A killer stalks the big top and Rita Hayworth runs the show — 59 minutes of pure pre-Code chaos.
Mary Gillespie is restoring the Col. Gillespie Circus to its former splendor after her father's death. With the help of her publicist boyfriend Jim, the sell-out crowds are returning to the big top. Egotistical equestrian star Senor Martinet, however, holds $60,000 of notes signed by the Colonel and due in 24 hours. When a mysterious shadowy figure is seen on the circus lot, and Martinet is murdered in the center ring during his performance, there are suspects aplenty, including Vindecco, Martinet's badly abused hunchback assistant.
Acting
Rita Hayworth commanding scenes at 18 years old.
Practical Effects
Real circus performers and death-defying stunts.
Production
Depression-era circus atmosphere on a shoestring.
Director
Charles C. Coleman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rita Hayworth was still credited as 'Rita Cansino' here — she changed her name the following year to sound less 'ethnic' for Hollywood.
This was one of Columbia Pictures' 'quota quickies' — cheap B-pictures made to fulfill British screening requirements, explaining the breakneck 59-minute runtime.
US
