Tower of London (1939)

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(388 ratings)

Basil Rathbone's real-life son, John Rodion, has his head chopped off early on in this historical melodrama often mistakenly referred to as a horror film. Yes, a second-billed Boris Karloff does stomp about on a club-foot as the Duke of Glouchester's chief executioner, Mord, but Karloff's presence… More Basil Rathbone's real-life son, John Rodion, has his head chopped off early on in this historical melodrama often mistakenly referred to as a horror film. Yes, a second-billed Boris Karloff does stomp about on a club-foot as the Duke of Glouchester's chief executioner, Mord, but Karloff's presence is really more colorful than horrifying. Rathbone is the main villain here, as the Duke of Glouchester, the deformed second brother of Edward IV (Ian Hunter), whose throne he covets. But before he can place himself on that exalted chair, there are quite a few relatives and pretenders to be rid off. The exiled Prince of Wales (G.P. Huntley) is dispatched during a battle, and his father, the feeble-minded Plantagenet King Henry VI (Miles Mander), who steadfastly refuses to gracefully die of old age, is murdered by Mord. Half-brother Clarence (Vincent Price), meanwhile, is drowned very picturesquely in a vat of Malmsey wine and when Edward IV dies of natural causes, only his two young sons remain. To the horror of Queen Elizabeth (Barbara O'Neil), Glouchester is named their protector -- which of course means that Mord the executioner will be working overtime once again. But the evil duke, now Richard III, has not counted on the heroic John Wyatt (John Sutton), who, by looting the treasury, is able to bring back from exile in France yet another pretender, Henry Tudor (Ralph Forbes). The latter's invasion proves victorious at the famous battle of Bosworth Field and the brutal reign of Richard II, and his executioner, comes to an end. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Rowland V. Lee
Genres: Drama, Horror

In Theaters: Nov 17, 1939 Wide
On DVD: Sep 10, 1992

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gruesome chilling tale of dynasty change.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyable historical romp disguised as horror.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I really like this movie, it has many great actors, a good horror story, and I like the ending. I highly recommend this movie. I also like the remake from the 60s, watch Vincent Price's part in both movies, it's really funny.

Cast

            Basil Rathbone as Richard III

            Boris Karloff as Mord the Executioner

            Vincent Price as Duke of Clarence

            Barbara O'Neil as Elizabeth I

            Ian Hunter as Edward IV

            Nan Grey as Lady Alice Barton

            Ernest Cossart as Tom Clink

            John Sutton as John Wyatt

            Leo G Carroll as Lord Hastings

            Miles Mander as Henry VI

            Lionel Belmore as Beacon Chiruegeon

            Rose Hobart as Anne Neville

            Ronald Sinclair as Boy King Edward

            Ralph Forbes as Henry Tudor

            Frances Robinson as Duchess Isobel

            G.P. Huntley as Prince of Wales

            Walter Tetley as Chimney Sweep

            Donnie Dunagan as Baby Prince

            Ernie S. Adams as Prisoner Begging for Water

            Reginald Barlow as Sheriff at Execution

            Louise Brien
            
            Georgia Caine as Dowager Duchess

            Harry Cording as Tyrell Assassin

            Nigel De Brulier as Archbishop

            Jean Fenwick as Ladies in Waiting

            Robert Greig as Father Olmstead

            Holmes Herbert
            
            Colin Kenny
            
            Michael Mark as Servant to Henry VI

            Alec McCowen
            
            Charles Peck as Page Boy

            Russell Powell as Sexton Bell Ringer

            Evelyn Selbie as Beggar Woman

            C. Montague Shaw as Major Domo

            Ivan Simpson as Retainer

            David Thursby as Beggar

            Claire Whitney as Civilian Woman

            Donald Stewart as Bunch

            Jack C. Smith as Forrest

            Ivo Henderson as Haberdeer

            Yvonne Severn as Princesses

            Arthur Stenning as Soldier

            Denis Tankard
            
            Charles Miller as Councilman

            Ann Todd as Queen Elizabeth's Daughter
See full cast