The Circus (1928)

In the enchanting whirlwind of the traveling circus, there's a brutal undercurrent of trouble. The ringmaster, who is not only the owner but also the stern stepfather of the talented Merna, a circus rider, seems to find everyone else responsible for the circus's woes but himself. Merna, a beacon of grace amidst the chaos, bears the brunt of his harshness. Enter the Tramp, a hapless vagabond, who stumbles into the circus realm while evading the police, who mistake him for a pickpocket. An unwitting participant in the grand spectacle, he disrupts a live performance, transforming his frantic pursuit into a comedy act that leaves the audience in stitches. Mistaken for a clown, the Tramp becomes an unexpected sensation, and the ringmaster, eager to exploit this newfound asset, hires him, keeping him in the dark about his true value. However, the Tramp's impromptu hilarity is a tough act to follow for himself, as his attempts to be intentionally funny fall flat. The cunning ringmaster, quick to adapt, makes him a janitor who 'accidentally' ends up in the Bigtop at showtime, capitalizing on his natural, unwitting comedic genius. Meanwhile, the Tramp and Merna form a bond, him acting as her shield against her abusive stepfather. As he starts to fall for Merna, a charming new tightrope walker named Rex captures her attention. In a heartfelt attempt to win Merna's affections, the Tramp embarks on a daring mission to become a tightrope walker himself, setting the stage for a captivating tale of love, comedy, and courage under the Bigtop.

The Circus is a comedy movie featuring Al Ernest Garcia.

The Circus is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, FlixFling, Max and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Circus on Amazon Video, Apple TV and FlixFling.