The Circus
Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman - soon the star of the show - and falls in love with the circus owner's stepdaughter.
Critics Sentiment
Tramp performs tightrope act with mischievous monkeys
Tramp's hopes crushed when Merna meets Rex
The film swings from its emotional low point during the fortune teller heartbreak to its comedic peak with the tightrope monkey sequence.
The Circus maintains consistently high audience appreciation throughout, with exceptional peaks during the accidental debut and tightrope sequences. While the romantic subplot creates some predictable moments, reviewers consistently praise Chaplin's physical comedy mastery and the film's emotionally satisfying conclusion. The sentiment arc moves from strong opening comedy through romantic complications to triumphant physical spectacle and bittersweet resolution.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 24
Charlie Chaplin
A Tramp
Al Ernest Garcia
The Circus Proprietor and Ring Master
Merna Kennedy
The Proprietor's Step-Daughter Merna, a Circus Rider
Harry Crocker
Rex, a Tight Rope Walker
George Davis
A Magician
Henry Bergman
An Old Clown
Tiny Sandford
The Head Property Man
John Rand
An Assistant Property Man
Steve Murphy
A Pickpocket
Albert Austin
Clown (uncredited)
Chester A. Bachman
Cop (uncredited)
Eugene Barry
Cop (uncredited)
Jack Bernard
Man in Circus Audience (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone
Cop (uncredited)
Heinie Conklin
Clown (uncredited)
Toraichi Kono
Man in Circus Audience (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
H.L. Kyle
Man in Circus Audience (uncredited)
Betty Morrissey
The Vanishing Lady (uncredited)
Jack Pierce
Man Operating Ropes (uncredited)
Wyn Ritchie Evans
Woman in Crowd (uncredited)
Crew
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