Review of The Circus (1928) by Ivan M — 23 Apr 2012
This was Charlie Chaplin's follow up to The Gold Rush (1925), which was always going to be a tough act to follow, and it didn't help that this had a troubled production, with Chaplin going through a nasty divorce and the set burning down.
But, the result is one of Chaplin's best films, with some brilliant gags and some brilliant visual trickery as well. The Tramp (Chaplin) starts out being mistaken for a pickpocket as the real pickpocket (Steve Murphy) has planted a stolen wallet on him.
The Tramp runs from the police, and ends up in the ring of a struggling circus, where the audience believe that it's all part of the act, and when it's discovered that it's The Tramp's buffoonery causing people to laugh when The Tramp doesn't realise it, the Circus Ringmaster (Al Ernest Garcia) keeps him on as a props hand, and makes sure there's potential for buffoonery.
The Tramp becomes friends with Merna (Merna Kennedy) the neglected step-daughter of the Circus Ringmaster, who finds solace in The Tramp. But, there's jealousy when Merna falls for tightrope walker Rex (Harry Crocker) and then The Tramp discovers he's the star of the show.
It's got some brilliant comedy pieces, all laugh out loud funny and the setting of a circus is perfect for Chaplin's Tramp, and it has some of his most daring stunts, including a literally death defying tightrope walk with some monkeys as well.
Hugely underrated but an absolute joy to watch.
This review of The Circus (1928) was written by Ivan M on 23 Apr 2012.
The Circus has generally received very positive reviews.
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