Towering Terror

'Circus of Horrors' is one of those fantastically over the top Anglo-Amalgated horror films that so disgusted the Establishment and titillated audiences in the late fifties and early sixties with their relentless sex, perversity and sadism. This one is about an insane plastic surgeon who uses the anonymity and mobility of a big top show to continue his (actually pretty successful) experiments, pausing now and again to knock off people who might blow his cover. 

Fifty years on, it's more circus than horrors, more schlock than shock, although the acts (supplied, of course, by Billy Smart) are excellent, there are some very attractive ladies, an enjoyably manic performance from Anton Diffring and an interesting shared subtext with 'Peeping Tom' (another Anglo release in the same year) - that hideous disfigurement can be a bit of a turn on.

Here's the trailer. Sadly it doesn't really feature the stuffed bear that sees off Donald Pleasence, or indeed the man in a gorilla suit who causes a lot of problems for Anton Diffring, but don't let that put you off - it's very informative in all other respects. 

Circus of Horrors

Mighty Fury

'Konga' is a deeply ridiculous, terribly endearing film. Mad Scientist Michael Gough (who else?) reappears after a year in the jungle with a chimp and a handful of mystical herbs that can transform his pet into a massive gorilla (I can just about accept the increase in size, but a change in species?). Gough being Gough, he immediately sets the mutated primate on the trail of his enemies, and murder is the inevitable result.

Naturally (or unnaturally) it all goes wrong and, before you can say 'King Kong', Konga grows gargantuan and decides to trash London.

For once Wikkipedia describes the end best, with the poignant 'upon his death, he reverts back to a chimpanzee'. I love this film so much it's pitiful.

Konga

Puts You In The Picture

'Horrors Of The Black Museum' caused a furore on its release in 1959, shocking audiences and outraging public standards with its cocktail of garish colour, sadistic violence, sexual deviance and cha cha dancing. Hypnovision is a meaningless term: like several of the things on this poster, it doesn't actually appear on screen. Michael Gough doesn't so much chew the scenery in this as slather the whole set in ketchup and wolf the lot. Recommended!

Horrors of the Black Museum