Ignoring an ancient prophecy, evil brother Gregor seeks to maintain his feudal power on his his Tyrolean estate by murdering and impersonating his benevolent younger twin.
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Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Boris Karloff | ... |
Baron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de Berghman
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| Marian Marsh | ... |
Thea Hassel
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| Robert Allen | ... |
Lt. Albert Lussan
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| Thurston Hall | ... |
Col. Paul Hassel
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| Katherine DeMille | ... |
Mashka
(as Katherine de Mille)
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| John Buckler | ... |
Beran
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| Henry Kolker | ... |
Baron Frederick de Berghman
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| Colin Tapley | ... |
Lt. Paul Hassel
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| Torben Meyer | ... |
Peter
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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John Beck | ... |
Court Clerk (uncredited)
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Daniel Joseph Bleifer | ... |
Anton as a Child (uncredited)
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| John Bleifer | ... |
Franz - Captured Assassin-Villager (uncredited)
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| Sidney Bracey | ... |
Gregor's Hairdresser (uncredited)
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Egon Brecher | ... |
Karl - Lead Villager (uncredited)
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| Carrie Daumery | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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| Edwards Davis | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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| Victor De Linsky | ... |
Michael the Footman (uncredited)
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Abe Dinovitch | ... |
Gatekeeper (uncredited)
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| Von the Dog | ... |
Tor (uncredited)
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| Herbert Evans | ... |
Servant (uncredited)
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| Phyllis Fraser | ... |
A Bridesmaid (uncredited)
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| John George | ... |
Inn Waiter (uncredited)
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Octavio Giraud | ... |
Judge (uncredited)
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| Grace Goodall | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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| James Gordon | ... |
Gentleman (uncredited)
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Helena Grant | ... |
Anna the Housekeeper (uncredited)
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Bert Howard | ... |
Gentleman (uncredited)
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| Edith Kingdon | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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Richard Lancaster | ... |
Gentleman (uncredited)
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| Marion Lessing | ... |
Maria the Chambermaid (uncredited)
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| Lois Lindsay | ... |
A Bridesmaid (uncredited)
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| Ivan Linow | ... |
Gatekeeper (uncredited)
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| George Burr MacAnnan | ... |
A Servant (uncredited)
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| Mary MacLaren | ... |
Nun (uncredited)
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| George MacQuarrie | ... |
The Judge (uncredited)
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| Michael Mark | ... |
Peasant (uncredited)
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| Eric Mayne | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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Alex Melesh | ... |
Judge (uncredited)
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Louis Merrill | ... |
Story Teller in Trailer (uncredited)
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| Robert Middlemass | ... |
The Prosecutor (uncredited)
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Wilfrid North | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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Reinhold Pasch | ... |
Gregor's Tailor (uncredited)
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| Constantine Romanoff | ... |
Peasant (uncredited)
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John Singer | ... |
Raoul the Butler (uncredited)
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| Bert Sprotte | ... |
A Peasant (uncredited)
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Count Stefenelli | ... |
Member of the Court (uncredited)
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John M. Sullivan | ... |
The Archbishop (uncredited)
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| Edward Van Sloan | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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| Frederik Vogeding | ... |
Josef, Resentful Villager with Heavy Moustache (uncredited)
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Hans von Morhart | ... |
A Servant (uncredited)
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| Paul Weigel | ... |
A Peasant (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Roy William Neill | ... | (as R. William Neill) |
Written by
| Arthur Strawn | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Henry Myers | ... | (screenplay) |
| Arthur Strawn | ... | (story) |
Music by
| R.H. Bassett | ... | (uncredited) |
| Milan Roder | ... | (uncredited) |
| Louis Silvers | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Allen G. Siegler | ... | (photography) |
Editing by
| Richard Cahoon | ||
Casting By
| William Perlberg | ... | (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Stephen Goosson | ||
Costume Design by
| Murray Mayer | ||
Sound Department
| Edward Bernds | ... | sound engineer (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Jack Cosgrove | ... | matte painter (uncredited) |
| Roy Davidson | ... | process shots (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Gert Andersen | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Fayte M. Browne | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Louis Silvers | ... | musical director |
| Mischa Bakaleinikoff | ... | composer: Columbia Pictures Fanfare (uncredited) |
| Edmund Ross | ... | composer: stock music (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Harry Cohn | ... | president |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1935) (United States) (theatrical) (as Columbia Pictures Corporation)
- Columbia Pictures of Canada (1935) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures Corporation (1935) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures Proprietary (1935) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Columbia Films S. A. (1935) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Medal Film Exchange (1935) (Puerto Rico) (theatrical)
- Compagnia Edizioni Internazionali Artistiche Distribuzione (CEIAD) (1935) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Kamera Film Aktieselskap (1935) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Columbia Film Aktieselskap (1935) (Denmark) (theatrical)
- Sony Pictures Releasing (1935) (India) (theatrical) (as Columbia Films of India)
- Columbia Pictures (1955) (United States) (theatrical) (reissue)
- Screen Gems (1958) (United States) (tv) (as Son of Shock) (syndication)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1984) (United States) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2011) (United States) (DVD) (dvdr)
- Eureka Entertainment (2021) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (on Karloff at Columbia box set)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2023) (United States) (Blu-ray) (included in "Thrillers from the Vault")
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Prophecy has it that younger twin Anton will kill brother Gregor in the castle's Black Room. Anton returns to the castle after a 10 year hiatus. Gregor, a Baron, has many attempts on his life as his subjects detest his tyranny. However, good natured Anton earns the subjects' respect, and the admiration of Col.Hassel, uncle of the beautiful Thea. When Gregor kills young servant Mashka, his subjects storm the castle to remove him. Devious Gregor renounces his title in favour of brother Anton to appease them. He then kills Anton to assume his identity and the Baronship again. He is free to pursue Thea with Col.Hassel's blessing. When Col.Hassel discovers Gregor's impersonation, he also meets death. With Thea's true love, Lt. Lussan, wrongfully convicted of Hassel's murder, it appears nothing can stop evil Gregor from ambushing her into marriage. But what of that prophecy?
Written by Gary Jackson |
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| Taglines | Embraced by the Devil! Monster . . . his kiss the password to oblivion! See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Karloff's performance was voted runner-up to the best performance for the month of August, 1935 by the Screen Actors' Guild. Henry Fonda in "The Farmer Takes a Wife" and Will Rogers in "Steamboat 'Round the Bend" tied for the top award. See more » |
| Goofs | The film is set in the early 1800s, yet a statue of St. Therese of Lisieux (Therese Martin) is prominently displayed in the castle three times (at 17:26, 40:09, and 47:08). Therese Martin was not born until 1873. Furthermore, no statue of St. Therese was made or displayed until after she was canonized, in 1925. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Black Room (1962). See more » |
| Quotes |
Mashka:
Don't you want to kiss me? Baron Gregor de Bergmann: [Cutting a juicy pear with his knife and eating it as he talks] A pear is the best fruit! Mashka: Every time you see her, you want to be rid of me. Baron Gregor de Bergmann: [Seemingly ignoring her] Lots of juice in a pear! Mashka: Well, you'll find out I'll not be got rid of so easily! Do you hear what I say? Baron Gregor de Bergmann: Adam should've chosen a pear. Mashka: You've got it all planned, haven't you? You're gonna marry her. You're gonna make her your wife, your baroness! Baron Gregor de Bergmann: I like the feel of a pear! And when you're through with it... [He carelessly tosses it across the room] See more » |