Circus of Horrors

In 1947 England, plastic surgeon Dr. Rossiter performs a botched operation on socialite Evelyn Morley, drawing police attention. He and his assistants Martin and Angela flee to France to avoid capture. To stay ahead of the law, he renames himself Dr. Schüler and begins a new life.

In France, Rossiter/Schüler befriends Nicole, a girl scarred by the war, and earns her circus-owner father Vanet's trust. He surgically restores Nicole's face, showcasing his claimed brilliance. The doctor sees opportunity in Vanet's circus world.

Schüler proposes that Vanet partner with him to run the circus, promising to pay all bills while secretly keeping ownership formalities with Vanet under a private document. Vanet agrees, hoping for safety and a chance to save his circus. The arrangement marks Schüler's rising control over the troupe.

During a celebratory moment, Vanet tries to dance with the circus bear and injures it by dropping a bottle. The bear mauls him, and a conflicted Schüler initially helps but then leaves Vanet to die to protect his own escape.

Schüler, aided by Martin and Angela, begins recruiting lowly and disfigured criminals for surgical transformation. He promises them a new identity and a place in a celebrated European circus, expanding his influence beyond his medical skills.

In Paris, Schüler meets Elissa Caro, a prostitute who robs and kills a man. He offers to transform her scarred face and give her a fresh stage identity as part of his circus. She reluctantly agrees, drawn by the promise of fame.

About ten years pass and Schüler's circus becomes a prominent act across Europe, celebrated for its beautiful performers. Those who leave are followed by a string of mysterious accidents. The glamour is tempered by fear of the mastermind behind it all.

Magda von Meck announces she wants to leave the circus. During her farewell performance in Berlin, she is killed in a knife-throwing act, a murder orchestrated by Schüler to keep the troupe in line. Her death deepens the mystery surrounding the circus.

Elissa deduces that Rossiter is actually Schüler and tries to blackmail him for top-billing. To silence her, he releases a python in her caravan and later has Elissa killed during a rope-swinging act.

Inspector Arthur Ames, posing as a journalist, arrives and questions Nicole, hinting at the deaths within the troupe. Evelyn Morley visits the circus and recognizes Schüler’s masked face, fainting at the revelation. The net tightens on the impostor surgeon.

Melina, a woman scarred by acid, is approached by Schüler who agrees to perform surgery on her and intends to make her the new star of the show. He begins courting her as his latest romantic interest and professional centerpiece.

A deranged Schüler attacks Angela and Martin in their caravan. Martin escapes, releasing a gorilla to attack Schüler. Police arrive as Evelyn stops the chase by striking Schüler with her car, and the dying surgeon utters his last word: Melina.