A delightful, full-length, silent, black and white feature from Charlie Chaplin – the master of non-verbal slapstick communication and entertainment.
As The Tramp, Chaplin is mistakenly believed to be a pickpocket. Chased into the ring of an ailing circus, the antics of clown and police bring the house down. A job is reluctantly offered and romance follows (Merna Kennedy).
But with most Chaplin silent films, short or feature length, it’s not the narrative so much the excuse for a series of hilarious antics. Whilst being chased, the hall of mirrors and disappearing person magic trick scenes are true landmarks of slapstick. The Circus is Chaplin through and through – he stars, directs, writes, produces and even sings the title song!
Presented with a special Oscar at the first ever ceremony in 1929 for versatility and genius in acting, writing and producing.
Rating: 80%
Director: Charlie Chaplin (Monsieur Verdoux, Modern Times)
Writer: Charlie Chaplin (Monsieur Verdoux, Modern Times)
Main cast: Charlie Chaplin (Monsieur Verdoux, Modern Times), Merna Kennedy (Ghost Valley, The Big Chance), Al Ernest Garcia (Modern Times, City Lights)
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