IMDb >
Tower of London (1939)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsTower of London (1939) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Robert N. Lee (original screenplay)
Release Date:
17 November 1939 (USA)
more
Plot:
In the 15th century Richard Duke of Gloucester, aided by his club-footed executioner Mord, eliminates those ahead of him in succession to the throne...
more
| add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Josh Wolk's Pop Culture Club talks Monty Python: Do the shows still hold up?
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 22 October 2009, 7:45 AM, PDT)
Monsterpalooza Set to Invade Burbank Again Next April
(From Dread Central. 30 September 2009, 2:34 PM, PDT)
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 22 October 2009, 7:45 AM, PDT)
Monsterpalooza Set to Invade Burbank Again Next April
(From Dread Central. 30 September 2009, 2:34 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
It Ain't Richard III, or Is It?
more (23 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Basil Rathbone | ... | Richard - Duke of Gloucester | |
| Boris Karloff | ... | Mord | |
| Barbara O'Neil | ... | Queen Elyzabeth | |
| Ian Hunter | ... | King Edward IV | |
| Vincent Price | ... | Duke of Clarence | |
| Nan Grey | ... | Lady Alice Barton | |
| Ernest Cossart | ... | Tom Clink | |
| John Sutton | ... | John Wyatt | |
| Leo G. Carroll | ... | Lord Hastings | |
| Miles Mander | ... | King Henry VI | |
| Lionel Belmore | ... | Beacon - a Chamberlain | |
| Rose Hobart | ... | Anne Neville | |
| Ronald Sinclair | ... | Boy King Edward | |
| John Herbert-Bond | ... | Boy Prince Richard | |
| Ralph Forbes | ... | Henry Tudor |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The battle scenes were an ordeal to film. Principally shot on August 19, 1939 at a ranch in Tarzana, the fog machine proved ineffective in the face of high winds. The 100-degree heat caused the 300 extras to suffer and rain machines caused the soldier's cardboard helmets and shields to disintegrate. Additional battle scenes were shot on August 22 and on September 4, 1939, but the California heat continued to play havoc with the cast, crew and equipment.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Best of Sex and Violence (1981)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Tower of London (1939) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Que la fête commence... | Tower of London | Elizabeth: The Golden Age | Lady Jane | Ridicule |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

When one has seen the Shakespearean treatment of this story, it falls far short of the masterwork. That said, it isn't fair to compare a low budget period movie to Shakespeare. I think what I did like about it, though, is its visuality. I liked Karloff going through a day's work, putting one more weight on a guy they're suffocating, like a cook checking to see if there's enough salt in the soup. I really like Basil Rathbone. Of course the Sherlock Holmes movies are my favorites, but he is a consummate actor and rises above everyone else in the story. I was disappointed in the lack of character development other than Richard and the silly romantic subplot.
Karloff ,also, should have had his moment to confront Richard since he is a fictionalization anyway.
It was neat seeing Vincent Price begin his mugging, whining characterization of the ineffectual son of the king. I did like the drinking scene but wonder why no one else was there to observe the result. Richard (Rathbone) seemed to have an awfully easy row to hoe. I was also disappointed in the big battle scene at the end, but won't spoil it here.
All in all, I liked looking at this movie, but felt sort of empty at the conclusion. Also, where does it come off as a horror movie, other than the rather comical dungeon scenes?