Darkened Rooms | 1929 | Mystery Drama

Title: Darkened Rooms | 1929 | Mystery Drama Director: Louis J. Gasnier Studio: Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation Starring: Evelyn Brent, Neil Hamilton, Doris Hill, David Newell, Gale Henry, Wallace MacDonald, Blanche Craig, E. H. Calvert Based on: Short story “Darkened Rooms” by Philip Hamilton Gibbs Release Date: November 23 1929 Runtime: 63–67 minutes Format: Early talking picture, black and white Country: United States Language: English Genres: Mystery Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Opening and studio introduction 00:10:00 Emory Jago’s scheme begins 00:20:00 Ellen joins the act 00:30:00 Spiritualist deception at a wealthy home 00:45:00 Exposure of the fraud 00:55:00 Resolution and reconciliation --- Summary: Darkened Rooms is a 1929 American mystery drama about Emory Jago, a boardwalk photographer who uses the guise of spiritualism to defraud wealthy clients. When he meets Ellen, a struggling dancer in need of help, she becomes his partner in fake séances aimed at extracting money from the gullible. Their ruse leads them into increasingly elaborate deceptions, but as their scheme unravels, personal and moral consequences follow. The film plays on the contemporary fascination with and skepticism toward spiritualism, blending melodramatic narrative with early talking picture techniques as it explores themes of deception, ambition, and conscience. --- Background: Directed by Louis J. Gasnier for Paramount Pictures, Darkened Rooms was released toward the end of the silent era as one of the studio’s early sound films. It capitalized on the public’s interest in séances and psychic phenomena, reflecting the popular culture of the late 1920s. A copy of the talkie survives in the Library of Congress. --- Trivia: Darkened Rooms was released on November 23, 1929, as an all-talking feature. The movie attempted to cash in on the era’s fascination with spiritualism and mediums similar to those challenged by Harry Houdini. It is preserved at the Library of Congress, making it accessible for modern viewing. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: November 23 1929 Original Studio / Distributor: Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation Copyright Status: Registered Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #DarkenedRooms #1929Film #MysteryDrama #EarlyTalkie #Paramount #ClassicCinema