''Circus of Horrors'' is a 1960 British
horror film
Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit physical or psychological fear in its viewers. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with Transgressive art, transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements of the genre include Mo ...
directed by
Sidney Hayers, and starring
Anton Diffring
Anton Diffring (born Alfred Pollack; 20 October 1916 – 19 May 1989) was a German actor. He had an extensive film and television career in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1980s, latterly appearing in international films. Primarily a c ...
,
Yvonne Monlaur,
Erika Remberg,
Kenneth Griffith,
Jane Hylton,
Conrad Phillips,
Yvonne Romain
Yvonne Adelaide "Evie" Romain (''née'' Warren; 17 February 1938) is a British former film and television actress of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Early career
Romain was born in London of Maltese descent and is a graduate of the Italia Conti Acad ...
, and
Donald Pleasence
Donald Henry Pleasence (; 5 October 1919 – 2 February 1995) was an English actor. He was known for his "bald head and intense, staring eyes," and played more than 250 stage, film, and television roles across a nearly sixty-year career.
Pleas ...
.
It follows a deranged
plastic surgeon who changes his identity after botching an operation, and later comes to gain control of a
circus
A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicy ...
that he uses as a front for his surgical exploits. The original screenplay was written by American screenwriter
George Baxt.
It was released in the United States by
American International Pictures
American International Pictures, LLC (AIP or American International Productions) is an American film production company owned by Amazon MGM Studios. In its original operating period, AIP was an independent film production and distribution c ...
as a
double feature
The double feature is a Film, motion picture industry phenomenon in which theaters would exhibit two films for the price of one, supplanting an earlier format in which the presentation of one feature film would be followed by various short subjec ...
with ''
The Angry Red Planet
''The Angry Red Planet'' (also called ''Invasion of Mars'' and ''Journey to Planet Four'') is a 1959 American science-fiction film directed by Ib Melchior and starring Gerald Mohr.
Melchior reportedly had an initial production budget of only $ ...
'' (1959).
Plot
In 1947 England,
plastic surgeon Dr. Rossiter is wanted by police after performing a botched operation on
socialite
A socialite is a person, typically a woman from a wealthy or aristocratic background, who is prominent in high society. A socialite generally spends a significant amount of time attending various fashionable social gatherings, instead of having ...
Evelyn Morley. However, believing himself to have brilliant abilities as a surgeon, he and his assistants, Martin and Angela, evade capture and escape to France. To avoid capture, Rossiter changes his name to Dr. Schüler. Schüler sees a girl scarred in the recent war, Nicole, and befriends her father, a
circus
A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicy ...
owner named Vanet. Schüler performs a surgical procedure on Nicole to restore her face. Schüler then suggests to Vanet that they become partners; Vanet will sign the circus over to Schüler, who will pay all the bills, but they will have a private document to show it still belongs to Vanet. Vanet realises that the doctor is on the run from something or someone, and wants a place to hide out in, but is glad to repay him in any way he can, and also hopes to save his circus. Drunk from his celebration, Vanet tries to dance with the bear that is part of his act, but drops a bottle which injures the animal, who starts to maul him. He screams instructions to the surgeon about how to control the bear; at first Schüler runs to help, then realises his opportunity, and leaves Vanet to die. With the assistance of Martin and Angela, Schüler begins to recruit performers, seeking out lowly and disfigured criminals whom he offers to transform with surgery should they join him. In
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
, he encounters
prostitute
Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-pe ...
Elissa Caro robbing and killing a man in an alleyway. Schüler offers to transform Elissa's face—which is marked by a large scar—and provide her a new identity as a performer in his circus. She reluctantly agrees.
A decade later, Schüler's circus is a prominent act throughout Europe, touted for its aesthetically beautiful performers. When its members choose to leave, however, they meet a series of mysterious accidents. One performer, Magda von Meck, informs Schüler she wants to leave. During her farewell performance in
Berlin
Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...
, Magda is killed during a
knife-throwing act, deliberately orchestrated by Schüler. Magda's death motivates a jealous Elissa to regain top-billing in the circus act. Later, Schüler is approached by Melina, a woman whose face has been disfigured by acid, and agrees to perform surgery on her with the intent of turning her into his new star performer. He soon falls in love with her, and intends to marry her.
