Trapeze (1956)

A crippled circus acrobat is torn emotionally between two ambitious young trapeze artists, one a talented young American and a less-gifted but beautiful Italian.

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

Max Catto (novel), Liam O'Brien (adaptation),

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Gina Lollobrigida

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Mike Ribble
Tony Curtis	...	Tino Orsini
Gina Lollobrigida	...	Lola
Katy Jurado	...	Rosa
Thomas Gomez	...	Bouglione
Johnny Puleo	...	Max (dwarf) (as John Puleo)
Minor Watson	...	John Ringling North
Gérard Landry	...	Chikki (as Gerard Landry)
Jean-Pierre Kérien	...	Otto (as Jean-Pierre Kerien)
Sid James	...	Snake Charmer (as Sidney James)
Gimma Boys	...	Circus family children
Los Arriolas	...	Specialty Act
Gamil Ratib	...	Stefan
Pierre Tabard	...	Paul
Edward Hagopian	...	3rd partner of Lola

Storyline

Mike Ribble was once a great trapeze artist - and the only to have completed a triple somersault - before his accident. Tino joins the circus, and manages to covince Mike to teach him the 'triple'. Meanwhile Lola, a tumbler, wants to get in on the act.

---

Plot Keywords:

trapeze | circus | trapeze artist | acrobat | limp | 

---

Taglines:

It happens there in mid-air...in all its fire, flesh and fury!

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

30 May 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Trapez

Filming Locations:

Cirque d'Hiver - 110 rue Amelot, Paris 11, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Joanna Productions, Susan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording) (optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (magnetic prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Burt Lancaster performed all of the trapeze stunts himself, having worked in a circus before entering films. He insisted on doing the climactic triple flip, but technical adviser Eddie Ward initially was hesitant on Lancaster performing the stunt, so Ward doubled for Lancaster during the first weeks of shooting, but Lancaster told director Carol Reed that he knew how to do the stunt from the get-go so it is Lancaster you see in the final cut of the film.

---

Quotes

Mike Ribble: Why do you think I always want a two-act? One swings, and the other catches, and nobody comes between them!

---

Connections

Referenced in Cheers: Peterson Crusoe (1984)

---

Soundtracks

"The Washington Post"
(uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa
Played during the parade

User Reviews

Puzzling film for Reed to helm

Carol Reed has often been viewed as a great director of British films. This is the second film of his I've seen, after the (truly) classic "The Third Man". It is not what I'd have expected from Reed. The script lacks wit, surprise or innovation; it's tough to contemplate why Reed chose to make a film based on such a run-of-mill story. The saving grace tends to be the acting. Burt Lancaster fares best, offering charisma and some depth. Curtis is profficient as the overly naive pupil of Lancaster, while Gina Lollobrigida offers a steady portrayal and much radiance. The circus ambience is well created, and everything seems realistic. The trapeze act is breathtakingly filmed, it has to be said, and the colour is effective.

A minor effort from Carol Reed, that against all odds, is never boring. Rating:- *** (out of *****).