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Catalog/Horror/The Black Room
The Black Room poster
A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 71.0 / 100
1935·Horror / Crime·1h 8m

THE BLACK ROOM

“Dead or Alive... He could kill!”

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...

Above the Line
Roy William Neill·DirectorHenry Myers·ScreenplayArthur Strawn·ScreenplayAllen G. Siegler·Director of PhotographyMilan Roder·MusicRichard Cahoon·Editor
Cast
Boris Karloff·Baron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de BerghmanMarian Marsh·Thea HasselRobert Allen·Lt. Albert LussanThurston Hall·Col. Paul HasselKatherine DeMille·MashkaJohn Buckler·Beran - the gypsyHenry Kolker·Baron de BerghmanColin Tapley·Paul Hassel as a young lieutenantTorben Meyer·Peter, the majordomoJohn George·Inn Waiter (uncredited)
Full Crew
(15 credits)
Directing· 1
Roy William Neill·Director
Writing· 3
Henry Myers·ScreenplayArthur Strawn·ScreenplayArthur Strawn·Story
Camera· 3
Allen G. Siegler·Director of PhotographyFayte M. Browne·Camera OperatorGert Andersen·Assistant Camera
Editing· 1
Richard Cahoon·Editor
Sound & Music· 4
Milan Roder·MusicR. H. Bassett·MusicLouis Silvers·MusicEdward Bernds·Sound
Art & Design· 2
Stephen Goosson·Art DirectionMurray Mayer·Costume Design
Other Departments· 1
Jack Cosgrove·Matte Painter
By the Numbers
71.0
OF 100
Master Score
6.9
OF 10
IMDb
—
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
—
Worldwide Gross
0
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind The Black Room's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#0D0A0A
#8C6B3E
#E8E8E8
Mood
Mysterious, Tense
Composition
Overlaid
Era
1980s
Visual Style
Photographic

“The poster features a top-down view of a wooden chessboard with white and black chess pieces. The white pieces are mostly on the left and bottom, while the blac”

thrillermystery
Key Elements
ChessboardChess PiecesGlass Container
Atmosphere
Dark, Gritty
Color Mood
Mixed
Setting
Indoor
Design Score
7/10
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THREE WAYS DEEPER

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