michaelRokeefe Review of The Black Room

The Black Room (1935)

Karloff and Karloff try to survive prophesy.

[7/10 · 9 February 2012]

A gripping tale featuring a brilliant performance by Boris Karloff in a duel role as twin brothers Anton and Gregor de Berghman. Gregor is a brutal baron living in the shadow of an aged prophesy that the handicapped younger brother Anton will eventually murder him in their castle's "Black Room". When the kinder twin returns after a long absence, Gregor is jealous of the high regard Anton is given. The older twin is suspected of evil doing concerning the disappearance of young women of the village. Gregor decides to relinquish his power to Anton; only to murder him in the concealed "Black Room" and take his identity. It appears the prophesy is broken. When the villagers later get wind of the impersonation, there will be an unruly uprising and the discovery of the de Berghman castle's hidden "Black Room" and the prophesy will come to a true and chilling demise. Karloff is more than outstanding. Also starring are: Marian Marsh, Thurston Hall, Katherine DeMille, and Robert Allen.