Aside from superior performances by Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price, there is little I found in this film to recommend.
I believe the movie fails (as many films do) under the weight of a mediocre script and sub-par supporting cast. Even if one wasn't paying attention during their high school World History class, we already know within the first 15 minutes of the film what the entire story is, what will happen, and can make a common-sense-guess as to how the film will end. And, sure enough, there isn't a single surprise in the entire film. Wait, I take that back...the American accents were quite a surprise for me! Nan Grey is GORGEOUS...just as sexy dressed as a chimney sweep as she is dressed in fancy gown, but her American accent completely removes any sense of truth from the film. Barbara O'Neil at least tries a British accent periodically throughout the film...and even though she fails most of the time with it, at least she tries. The problem with O'Neil's performance is that it is so fake and over-the-top that it is impossible to take her seriously...especially with a couple of her stare-bug-eyed-directly-into-the-camera looks...utterly ridiculous!
And I have no idea what anyone was thinking casting John Sutton as the hero of the piece...he was only slightly more masculine than the character Vincent Price was playing! I know Errol Flynn was too big a star at the time for the role, but he was exactly what this film needed to elevate it to where it needed to be...Basil Rathbone is such a powerful screen presence, he deserved a hero of equal stature.
This movie is a must for Rathbone and Karloff fans, but there is little here for the rest. As good as Vincent Price was in this 1939 film as Clarence, his 1962 version of "Tower of London" has the horror legend giving a stellar, scenery-chewing performance as Richard that is among his greatest!
Overall, a 4 out of 10 strictly out of respect for the lead performances.
I believe the movie fails (as many films do) under the weight of a mediocre script and sub-par supporting cast. Even if one wasn't paying attention during their high school World History class, we already know within the first 15 minutes of the film what the entire story is, what will happen, and can make a common-sense-guess as to how the film will end. And, sure enough, there isn't a single surprise in the entire film. Wait, I take that back...the American accents were quite a surprise for me! Nan Grey is GORGEOUS...just as sexy dressed as a chimney sweep as she is dressed in fancy gown, but her American accent completely removes any sense of truth from the film. Barbara O'Neil at least tries a British accent periodically throughout the film...and even though she fails most of the time with it, at least she tries. The problem with O'Neil's performance is that it is so fake and over-the-top that it is impossible to take her seriously...especially with a couple of her stare-bug-eyed-directly-into-the-camera looks...utterly ridiculous!
And I have no idea what anyone was thinking casting John Sutton as the hero of the piece...he was only slightly more masculine than the character Vincent Price was playing! I know Errol Flynn was too big a star at the time for the role, but he was exactly what this film needed to elevate it to where it needed to be...Basil Rathbone is such a powerful screen presence, he deserved a hero of equal stature.
This movie is a must for Rathbone and Karloff fans, but there is little here for the rest. As good as Vincent Price was in this 1939 film as Clarence, his 1962 version of "Tower of London" has the horror legend giving a stellar, scenery-chewing performance as Richard that is among his greatest!
Overall, a 4 out of 10 strictly out of respect for the lead performances.