The Black Castle (1952)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writer:

Jerry Sackheim (writer)

Release Date:

15 December 1952 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Horror | Action | Romance

Plot:

Man investigates the disappearance of two of his friends who were the guests of a sinister Austrian count. |

Plot Keywords:

Count | Mysterious Passage | Pendant | Eye Patch | Leopard Hunt

Cast

Richard Greene	...	Sir Ronald Burton, alias Richard Beckett
Boris Karloff	...	Dr. Meissen
Stephen McNally	...	Count Karl von Bruno
Rita Corday	...	Countess Elga von Bruno
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Gargon
John Hoyt	...	Count Steiken
Michael Pate	...	Count Ernst von Melcher
Nancy Valentine	...	Therese Von Wilk
Tudor Owen	...	Romley
Henry Corden	...	Fender
Otto Waldis	...	Krantz, the innkeeper

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:(Banned) (1952) | USA:Unrated | Sweden:15

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The movie was supposed to be set in the 18th century, yet there are German Shepherds in he courtyard. The German Shepherd came into being around 1900.

Quotes:

Count Karl von Bruno: Doctor, you're an expert on medical science. Isn't it true that the Ancient Romans were pain worshippers?
Dr. Meissen: Oh, yes, Herr Count. They even held endurance contests. It was a mark of distinction to suffer in silence.
Count Steiken: [Being treated for an arm wound by Dr. Meissen] Ah, naaah! Oh, no!
Count Karl von Bruno: Do you hear that, Steiken?
Count Steiken: [Screaming] Aaah, ah, ah! I'm not an Ancient Roman!
Servant: Herr Count, Mr. Beckett is here.
Count Karl von Bruno: Well, bring him in for this should amuse him too.
Count Steiken: [to Dr. Meissen] Ooohh! - You idiot! You call yourself a doctor?
Count Karl von Bruno: [Sadistically twisting Steiken's arm] And you? You call yourself a man?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Svengoolie: The Black Castle" (1998)

Soundtrack:

3rd and 1st movements from Serenata No.13 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' K.525

Excellent Movie

The British noble Sir Ronald Burton (Richard Greene) decides to search his two best friends that have disappeared after visiting Count Karl von Bruno (Stephen MaNally), an evil and powerful man who lives in the Black Castle. Sir Burton travels undercover with another identity, since he fought against Count von Bruno in Afrika with his two missing friends and the count lost one eye in a battle. When he arrives in the castle, he is invited to hunt in the Black Forest around the castle with the count,.while he looks for evidences that the count has killed his friends. Later, he and the count's wife, Countess Elga von Bruno (Rita Corday), fall in love for each other and with the support of Dr. Meissen (Boris Karloff), Sir Burton and the countess try to escape from the claws of Count von Bruno. "The Black Castle" is an excellent movie from a romantic time, with action, romance, mystery and even horror. The story is gripping, and is a great entertainment for any audience. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Castelo do Pavor" ("The Castle of the Fear")