TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

clanciai This was Herbert Lom's first great performance and his most revolting one. Who can avoid getting the creeps as he oils his way into constantly deeper and more dangerous influence of the circus as the primadonna is defenseless against his powers and everybody just have to cooperate for the sake of survival? Of course, the intrigue is not entirely convincing, however could such a brilliant and clever beauty like Ann Crawford fall a prey to such a charlatan? Orson Welles made a similar show void of all credibility six years later in his film of Joseph Balsamo, a great adventure film spoiled by the hypnosis racket. Herbert Lom is actually more convincing and above all more nasty in his very dark and eerie character. There are some brilliant circus scenes, though, and the insight into the life of a circus with its very different characters all struggling together with difficulties of survival of the circus will keep you busy and attached with sympathy to the whole plot. David Farrar is always worth seeing, he is usually an honest character at risk, and here more so than ever. It must have had some influence on Carol Reed when he twelve years later made his "Trapeze", which would be interesting to see again as a compliment to this one.

JohnHowardReid Allegedly based on the 1933 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Alexander Woollcott, the movie bears little resemblance to this source at all and is actually based on the 1894 novel, Trilby, by George Du Maurier - a property that Warner Brothers also owned. The most notable film version was Svengali (1931) in which John Barrymore played the title character. On this occasion, the role is played - and played well - by sanpaku-eyed Herbert Lom, while Anne Crawford makes a most effective Trilby and David Farrar a more powerful and charismatic version of Little Billee. The setting has been cleverly changed from opera to a circus, enabling director Harlow to incorporate a number of genuine acts, including a thrilling sequence in which a clown performs a number of breathtaking high wire stunts. Nominal star, Ben Lyon, doesn't get too much in the way. Production values impress and the noirish photography by Otto Heller is a stand-out, particularly in the Herbert Lom sequences.

Alex da Silva Mysterious Herbert Lom (Torg) wanders into circus life and starts to take over from circus owner Ben Lyon (Phil). Lyon has a brother David Farrar (Tom) who is top-billed with his girlfriend Anne Crawford (Mary) as the trapeze and high-wire act. However, once Lom arrives he takes over the top bill and also takes Crawford to be his partner in his hypnosis stage act. Just how far is Lom going to take the hypnosis act? He's pretty handy at revenge.Herbert Lom is what this film is all about. From his first entrance, dressed all in black, you just know he's evil. He can control a lion and he can control people. What I didn't get about this film was why everyone was so nasty to him. I ended up taking his side but I feel that was not the point of things. Anyway, he alienates himself, nicks Farrar's girlfriend and starts to have a power over her in everything that she does. The rest of the cast aren't very interesting and the two top-billed male actors aren't very likable. This is Lom's film.I don't like circuses so the film's setting just doesn't do it for me. I find clowns scary and not at all funny. And how about that laughing sailor dummy? That is pure nightmare material. Not funny. I'm not too bothered about this film either way – it sits firmly mid-scale."Look into my eyes" "Look into my eyes" – "Go and mow the lawn" "Go and mow the lawn"

Neil Doyle Murder under the big top has often been a favorite topic for the screen, especially when you add jealousy and rivalry to the mix. This is a British film made during the war years at a studio that was later bombed and put out of use.HERBERT LOM has a key role as a hypnotist hired by the circus to give one of their high wire performers (ANNE CRAWFORD) the nerve to perform a dangerous act while under his positive spell. She's married to David FARRAR but soon attracts the hypnotist with her blonde beauty. BEN LYON is manager of the circus troupe. Lom wants respect and tells the circus manager he has the power to command success.The plot ambles along rather pleasantly with just enough tension to keep the interest up as Lom soon becomes important to the circus because he has complete control over Crawford, much to her husband's dismay. There are a few surprises later on, when the high wire act under the hypnotist's guidance goes awry with tragic circumstances. An additional surprise is the twist given the ending.Lom really steals the film as the hypnotist with magnetic eyes. David Farrar and Anne Crawford are both perfect as the husband and wife team torn apart by his interference.Better than average circus drama from the U.K.