Review: Circus World

John Wayne plays a rootin’, tootin’ three-ring circus owner who takes his struggling wild west-themed show all over Europe. Claudia Cardinale is the 18 year-old young woman he has raised as her foster father (but who is her real father?), and she’s also a part of the circus troupe. Her former highwire artist mother (Rita Hayworth) left years ago after a stunt gone wrong that resulted in her husband dying. Unfortunately, a huge disaster sees most of the circus equipment destroyed. Wayne is undeterred, he tries to get things rebuilt and have the show go on ahead. Meanwhile, he knows Hayworth (whom he has unresolved feelings for) is supposed to be somewhere in Germany. Lloyd Nolan plays Wayne’s veteran right-hand businessman, with John Smith the young up-start who might just be Wayne’s successor one day. Richard Conte plays the highwire clown brother of the deceased, who is still tortured by the memories and the pain, but decides to join Wayne’s circus anyway, with his young niece (Katharyna).

 

I haven’t seen “The Greatest Show on Earth” in decades, so I can’t make a fair comparison (I remember really liking Jimmy Stewart, but I always like Jimmy), but this 1964 circus movie from director Henry Hathaway (“Shepherd of the Hills”, “Kiss of Death”, “The Sons of Katie Elder”) is pretty enjoyable stuff. It’s kind of interesting that while heir apparent to the western throne Clint Eastwood was in Spain filming “A Fistful of Dollars” for Sergio Leone, Duke and Hathaway were in Spain the same year making a circus movie. John Wayne and ‘circus owner’ didn’t initially register with me, and while they’ve obviously had to tie a wild west theme to his show, he nonetheless has undeniable presence and star power. And y’know what? He eventually won me over, and is likeably laidback here and in good spirits.

 

The projection work is appalling, but the circus acts are quite fun and pretty impressive. Yes, there’s clearly some trickery involved in the lion taming scene, but it’s still John Wayne taming a freakin’ lion in a movie. How awesome is that? Aside from the projection work (the rest of the film looks terrific), Claudia Cardinale is the only other thing that’ll stand out like a sore thumb. The poor gal tries her best, but dressed like Calamity Jane, she simply doesn’t belong here at all. She’s doing her damndest, but she’s speaking in her second language to begin with. Full marks, however, for Cardinale showing the greatest display of cleavage this side of Russ Meyer, in the final scene. That sure is a lotta booby right there. John Smith, meanwhile, leaves about as much of a memorable impression as his name. He’s not awful, he’s just…John Smith. I also wish the lovely Kay Walsh were given more to say and do.

 

Look, there’s not very much that’s seriously wrong here, so long as you know what you’re getting. It’s a basic circus movie plot, but it works. There’s certainly never a dull moment. There’s too much going on for that, and the obvious fun Duke is having, proves to be quite infectious. Lloyd Nolan is terrific back-up in a very Arthur O’Connell part, whilst Richard Conte gives an interestingly glum performance, something that is well within his narrow wheelhouse. Playing a highwire clown, he’s genuinely good. The actress playing his niece however (credited solely as Katharyna), is atrocious. High-wire acts really do seem insane to me. Even when you’re hooked up to a seemingly invisible wire and whatnot, it’s still incredibly brave to do that with lions on the ground ready to pounce on fresh meat. Even the usually annoying Rita Hayworth is interestingly cast here in a melodramatic but not very glamorous character part. She’s OK. I don’t know what long-serving Brit character actor Miles Malleson was doing here in a John Wayne film, but he’s always a delight. His is a one-scene role basically, but as a shameless tabloid newspaper man, he’s more than solid. Pretty spectacular and convincing Big Top fire climax, I have to say. Ludicrous, of course, but well-done aside from the dodgy projection work in some parts. I highly doubt Wayne did his own stunts here, it’d be incredibly irresponsible of him given he was approaching the twilight of his career/life.

 

This is clearly a big, expensive spectacle of a movie, and enjoyable on that level. Wayne being in a relaxed mood and some fine supporting actors help you forget some of the lumps. Surprisingly fun, and certainly better than its reputation. The screenplay is by Ben Hecht (“Notorious”, “Strangers on a Train”), Julian Halevy, and James Edward Grant (“The Alamo”), from a story by Philip Yordan (“The Harder They Fall”, “El Cid”, “The Fall of the Roman Empire”) and Nicholas Ray (director of “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Johnny Guitar”). A lot of big names (it was Hecht’s last, also) for what is just a bit of showy fun, but it’s well-done.

 

Rating: B-