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IMDbPro

Tower of London

  • 19391939
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone in Tower of London (1939)
DramaHistory
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, then occupied by his brother King Edward... Read allIn the 15th century Richard Duke of Gloucester, aided by his club-footed executioner Mord, eliminates those ahead of him in succession to the throne, then occupied by his brother King Edward IV of England. As each murder is accomplished he takes particular delight in removing sma... Read allIn the 15th century Richard Duke of Gloucester, aided by his club-footed executioner Mord, eliminates those ahead of him in succession to the throne, then occupied by his brother King Edward IV of England. As each murder is accomplished he takes particular delight in removing small figurines, each resembling one of the successors, from a throne-room dollhouse, until h... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
    • Rowland V. Lee
    • Robert N. Lee(original screen play)
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Boris Karloff
    • Barbara O'Neil
    • Rowland V. Lee
    • Robert N. Lee(original screen play)
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Boris Karloff
    • Barbara O'Neil
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 48User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos39

    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)
    Basil Rathbone and Leo G. Carroll in Tower of London (1939)
    Vincent Price in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)
    Vincent Price and Ian Hunter in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)
    Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone in Tower of London (1939)
    Basil Rathbone and John Sutton in Tower of London (1939)
    Boris Karloff in Tower of London (1939)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Richard, Duke of Gloucester
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Mord
    Barbara O'Neil
    Barbara O'Neil
    • Queen Elyzabeth
    Ian Hunter
    Ian Hunter
    • King Edward IV
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Duke of Clarence
    Nan Grey
    Nan Grey
    • Lady Alice Barton
    Ernest Cossart
    Ernest Cossart
    • Tom Clink
    John Sutton
    John Sutton
    • John Wyatt
    Leo G. Carroll
    Leo G. Carroll
    • Lord Hastings
    Miles Mander
    Miles Mander
    • King Henry VI
    Lionel Belmore
    Lionel Belmore
    • Beacon
    Rose Hobart
    Rose Hobart
    • Anne Neville
    Ronald Sinclair
    Ronald Sinclair
    • Boy King Edward
    John Herbert-Bond
    • Young Prince Richard
    Ralph Forbes
    Ralph Forbes
    • Henry Tudor
    Frances Robinson
    • Duchess Isobel
    G.P. Huntley
    • Wales
    John Rodion
    • Lord DeVere
      • Rowland V. Lee
      • Robert N. Lee(original screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Vincent Price later admitted the "wine" he got drunk with in the film was Coca Cola.
    • Goofs
      (at around 15 mins) A person can be seen walking past the window.
    • Quotes

      Mord: [to Richard] You're more than a king, more than a man. You're a god to me!

    • Connections
      Edited into Tower of London (1962)

    User reviews48

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    And Then There Were None!
    "The Tower of London" was made by the same Director (Rowland V. Lee) and the same stars (Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff), that had made "Son of Frankenstein earlier the same year.

    This is the story of the evil King Richard III's (Rathbone) rise to the throne of England in the 15th century. We learn that Richard (known as crooked back because of a deformity) as the Duke of Gloucester is sixth in the line of succession. Standing in his way are his brother King Edward IV (Ian Hunter), the feeble minded King Henry VI (Miles Mander) who is being kept prisoner, the Prince of Wales, Edward's two young sons and Richard's other brother the Duke of Clarence (Vincent Price).

    With his faithful servant, the club-footed executioner Mord (Karloff) Richard begins to destroy all who stand in his way. Queen Elizabeth's (Barbara O'Neill) nephew John Wyatt (John Sutton) refuses to marry the King's choice, preferring instead the Queen's lovely handmaiden Lady Alice Barton (Nan Grey) instead. Wyatt is imprisoned and tortured, however, the Queen aids his escape. Wyatt escapes to France and plots the overthrow of Edward with Henry Tudor (Ralph Forbes).

    Meanwhile, Richard has started to move up the line of succession. First to go is Henry who has emerged as a hero following his survival in a battle in which he was supposed to be killed. The Prince of Wales is killed in the battle. The Duke of Clarence is drowned in a barrel of wine and ultimately Edward dies of natural causes.

    Richard is appointed Prortector of the two young princes (Ronald Sinclair, John-Herbert Bond). He soon proclaims himself king and to be sure has Mord murder the two young princes.

    Wyatt returns to England to claim his bride. After stealing the King's treasure Wyatt returns to France and turns the treasure over to Henry Tudor. Tudor mounts an invasion of England and......

    Director Lee gives us a couple of exciting battle sequences over the course of the film. The murder of the two young princes cements the true evil of Richard.

    Rathbone's character is behind Price's in the line of succession, which would make him younger. Rathbone however, was almost 20 years older than price. Karloff has merely a supporting role here but does his best as the evil Mord. John Rodian who plays Lord DeVere who is executed at the start of the film was Rathbone's real life son.

    Karloff and Price would not work together again until 1963's "The Raven" for Roger Corman. Price had starred in the remake of "The Tower of London" in a low budget re-make, also for Corman in 1962. Price, Karloff and Rathbone, appeared together in Corman's "The Comedy of Terrors" (1964).
    helpful•9
    0
    • bsmith5552
    • Oct 2, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 17, 1939 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Latin
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 32 minutes
      • Black and White

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