source: Secret of the Blue Room

Moviecut—Secret of the Blue Room

Secret of the Blue Room

SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM is a minor Universal horror/mystery from 1933, very similar in tone to the likes of THE OLD DARK HOUSE but not as iconic. Gloria Stuart, also of THE INVISIBLE MAN fame, co-stars and a lively cast is what lifts this out of the doldrums. The predictable storyline involves three men making a bet to stay in a room with a murderous past, with predictably spooky results. There's not much plotting here but then the film does last just over an hour in length; the biggest annoyance is that nobody ever thinks of a secret passage. Heck, I knew all about them by the time I was 10 from the kid's books I used to read! Lionel Atwill is a welcome presence as the patriarch figure.

This classic is rarely seen on TV. Old Dark House scenario with a murder mystery to solve. Lionel Atwill, a 1930s Universal Studio staple, is terrific--just mysterious enough to keep you guessing. Elizabeth Patterson does her best Una O'Connor imitation as the frightened old maid type, and the youthful Gloria Stuart sings. Edward Albert is a standout later in the film as the investigator of the mysterious goings on. Due to the short running time, this little thriller catches steam rapidly and comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Remade several times, including once as a musical. This film has terrific atmosphere, due to the relatively elaborate sets, considering the "B" film status.

Movie takes place in a large dark eerie castle where a man (Lionel Atwill) lives with his daughter (Gloria Stuart). She's being wooed by three young men who want to marry her but she can't decide which one she wants. Twenty years before three unsolved murders happened in one room of the castle (the blue room). Since then the room has been blocked off. The three guys decide to prove their bravery--they'll each spend a night in the room. Naturally things go wrong. Often thought of as a horror film but it really isn't. It's whodunit with horrific touches. The castle is dark and spooky and the movie begins on a dark and rainy night. Also it's lots of fun. It moves quickly (it's only 66 minutes), has a good cast and an interesting mystery. Worth checking out.

Any Universal film that starts off with the music of "Swan Lake" over the credits gets attention in my book, whether it be horror or romantic melodrama. And for this basically forgotten old dark house thriller to start off that way (and last only 65 minutes!), you know you're hooked! This is a gathering at a scene of a long ago murder, inside the blue room, which is utilized for three men who desire the hand in marriage of the heroine (Gloria Stuart). Of course, like "And Then There Were None", the number decreases, comedy and thrills increase, and the revelation is not what you expect. This has a great cast, especially Elizabeth Patterson as the deaf, yet still wise-cracking cook, who doesn't want any murders happening on her shift since that could ruin everybody's appetite.

Not bad little Old Dark House quickie from Universal with a great cast and a "guess you had to be there" plot. A trio of horndogs (Paul Lukas, Onslow Stevens, William Janney) want to marry pretty Gloria Stuart, despite her warbly singing voice. So they decide to have a contest to see who gets her hand. All three men will spend one night in the "blue room," a supposedly haunted room of a spooky old mansion where three murders were committed twenty years earlier. Then the fun starts. In addition to the top talent already mentioned, this one also features Paul Barrat, Lionel Atwill, and Edward Arnold. Pretty good lineup. It's definitely worth a look for classic film fans. Probably won't blow you away or anything but I doubt you'll feel your hour and change was wasted.

Secret of the Blue Room (1933) *** (out of 4) Forgotten Universal mystery/horror film about a haunted room that kills whomever stays the night in it. Is it a ghost or something else? I was shocked to see how well made this film was and the direction added some nice atmosphere along the way. The story is very well written with a nice mystery and a wonderful ending that certainly caught me off guard. The only weak part is some of the police investigation. Stars Lionel Atwill and Gloria Stuart. Rare but certainly worth searching for. I might even prefer this to The Old Dark House, which shared some of the same sets as this film. Remade twice by Universal.