The Mind of the Circle

Lonesome young widow Karen Nabors continues to operate the bed & breakfast inn she established with her deceased husband. Late one stormy night a handsome stranger checks in, but by morning has disappeared.

He returns later that day, only to leave again late that night. Intrigued by his mysterious nature, Karen decides to follow the stranger - whose goes by the name John Simmons - on one of his midnight excursions.

She watches him board an unusual vessel moored at the port docks. Unable to follow him further, Karen is about to return home when she is captured at gunpoint by the ship's crewmen, who bring her aboard the vessel. There she is questioned regarding her motives and affiliations.

It soon becomes clear that John is a spy, perhaps even a double agent. Having seen too much, Karen finds herself a prisoner aboard the ship.

But there is more to John Simmons than meets the eye. With the help of a fellow undercover agent, he frees Karen, sending her on the run.Plenty of twists and double-crosses remain in this world of questionable loyalties, and John and Karen have not seen the last of each other. Old associates reappear, and John realizes that the supposed player has himself been played.

Shot on Super-8 film, this 63-minute melodrama was an ambitious undertaking for a small-budget production, featuring large-scale settings and action sequences. The film starred newcomers Chelly Hartl and Ronald D. Beckner, who would later take on the role of Vince Ellis in Somewhere Else.

Technical shortcomings precluded The Mind of the Circle from acquiring distribution, but fans of indie productions have enjoyed its unique, warts-and-all brand of charm.