% of users liked it
(253 ratings)
A curse pronounced upon land baron DeBerghmann has devastating long-range consequences for his twin sons Gregor and Anton. Twenty years later, Anton (Boris Karloff) has developed into a debauched and much-hated despot, disposing of his enemies by dumping their bodies into the titular "black… More A curse pronounced upon land baron DeBerghmann has devastating long-range consequences for his twin sons Gregor and Anton. Twenty years later, Anton (Boris Karloff) has developed into a debauched and much-hated despot, disposing of his enemies by dumping their bodies into the titular "black room" on his estate. But when Anton's kindly, benevolent brother Gregor (also Karloff) returns home after a long absence, he is so beloved by the townspeople that Anton "graciously" gives up his title and estate to Gregor. Actually, Anton plans to kill his brother and take his place so that he can indulge in even more deviltry -- including the framing of young Lt. Lussan (Robert Allen), the sweetheart of the beautiful Thea (Marian Marsh), for the murder (committed by Anton) of Thea's father Col. Hassel (Thurston Hall). Ultimately, however, Anton's true identity is revealed by Gregor's faithful mastiff. Though reminiscent of an old folk legend, The Black Room was written directly for the screen by Arthur Strawn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nick Grinde, Roy William Neill
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Eerie, atmospheric, hokey B-film Gothic melodrama.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
In the running as one of the best horror pictures of the '30s.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Boris Karloff
as Baron Gregor de Berghmann
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Marian Marsh
as Thea Hassel
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Thurston Hall
as Col. Hassel
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Katherine De Mille
as Mashka
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John Buckler
as Beran
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Henry Kolker
as Baron Frederick de Berghmann
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Robert (Tex) Allen
as Lt. Albert Lussan
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Egon Brecher
as Karl
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John Bleifer
as Franz
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Torben Meyer
as Peter
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Colin Tapley
as Lt. Hassel
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Edward Van Sloan
as Doctor
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Fredrik Vogeding
as Josef
- Ann Doran
- Byron Foulger
- Charles Trowbridge
- Dick Curtis
- Don Beddoe
- Katherine DeMille
- Lorna Gray
- Robert Wilcox
- Roger Pryor