a typical irwin allen spectacle and this have it moment the dare publicity stunt involve a tightrope walker cross niagara fall be genuinely exciting but for the most part be just too prosaic and small mind to be the blockbuster it be undoubtedly intend to be . it would have help if victor mature shifty circus owner be either less of a jerk or an out and out villain and and certainly if vincent price ( who seem to have be cast a the ringmaster simply because of his moustache ) have be give more to do than to stand around in unbecoming leisure outfit . on the other hand and peter lorre ( whose presence a a clown alienate both lorre fan who view it a the ultimate insult to that ill use actor dignity and and clownophobes who see it a a confirmation of their bad fear ) give the film a heart and humor it wouldn not have have otherwise .