8mm Forum: Circus of Fear

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Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on October 17, 2007, 12:14 PM:

CIRCUS OF FEAR (aka: Caged Fury 1948)
3X400ft Reels B&W Sound
Fletcher Film release.

There is nothing I like better than a good old film which can keep you on the edge of your seat and this is one of the best for doing just that.

The film stars Buster Crabbe, Richard Denning and more importantly as will be revealed Sheila Ryan “the legs”. In this classic low cost lets get it made movie Buster plays a Psychopathic lion tamer who uses the lions in the circus to get his own way. An unusual role for Buster best known for the Flash Gordon series perhaps. Now onto Sheila Ryan who plays Kit Warren the circus female lion tamer and the leading act at the show and my what a woman black stockings and all! Sheila does a good job in this 1948 flick having entered films in the late 30’s if memory serves me right. In this particular film which I do remember watching somewhere many years ago thanks to Fletcher Films and being somewhat younger we used to await the bit where she is hanging her stockings on the washing line and all cheer in the small audience. Her luscious legs are still a draw even today and bring memories flooding back of film shows past and the fun 8mm can bring.

The correct title for the film was Caged Fury and the running time was somewhat longer than the 42 minutes timed here, or nearly timed as “the legs” appeared and I mucked up the stop watch again. Even in this abridged form the film retains the full story and all the best action sequences, and it is nice to see a circus as we used to go along to as a child. I expect films of this ilk sporned many circus movies since this was produced for us to enjoy, but the main thing is that it found its way onto 8mm Sound thanks to Fletcher Films. How many remember Unit 7 on Pier Road Middx I wonder today?

Richard Denning also stars and I best remember him from the super 8 3D classic, Creature from the black lagoon still available from Derann Films new today. Richard is great in the film with his rich sounding voice and he is the great love in the movie for Sheila and this brings me nicely onto sound and print quality.

The sound is very good on this Fletcher print with consistent level throughout. Print quality is a perfect black and white on the now vintage Acetate film base, but it does lack a little contrast at times. However, Fletcher as many will know were mainly concerned with making Super 8 more affordable to the masses a bit like Collectors Club so we must not expect too much from them. But it is quite acceptable and I was pleased to recently get this print from Lee’s Cameras via auntie ebay which enabled me to see those legs again after so many years.

Some very nice editing in this from Howard Smith and a dramatic climax that would stand up even today, it makes for great viewing and I could see this one making a good double bill on 8mm with the likes of King Kong perhaps. A good story in this film and unusual to see Buster Crabbe as the villain trying to knock off fellow artistes. Ill not tell you how it all ends as it will spoil the fun for you, but keep an eye open at Ealing or other film conventions as it is a classic worth having in your own collection. And oh those black stocking clad legs of Miss Ryan!

Print B
Sound A
Fits on a 800ft reel.

MOBILE PHONE OFF SCREEN CLIP
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjO-unkulMc
Sheila Ryan

Buster Crabbe in a tight spot

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on October 17, 2007, 04:42 PM:

Great stuff Lee must hunt this one out though probaly have to be on dvd if it is out.
Its getting difficult to find a proper circus to take the kids to these days.
Best Mark.

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