The Circus (1928)
Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Al Ernest Garcia, Merna Kennedy
Length: 71 min.
Genre: Comedy
Based on: Screenplay written by Charlie Chaplin
The Tramp Goes To The Circus!
The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) ends up being chased around by the cops after he's caught pick pocketing. He's chased into the tent where a performance is being given and the crowd, think it's part of the act, love the antics they see. The Ring Master (Al Ernest Garcia) hires the Tramp. However, he soon learns that the Tramp just is not funny. He makes him a janitor, and forces him in front of the crowd and waits for hilarity to ensue when the Tramp eventually messes up.
The Tramp also is in love with the Ring Master's daughter (Merna Kennedy). A tight-rope walker is hired, and she falls for him. The Tramp is heart broken when he finds this out and is unable to perform. When the tight-rope walker misses a day, The Tramp sees it as a chance to win her heart and goes on.
In the end, however, The Tramp realizes the Ring Master's daughter wants to be with the tight-rope walker, so he gets them together and they get married. The Circus leaves town, but The Tramp stays behind.
The making of the film took a long time. Chaplin's bitter divorce from his 2nd wife, a nervous breakdown and his studio batching fire all contributed to the movie taking over a year to make. It's estimated that it cost $900,000, but it also made $3.8 million, making it one of the highest grossing silent movies.
This was a funny movie, but not one of Chaplin's better comedies. I found The Gold Rush to be a lot funnier. Still, "not one of Chaplin's best" is still pretty damn funny.
My Rating: 7/10
IMDB User Rating: 7.9/10 (4,723 votes)
Rotten Tomaotes: 100% (11 reviews, 8.6/10)