Stephen Torg (Lom) seeks work at a struggling traveling circus. While there, a lion escapes; Torg is able to control it with his skill at hypnotism. Phil Danton (Lyon), the head of the circus, is so impressed, he hires the newcomer. Then someone comes up with an idea. Torg hypnotizes Mary (Crawford) so that she can perform a dangerous aerial stunt without props. Her partner and boyfriend, Tom Danton (Farrar) is suspicious, but is overruled by the others.
With Torg’s help, the circus becomes very successful, and Torg is able to force Phil into making him a partner. Meanwhile, Torg falls in love with Mary, though she makes it clear to him that her heart belongs to Tom. As time goes on, Torg begins to exert control over Mary. Before one performance, he tells her under hypnosis that she will be so tired that she will be unable to hold onto Tom during their trapeze act. As a result, Tom falls and is injured so badly, he has to stay in the hospital. The others suspect what is going on, but have no proof and are powerless to do anything.
When Tom recovers enough to return to the circus, he finds that Torg has Mary performing an even more dangerous stunt. While watching it, he unthinkingly cries out her name, breaking her trance and almost causing her fall from the high wire. While Torg is being lowered to the ground, Phil cuts the rope and Torg falls to his death. However, in a twist, the doctor reveals that Torg was shot in the head in mid-air, a feat that could only have been done by the circus’s sharpshooter, Dora (Josephine Wilson).
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Directed by John Harlow, produced by Max Milder, written by Reginald Purdell and Brock Williams, based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Alexander Woollcott, starring Ben Lyon, Herbert Lom, Anne Crawford and David Farrar.
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Source: “The Dark Tower (1943 film)” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 1 July 2016. Web. 19 November 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Tower_(1943_film).
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good to see you back!
Really enjoyed this video and perfect timing. Thanks!
Wow, including Anne Crawford which died so young in the 50th of leukemia aged 35.
11/19/16: Getting ready to WATCH now.
Wonderful and incredible movie….from a time when movies were great…and thank you very much for making it available…sincerely…BUT…you gave away the ending in the description !! Good thing I saw the movie first. ….WARNING…do not read the description.
Truly excellent film although the title has zero to do with the story line so hence is a trifle misleading.
Thank you for this brilliant movie. You made my day.
Another great movie and quality upload from TCM! Thanks for posting.
I was trying to figure out why I didn't like this film, and I think it is because I don't like the circus. It was very popular in the 40s and 50s, but not anymore. Clowns creep me out, and I can't help feeling sorry for the animals. Torg was a little over the top for me. And again, just too much smoking. Notice Torg was chain smoking throughout the movie? Really disgusting. I understand film noir has this behavior, but this flick is just too much for me.
12-15-16 You know I've seen I think almost every ( Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Movie )
(BUT – THIS – ONE ) was exceptionally good — nothing can ever replace these ma
masterpieces !!! (( – REALLY THANK YOU – ))
( I thank the person or organization that put this movie Up for everyone to enjoy)
Love how you give the story completely away, even before I got to watch it! Way to go!! Consider toning down the movies outcome!!!