Review: Tower of London

Set in the late 1400s, the feeble King Henry (Miles Mander) gets overthrown by the ruthless King Edward IV (Ian Hunter). King Edward’s most trusted advisor is Richard AKA The Duke of Gloucester (Basil Rathbone), a treacherous villain who does not have King Edward’s best interests at heart whatsoever. Hunchback schemer Richard is sixth in line to the throne…but not for long if he has any say in it! Boris Karloff is the bald, club-footed executioner Mord, Barbara O’Neil the pretty Queen, Vincent Price plays the gullible and immature Duke of Clarence, and Leo G. Carroll turns up briefly as Lord Hastings.

 

I first saw the 1962 Roger Corman version with Vincent Price in the lead, and was (surprisingly) completely underwhelmed. After having watched the Price/Corman/Poe films, it seemed like a cheap bore. Even Price’s hammy theatrics somehow rang hollow and dull after a short while. I was shocked, because Price is usually great ham value, especially under Corman’s direction. However, it was a cheap, overly talky stinker and I think Corman might’ve been out of his depth (and budget range) for once. So finally getting to see this 1939 film from director Rowland V Lee (“The Three Musketeers”, “Captain Kidd”), I was pleasantly surprised to find a rock-solid, Shakespearean costumer with lovely production design and costuming.

 

Basil Rathbone is perfectly cast as the ruthless, rotten royal schemer the Duke of Gloucester, whilst a perfectly fine Vincent Price has one of his earlier appearances in the smaller role of the oily but rather dopey Duke of Clarence. It’s not a big role, but his big, silly drinking scene shows glimpses of the terrific ham talent that would flourish especially in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Also memorable are Ian Hunter, Miles Mander (whom you can’t help but feel for), and particularly a scene-stealing Boris Karloff as the creepy, bald executioner Mord. Karloff dominates his every scene with sadistic intent. It’s easily one of Karloff’s best parts and he relishes every moment. The one dud turn comes from a surprising source: the normally reliable Barbara O’Neil as the Queen. As Scarlett O’Hara’s mother she was one of the very best things about the bloated “Gone With the Wind”, but here she comes off like a rank amateur. Veteran character actor Leo G. Carroll doesn’t get much screen time but he does vie for Worst Haircut with Rathbone, so that’s something I guess.

 

A handsomely mounted film, look for the utterly insane scene where soldiers in heavy steel armour clank swords during a thunderstorm. Madness. I have to say I was much more invested in the first half of the film than the second where Karloff’s Mord disappears for a fair stretch. However, his scenes in the second half are truly horrific and memorable. In fact, one act he commits on Richard’s orders even seems to upset the blood-thirsty Mord’s constitution somewhat. Scripted by the director’s brother Robert N. Lee (“Little Caesar”, “Captain Kidd”), it’s quite mature stuff for 1939 I must say.

 

Good-looking, interesting, sometimes horrific costumer is basically an unofficial version of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” as they both take inspiration from the same historical situation. Jolly good dastardly fun, Karloff is particularly impressive in one of his most sinister roles. He’s no gentleman in this one! Rathbone is a persuasive Richard. Stay away from the Corman remake, you get far less Vincent Price here but a far better performance out of him nonetheless.

 

Rating: B-