The Circus

About The Circus

Released in 1928, "The Circus" is a silent film classic directed by Charlie Chaplin. The storyline revolves around a struggling tramp, played by Chaplin, who stumbles upon a job at a circus, leading to comedic events. He unintentionally becomes the star of the show while trying to escape from a police chase, endearing himself to the audience with his hilarious bungling.

Making / Production

The Circus" was produced, written, directed and scored by Charlie Chaplin himself. Despite numerous setbacks during production including a studio fire, personal issues and the introduction of talkies, Chaplin managed to complete the film to critical acclaim.

Actors

• Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp: His remarkable performance and well-timed humor make his character an unforgettable part of silent film history.
• Merna Kennedy as Merna: Playing the role of the circus owner's stepdaughter, she was the lead female role and her subtle comedic timing complemented Chaplin's antics.
• Al Ernest Garcia as The Ringmaster: Playing the stern and strict ringmaster, he excellently portrayed the antagonist of the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Circus" was the first film for which Charlie Chaplin used the now-iconic "Charlot" song as part of the movie's score.
• Despite being a success, Chaplin always referred to "The Circus" as the "little film" due to the numerous troubles he went through during its production.

Awards

Charlie Chaplin was awarded a Special Academy Award in 1929 for his work as actor, writer, director, and producer of "The Circus". It was a recognition of his versatility and talent in the film industry.

Quotes

• "You can see now?" - Charlie Chaplin, The Circus
• "They are mine, those - those applause from the audience!" - Al Ernest Garcia as The Ringmaster, The Circus

Music, Soundtrack

• "Swing, Little Girl, Swing" - Composed by Charlie Chaplin, sung by Merna Kennedy
• "The Circus Theme" – Charlie Chaplin