Nicole, still performing in the circus, is met by Inspector Arthur Ames, posing as a journalist investigating the deaths that have occurred within the troupe. When he gains Nicole's trust, she confesses that, during her childhood, she underwent an operation from Schüler, whom she believes to be her uncle. Meanwhile, Elissa deduces that Schüler's real name is Rossiter, and attempts to
blackmail
Blackmail is a criminal act of coercion using a threat.
As a criminal offense, blackmail is defined in various ways in common law jurisdictions. In the United States, blackmail is generally defined as a crime of information, involving a thr ...
him with this knowledge into restoring her top-billing in the circus. In retaliation, Schüler sets a
python loose in Elissa's caravan, but she remains unwavering. Shortly after, Schüler has Elissa killed during a rope-swinging act, causing her to fall to her death.
When Schüler is attacked by one of his gorillas, he instructs Angela and Martin to perform his own procedures on him. Later, Evelyn Morley, now married to Edward Finsbury, visits the circus. When she meets Schüler, whose face is half-bandaged, she faints. Angela and Martin insist they go into hiding, believing that Evelyn has recognized Schüler, but he insists the show must go on. During a
lion taming
Lion taming is the taming and training of lions, either for protection or for use in entertainment, such as the circus. The term often applies to the taming and display of lions and other big cats such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, ...
act, Melina is mauled to death, traumatizing Schüler. As the guests flee in the melee, Evelyn insists to Nicole and Inspector Ames that Schüler and Rossiter are in fact the same man. Meanwhile, a deranged Schüler attacks Angela and Martin in their caravan, stabbing Angela to death. Martin eludes him, and sets a gorilla loose to attack Schüler. Police arrive, and Martin recounts the murders Schüler has committed. Meanwhile, Schüler escapes the gorilla, and attacks Inspector Ames and Nicole, before leading police on a chase through the circus grounds. He is stopped by Evelyn, who deliberately strikes him with her car. As he lay dying, Schüler's last word is "Melina."
Cast
Production
Development
After the success of ''
Horrors of the Black Museum'' (1959),
Anglo-Amalgamated
Anglo-Amalgamated Productions was a British film production company, run by Nat Cohen and Stuart Levy, which operated from 1945 until roughly 1971 (after which it was absorbed into EMI Films). Low-budget and second features, often produced at ...
and AIP tried to duplicate its success with this film.
They wanted to do a horror film set in a circus. Writer George Baxt came up with the idea of a circus run by a plastic surgeon who turns criminals into beautiful people. Baxt says he had to do several drafts of the script before AIP were satisfied.
Filming
The film was shot at
Beaconsfield Film Studios, with location filming on
Clapham Common
Clapham Common is a large triangular urban park in Clapham, south London, England. Originally common land for the parishes of Battersea and Clapham, it was converted to parkland under the terms of the Metropolitan Commons Act 1878. It is of gr ...
in
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
and in
Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Billy Smart's Circus provided the big top and some of its performers appeared as extras.
Soundtrack
The score was provided between
Franz Reizenstein and
Muir Mathieson.
Douglas Slocombe was the
cinematographer
The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the recording of a film, television production, music video or other live-action piece. The cinematographer is the chief of the camera ...
.
The song "
Look for a Star", written by
Tony Hatch
Anthony Peter Hatch (born 30 June 1939) is an English composer for musical theatre and television. He is also a songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer.
Early life and early career
Hatch was born in Pinner, Middlesex. Encouraged by his mu ...
as "Mark Anthony", originated in this movie. In the United States, there were four versions issued at the same time that charted:
*
Garry Mills (the original film version) (Imperial 5674) reached #26
*
Garry Miles (a pseudonym used by Buzz Cason and chosen due to its similarity to Garry Mills' name)
* Deane Hawley (Dore 554) reached #29
*
Billy Vaughn
William Vaughn, popularly known as Billy Vaughn (born Richard Smith Vaughn, April 12, 1919 – September 26, 1991) was an American musician, singer, multi-instrumentalist, orchestra leader, and A&R man for Dot Records.
Biography
Vaughn was bor ...
(the sole instrumental version) (Dot 16106) reached #19
In the UK
Garry Mills recorded a studio version of the song (Top Rank JAR-336) that made No.7 in the British chart.
Release
The film opened theatrically in
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
on 8 April 1960.
In the United States, the film was distributed by
American International Pictures
American International Pictures, LLC (AIP or American International Productions) is an American film production company owned by Amazon MGM Studios. In its original operating period, AIP was an independent film production and distribution c ...
as a double feature with ''
A Bucket of Blood'' (1959), opening in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
in May 1960.
