To date, I've seen two 1912 Danish circus films directed by Alfred Lind, which ought to be more than sufficient to get me married one of these days. Unfortunately, the second installment in this little-known melodramatic saga is far less interesting than its predecessor, 'The Flying Circus (1912).' The earlier film at least had all the components of an entertaining circus drama: high-wire antics, burning buildings, high-wire antics from burning buildings...
'The Bear Tamer (1912)' barely takes place in a circus at all, and the frequent bear-dancing is a depressing reminder of how miserable the lives of circus animals have always been. The three-act story revolves around a Bear Tamer (played by the director himself), who marries the vampiric Ula-Kiri-Maja (Lili Bech, seemingly reprising her role from the previous film). When the woman becomes unfaithful, the Bear Tamer decides that a trained bear should be utilised in his retribution.
'The Bear Tamer (1912)' barely takes place in a circus at all, and the frequent bear-dancing is a depressing reminder of how miserable the lives of circus animals have always been. The three-act story revolves around a Bear Tamer (played by the director himself), who marries the vampiric Ula-Kiri-Maja (Lili Bech, seemingly reprising her role from the previous film). When the woman becomes unfaithful, the Bear Tamer decides that a trained bear should be utilised in his retribution.