Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Majorthebys Charming and brutal

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

JohnHowardReid Gloria Stuart (Irene von Hellsdorf), Lionel Atwill (Robert von Hellsdorf, her father), Paul Lukas (Captain William Brink, her suitor), Edward Arnold (Commissioner Foster), Onslow Stevens (Frank Faber), William Janney (Thomas Brandt), Robert Barrat (Paul, the butler), Muriel Kirkland (Betty, the maid), Russell Hopton (Max, the chauffeur), Elizabeth Patterson (Mary, the cook), James Durkin (Foster's assistant), Anders van Haden (strange man).Director: KURT NEUMANN. Screenplay: William Hurlbutt. Story: Erich Philippi. Photography: Charles Stumar. Art director: Stanley Fleischer. Music: Heinz Letton (from the 1932 German movie of Erich Engels). Music director: Abe Meyer. Film editor: Philip Cahn. Associate producer: Henry Henigson. Producer: Carl Laemmle, Jr. Copyright 14 July 1933 by Universal Pictures Corp. Presented by Carl Laemmle. New York opening at the Rialto: 12 September 1933. U.S. release: 20 July 1933. 7 reels. 66 minutes. COMMENT: A surprisingly effective "old house" mystery with an intriguing script, interesting characters and well-paced dialogue. And for this viewer there were at least three big surprises. I expected solid performances from most of the players, but what I didn't expect was a real bobby-dazzler of a climax from both script and art director (of all people!). Suddenly we are presented with really magnificent sets. Also unexpected is the astutely atmospheric direction from a "B"-grade hack like Kurt Neumann. And for once the absence of background music (often a killer in early talkies) contributes rather than detracts from the cleverly built-up suspense.OTHER VIEWS: A feast of really creepy art direction in the final reel puts this Universal creeper into the must-see category. The suspense comes across in spades, thanks to Neumann's exciting, fluid direction, and despite stiff acting by nearly all the principals except the ever-reliable Edward Arnold. Most viewers will guess at least one of the blue room's secrets, but there are surprises galore!

MartinHafer During the 1930s, there were a ton of 'dark house mysteries'...films where a murder takes place at some creepy house or mansion. The cops end up investigating and eventually it's all sorted out by the end...and there are usually a few more bodies by the time it's all sorted. Because of this, there is definitely a sameness to this movie as these others...though fortunately there are enough differences to make it interesting.The film begins with Irene's 21st birthday. Apparently she (Gloria Stuart) is quite the catch, as three men are there vying for her affection at this little party. To prove his rugged manliness, the youngest of her suitors promises to spend the night in the Blue Room. Why is this so scary? Twenty years ago, three people died there...and it's been bolted shut ever since. The two other suitors join him and by morning, one of them is dead. Soon the inspector (Edward Arnold) arrives and tries to figure out what happened.It's interesting that the same exact musical intro occurs in this film as "Dracula"....made by the studio two years earlier. "Swan Lake" was reused and most folks might not recognize it...and the IMDb trivia draws attention to this.So is it any good? Well, it does help that the film has some excellent actors in it, such as Lionel Atwill and Paul Lukas. He and the rest of the cast do a competent job with the story

timpulley 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.

Raymond Valinoti, Jr. Because it was released by the premier horror studio Universal, focuses on an old castle with a spooky room, and features horror star Lionel Atwill, SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM has been marketed as a horror film throughout the year. It's actually a whodunit with horror elements that influence but never dominate the film. But it would be close-minded to reject this film just because it's not a full-fledged chiller. SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM is an enjoyable film that projects an air of menacing mystery and efficiently moves the plot with a palpable suspense until the movie's resolution.SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM benefits from attractive sets (leftover from THE OLD DARK HOUSE and FRANKENSTEIN) that convey an ornate yet forbidding castle milieu. Director Kurt Neumann, while no stylist in the James Whale vein, effectively utilizes the setting's atmospheric potential. He provides a suitably eerie aura with taste and restraint, avoiding obvious stunts like self-playing pianos. Such gimmicks would damage the film's mood and credibility.On the whole, performances are good. The actors and actresses provide believable characterizations that help propel the plot. Particularly impressive are Lionel Atwill as the castle owner troubled by his estate's secrets and Edward Arnold as a detective who handles the castle's mysteries in a domineering, no-nonsense manner. Elizabeth Patterson is mildly annoying as a terrified maid, but fortunately her performance doesn't affect BLUE ROOM's atmosphere.Curiously, a few of the plot's riddles remain unexplained at the film's end. It would have been logical for Universal to provide a sequel with the same fine cast in order to resolve everything. Instead, the studio chose to remake the film twice with different performers. But BLUE ROOM's minor plot holes shouldn't detract one from enjoying this well-made mystery.