Reception
Critical
''
The Monthly Film Bulletin
The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...
'' wrote: "A plot that only a very simple-minded sadist would take seriously sustains an anthology of gory killings and maimings – by lion, bear and gorilla, careless surgery, bombing, stabbing, motor accident and falling from a height. Bandages are torn from unhealed wounds, whips slashed at snarling beasts, the bare thighs of the mad doctor's lovely victims spreadeagled across the screen. Occasional humour comes from Kenneth Griffiths' ultra-sinister manner, and there are a few genuine circus high-wire shots that seem considerably more thrilling than the monotonous massacre below, but the film's main concern is with satisfying those who find imaginary mutilation entertaining."
''
Variety'' wrote: "No artistic gem, ''Circus'' is the type of picture that lends itself to saturation campaigns and bookings. With proper selling, there's no reason why this entry can't mop up in the secondary market – especially drive-ins. For horror and sex are parlayed, and they're a proven b.o combo. ... Sidney Hayers' direction at times overdoes the macabre touch."
''The
Radio Times
''Radio Times'' is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...
Guide to Films'' gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Definitely a film to make your flesh creep, this nifty British horror is more in keeping with the gimmicky style of
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman (April 5, 1926 – May 9, 2024) was an American film director, producer, and actor. Known under various monikers such as "The Pope of Pop Cinema", "The Spiritual Godfather of the New Hollywood", and "The King of Cult", he w ...
or
William Castle
William Castle (born William Schloss Jr.; April 24, 1914 – May 31, 1977) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is known for the horror film, horror and thriller film, thriller B movie, B-movies he directed durin ...
than your average Hammer. Anton Diffring is perfectly cast as an incompetent plastic surgeon who takes refuge under Donald Pleasence's big top after the knife slips once too often. Director Sidney Hayers makes superb use of the circus locale, dreaming up wonderfully grotesque ways of bumping off the outcasts that Diffring has remodelled when they try to escape his barbarous regime."
Leslie Halliwell
Robert James Leslie Halliwell (23 February 1929 – 21 January 1989) was a British film critic, encyclopaedist and television rights buyer for ITV, the British commercial network, and Channel 4. He is best known for his reference guides, '' Fi ...
said: "Stark horror comic; quite professionally made, but content-wise a crude concoction of sex and sadism."
Box office
''
Kine Weekly
''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971.
Etymology
The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...
'' called it the most popular horror film at the British box office in 1960. The film became a surprise hit in the United States.
Home media
Anchor Bay Entertainment
The revived Anchor Bay Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company owned by Umbrelic Entertainment co-founders Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz. Anchor Bay Entertainment markets and releases "new release genre ...
released ''Circus of Horrors'' on
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any ki ...
in January 2002. In September 2019,
Scream Factory released a
Blu-ray
Blu-ray (Blu-ray Disc or BD) is a digital optical disc data storage format designed to supersede the DVD format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released worldwide on June 20, 2006, capable of storing several hours of high-defin ...
edition of the film.
Legacy
In his book ''A Heritage of Horror'' (1971, the film critic David Pirie considered ''Circus of Horrors'' to be the third entry in what he calls
Anglo-Amalgamated
Anglo-Amalgamated Productions was a British film production company, run by Nat Cohen and Stuart Levy, which operated from 1945 until roughly 1971 (after which it was absorbed into EMI Films). Low-budget and second features, often produced at ...
's "Sadian trilogy" - the previous films in this conceptual trilogy being ''
Horrors of the Black Museum'' and ''
Peeping Tom
Lady Godiva (; died between 1066 and 1086), in Old English , was a late Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is relatively well documented as the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and a patron of various churches and monasteries.
She is mainly remembere ...
- :'' three films that focus on
sadism, cruelty and violence (with sexual undertones) as opposed to the supernatural horror of the
Hammer films in the same era.
The movie has become a cult favorite.
References
Sources
*
*
*
*
External links
*
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Circus Of Horrors
1960 films
1960s crime thriller films
1960 horror films
American International Pictures films
British crime thriller films
British horror thriller films
Circus films
Films directed by Sidney Hayers
Films set in the 1940s
Films set in the 1950s
Films set in England
Films set in France
Films set in Germany
Films about plastic surgery
1960s English-language films
1960s British films
Films scored by Franz Reizenstein
English-language horror films
English-language crime thriller films