MovieChat Forums > The Black Room (1935) Discussion > Overlooked little jewel

Overlooked little jewel

posted 19 years ago by BijouBob8mm
11 replies | jump to latest

This is a great little thriller that seems almost all but forgotten, today. Boris Karloff plays identical twins; one sympathetic and the other, homicidal. Directed by Roy William Neill, who gave us many of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films (along with FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN and the screen's first version of DOCTOR SYN), not a frame of film is wasted here. While Columbia Pictures was often looked down on when it came to feature films during Hollywood's Golden Age, this film can hold its own alongside other, more prominent, Hollywood horrors of the day.

[–] crisso 19 years ago

I remember seeing this several years ago - I'd love to see it again, especially after having found a new appreciation for the acting greatness of Boris Karloff. I wonder if there's any chance of a DVD release?

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cinefool 17 years ago

crisso,

I know you posted about "The Black Room" quite a while ago, but to answer your question, Sony has recently released it onto DVD with 3 other Karloff films. The set is called the Icons of Horror Collection, and also includes "The Man They Could Not Hang", "Before I Hang", and "The Boogie Man Will Get You". All four films were produced by Columbia Studios during the 1930's and 40's, and all of them are reasonably diverting.

[–] Mr_McLaurel 14 years ago

Agreed! Karloff is fantastic in what could be called a TRIPLE-role, since he also plays the evil twin pretending to be the good twin. Good movie! 9/10.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] beckeis 12 years ago

I'm watching this movie now -- it truly is an amazing movie. Very moody and Karloff is superb!

[–] Hagalaz2000 12 years ago

Just finished watching it also, good movie. Wondering what kind of dog that was?

Leave the gun, take the cannolis

[–] joystar5879 12 years ago

He looked part Mastiff to me.

[–] Harold_Robbins 12 years ago

Quite well-done - lighting and cinematography were excellent, with the leading lady especially benefiting. The split-screen work was very good, but the scenes with Karloff playing the twins should have been edited just a bit more tightly to make the dialog seem more natural. Excellent production values, too.

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

[–] gungadin20002 12 years ago

I just saw this movie for the first time on tv. I cannot believe I had never heard of it before. 10 stars!!!

[–] jdforyou1983 (1469) 3 years ago

It's a great little film

[–] rateater (9206) 2 years ago

looks good