BEST CIRCUS MOVIE LIST

Finding a good movie about the circus is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack...the circus is a popular subject for movies, but usually it is along the lines of Circus of Horrors or Psycho Circus. However, film makers do occassionally get it right, and here, in no particular order, is my list of most enjoyable circus movies.

TRAPEZE (1956) terific circus drama filmed at the famed Cirque d'Hiver (The Winter Circus) in Paris. The Cirque d'Hiver was an ancient, roach-ridden, damp indoor circus venue, but it had incredible atmosphere and was home to the great French Circus Bouglione. "Papa" Bouglione, the 60s patriach, is played by an actor called Thomas Gomez, and the likeness is quite uncanny. The story is a love triangle on the surface. Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster play two flyers in love with the ambitious Lola, who just wants to be famous and wear fabulous costumes. But beneath the surface is a tale of ambitious young performers and the older artists who mentor them...and then must give way to the rising star. It's marvellous stuff. The characters are spot on. You will meet people like this on any circus.

THE GREAT WALLENDAS (1978) The story of the tragic family is well told in this moving film. There is no glossing over the characters either, Karl Wallenda is shown warts and all in Lloyd Bridges' fine performance. I enjoy this movie for the scenes of daily circus life, which ring so true, and for the marvellous scenes of the Wallendas' amazing act.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH (1952) Oh go on, I had to include it. It is so much FUN and that "sawdust in your blood" line is such a killer. Still can't get over Jimmy Stewart going to bed in his clown makeup though.

CIRCUS WORLD (1964)

A big surprise, this one. Made 12 years after the Charlton Heston three ring spectacular above, with John Wayne as the grizzled circus boss, it looked like a rehash. But under all the glitz there is a very lovely story and its worth seeing if you can get a hold of it these days. Lovely Toni Alfredo (played by 60s babe Claudia Cardinale) wants to be a flyer, but Big John won't have a bar of it. Then his old flame and one time flyer, Lili, reappears and she's Toni's mum, wouldn't you know? The story is how these two gals put together a killer aerial act.

THE CIRCUS (1928) A little pearl by the greatest clown of all time, Charlie Chaplin. Charlie stumbles into a job at the circus and falls in love with a bareback rider.

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