Darkened Rooms | 1929 | Mystery | Drama | Early Sound Film | Thriller

Name: Darkened Rooms Director: Louis J. Gasnier Studio: Paramount Pictures Starring: Evelyn Brent, Neil Hamilton, William Powell, Judith Barrett Release Date: October 5, 1929 (USA) Runtime: \~72 minutes Format: Black-and-white, sound film Country: United States Language: English Genres: | Mystery | Drama | Early Sound Film | Thriller --- Summary: *Darkened Rooms* (1929) is a mystery drama centered on the world of psychic mediums and the rise of spiritualism in America. Evelyn Brent stars as Sylvia, a fraudulent medium who becomes involved in a web of deceit, romance, and suspense. Neil Hamilton plays the determined reporter investigating her practices, while William Powell adds tension as a morally ambiguous character entangled in the intrigue. The film mixes elements of suspense, romance, and social commentary on gullibility and exploitation in the public fascination with the supernatural. --- Background: Directed by Louis J. Gasnier, *Darkened Rooms* was produced during Hollywood’s early sound era, integrating dialogue and music into a previously silent-dominated style. Paramount Pictures capitalized on the public’s interest in spiritualism and psychic phenomena, which were highly popular in the late 1920s. The film represents one of William Powell’s early pre-*Thin Man* roles, showcasing his growing screen presence in sophisticated, morally complex characters. --- Trivia: * Evelyn Brent, a silent film star, successfully transitioned to sound films with this role. * The film reflects a short-lived trend of “psychic thrillers” in late-1920s Hollywood. * William Powell would later become famous for his role as detective Nick Charles in *The Thin Man* series. * Some surviving prints of *Darkened Rooms* are incomplete, making it a partially lost early talkie. --- Hashtags: \#DarkenedRooms1929 #LouisGasnier #EvelynBrent #WilliamPowell #NeilHamilton #EarlySoundFilm #MysteryDrama #ClassicHollywood #PsychicThriller #FilmHistory