Circus of Horrors (1960)

In 1947 England, a plastic surgeon must beat a hasty retreat to France when one of his patients has ghastly problems with her surgery. Once there, he operates on a circus owner's daughter, ... See full summary »

Director:

Sidney Hayers

Writer:

George Baxt (original screenplay)

Stars:

Anton Diffring, Erika Remberg, Yvonne Monlaur

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anton Diffring	...	Dr. Schuler
Erika Remberg	...	Elissa Caro
Yvonne Monlaur	...	Nicole Vanet
Donald Pleasence	...	Vanet
Jane Hylton	...	Angela
Kenneth Griffith	...	Martin
Conrad Phillips	...	Insp. Arthur Ames
Jack Gwillim	...	Supt. Andrews
Vanda Hudson	...	Magda von Meck
Yvonne Romain	...	Melina
Colette Wilde	...	Evelyn Morley Finsbury
William Mervyn	...	Doctor Morley
John Merivale	...	Edward Finsbury
Peter Swanwick	...	German Police Inspector Knopf
Carla Challoner	...	Nicole Vanet - Child

Storyline

In 1947 England, a plastic surgeon must beat a hasty retreat to France when one of his patients has ghastly problems with her surgery. Once there, he operates on a circus owner's daughter, deformed by bombs from the war. Later he becomes the owner of the circus, and continues transforming disfigured women into the beautiful stars of his show. The police and a nosy reporter (as well as Scotland Yard) become interested when the women who want out of the circus begin dying in freak accidents, and they begin suspecting the good doctor is responsible.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | circus | prostitute | basque | scantily clad female | 

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Taglines:

For ever stranger thrills...he turned the greatest show on earth into a...

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Genres:

Horror | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1960 (UK)

Also Known As:

Phantom of the Circus

Filming Locations:

Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lynx Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The clowns are dressed as Keystone Cops in one of the scenes.

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Goofs

When Shuler is attacked by the gorilla, it clearly shows the gorilla's claw mauling the left side of Shuler's face. Later, only the right side of Shuler's face show any signs of the attack.

This is not true. The only time (1:21:51) where we see the Right face scarred is when he is looking at itself in a double mirror. All the other shots of Schuler have the scars on the left cheek. All of the previous goof detail is false. What could be added. This is false, false. That's all. How long should the explanation be. We always see the scars on the correct place, except in this mirror. Should I write a novel to fill the longer explanation ?

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Quotes

Dr. Rossiter, alias Dr. Bernard Schueler: I must say, she's even better at soliciting applause than she was at soliciting men.

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Alternate Versions

A shot of the thrown knife hitting Magda in the neck was filmed but cut by the distributors in post-production upon BBFC request. Despite the film's brutal theme the only UK censor cuts to the finished print was the removal of visible topless female nudity during two of the sideshow scenes. This footage has never resurfaced in any print of the film and may no longer exist.

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Connections

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

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Soundtracks

Waltz
(uncredited)
from "Coppélia"
Music by Léo Delibes
Arranged by Muir Mathieson

User Reviews

"Quick, get her to a doctor. And send the clowns in."

A plastic surgeon (Dr. Rossiter), who has just butchered the face of a patient, is on the run. After having an accident and requiring plastic surgery himself, he and his assistants travel to France so the doctor may start anew with a new face and name. After a fatal accident to the owner of a circus, Dr. Rossiter takes over. He soon discovers that he can continue his plastic surgery experiments by operating on murderers, thieves, and prostitutes who all just happen to have some sort of facial deformity or scar. The patients, also with new identities, go to work for the doctor in his circus. The doctor keeps them in line and working through blackmail. As he knows their true identities, they are reluctant to leave. Soon, however, some of the patients become restless and try to 'escape' the doctor. Dr. Rossiter, through a series of 'accidents', makes sure they don't, thereby keeping his secret. Any more of the story would be too much.

Circus of Horrors is a very visually pleasing film. The film's makers appear to have been heavily influenced by the Hammer movies being produced at the time. The lavish colors, costumes, and sets are very Hammer-like. And, like many of the Hammer movies, this one must have been quite shocking for its time. As an example, a knife throwing scene turns particularly nasty.

The movie also features some wonderful acting. Anton Diffring is especially sinister as the mad doctor. Donald Pleasence, in a small role, highlights an above average supporting cast.

The only problem I have with the movie is its tendency to lose focus. Too often, circus scenes seem to go on a little too long and drag the movie down to a snail's pace.