Tower of London (1939 film)

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Tower of London
Directed by Rowland V. Lee
Produced by Rowland V. Lee
Written by Robert N. Lee
Starring Basil Rathbone
Boris Karloff
Vincent Price
Music by Ralph Freed
Hans J. Salter
Frank Skinner
Cinematography George Robinson
Editing by Edward Curtiss
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) North America November 17, 1939
North America June 1948 (rerelease)
Europe April 16, 1944
Europe September 5, 1952
Running time 92 minutes
Language English
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IMDb profile


Tower of London is a 1939 black-and-white historical horror film released by Universal Pictures and directed by Rowland V. Lee. Based on the story of Richard III, it stars Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff. Rathbone plays the part of the 15th century Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Karloff plays his club-footed executioner, Mord. The film depicts Richard and his attempts to eliminate everyone ahead of him so he can become the King of England. Once he has completed his task, he now needs to defeat the exiled Henry Tudor to retain the throne. Each time Richard accomplishes a murder, he removes one figurine from a dollhouse resembling a throneroom.

This film is considered by most more of an historical drama than a horror film. It was, however, well-acted and inspired a 1962 remake starring Vincent Price (who plays the Duke of Clarence in this version).

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