Tower of London (1939 film)

Tower of London is a 1939 blackandwhite historical film and quasihorror film released by Universal Pictures and directed by Rowland V. Lee. It stars Basil Rathbone as the future Richard III of England, and Boris Karloff as his fictitious clubfooted executioner Mord. Vincent Price, in only his third film, appears as George, Duke of Clarence. Actor John Rodion, who appears in a small role, is actually Rodion Rathbone, Basils son.

The plot was not derived from Shakespeares Richard III, but rather was written by Robert N. Lee director Rowland V. Lees brother after reading a great deal of British history. George, Duke of Clarence one of Richards brothers is depicted as something less than the tragically noble figure found in Shakespeare. Ian Hunter portrays Edward IV, who is not depicted here as the feeble, dying King found in Laurence Oliviers 1955 film version of Shakespeares play.Vincent Price admitted that when his character got drunk with wine in the film, it was actually CocaCola. Basil Rathbone was forced, due to scheduling conflicts, to simultaneously work on the film Rio during the first week of production. Rathbones assignment on this film also effectively prevented him from being cast on the far more prestigious The Hunchback of Notre Dame at RKO. ........

Source: Wikipedia