I recall seeing this in the early 60's on a double bill with Horrors Of The Black Museum and if I now find it a little less sensational than I did then this is probably because it was one of my very first colour horror films and made more of an impact than it might. It remains colourful and well paced and the circus details are splendid but the directing of the cast seems rather lacklustre. Kenneth Griffith looks like a lost boy throughout and it is astonishing to discover he had already been in movies for 20 years, one could be forgiven for thinking it were his first. Anton Diffring seems decidedly one note, but then that is more or less his style and it is effective, whilst Donald Pleasence is already over acting, even if he does have hair here. But it's an unusual British movie with a surprising amount of sex and violence and if the lovely ladies are more concerned to keep their hair looking good than help in a fight, I guess that's what we expect of the period. There is plenty to enjoy and the atmospheric song, Look For A Star fades in and out most effectively whilst real shots of Billy Smarts circus help to add to the realism even if lovely ladies are coming to sticky ends and various animals are chomping at the bit all around.
Review of Circus of Horrors
