The Black Room

The Black Room

Dead or Alive... He could kill!

NR 1935 · 70 min · ★ 6.5 · Horror, Crime

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...

Directed by Roy William Neill · Written by Arthur Strawn

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Cast

Boris Karloff Baron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de Berghman
Marian Marsh Thea Hassel
Robert Allen Lt. Albert Lussan
Thurston Hall Col. Paul Hassel
Katherine DeMille Mashka
John Buckler Beran - the gypsy
Henry Kolker Baron de Berghman
Colin Tapley Paul Hassel as a young lieutenant
Torben Meyer Peter, the majordomo
John George Inn Waiter (uncredited)
John Bleifer Franz - Captured Assassin-Villager (uncredited)
Marion Lessing Maria the Chambermaid

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