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IMDbPro

The Circus

  • 19281928
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
34K
YOUR RATING
The Circus (1928)
ComedyFamilyRomance
The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
34K
YOUR RATING
    • Charles Chaplin
    • Charles Chaplin
  • Stars
    • Charles Chaplin
    • Merna Kennedy
    • Al Ernest Garcia
    • Charles Chaplin
    • Charles Chaplin
  • Stars
    • Charles Chaplin
    • Merna Kennedy
    • Al Ernest Garcia
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 346User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos91

    Charles Chaplin, Steve Murphy, and Max Tyron in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin and Merna Kennedy in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin and Merna Kennedy in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin, Henry Bergman, Harry Crocker, Al Ernest Garcia, and Merna Kennedy in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin and Henry Bergman in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin and Merna Kennedy in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin in The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin and Henry Bergman in The Circus (1928)
    The Circus (1928)
    The Circus (1928)
    Charles Chaplin in The Circus (1928)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charles Chaplin
    Charles Chaplin
    • A Tramp
    • (as Charlie Chaplin)
    Merna Kennedy
    Merna Kennedy
    • The Proprietor's Step-Daughter Merna - A Circus Rider
    Al Ernest Garcia
    Al Ernest Garcia
    • The Circus Proprietor and Ring Master
    • (as Allan Garcia)
    Harry Crocker
    • Rex - A Tight Rope Walker
    George Davis
    George Davis
    • A Magician
    Henry Bergman
    • An Old Clown
    Tiny Sandford
    Tiny Sandford
    • The Head Property Man
    • (as Stanley J. Sandford)
    John Rand
    John Rand
    • An Assistant Property Man
    Steve Murphy
    • A Pickpocket
    Albert Austin
    Albert Austin
    • Clown
    • (uncredited)
    Chester A. Bachman
    Chester A. Bachman
    • Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Eugene Barry
    • Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Bernard
    • Man in Circus Audience
    • (uncredited)
    Stanley Blystone
    Stanley Blystone
    • Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Heinie Conklin
    Heinie Conklin
    • Clown
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Knight
    • Cop
    • (uncredited)
    Toraichi Kono
    • Man in Circus Audience
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    H.L. Kyle
    • Man in Circus Audience
    • (uncredited)
      • Charles Chaplin
      • Charles Chaplin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the 1969 reissue, the 80-year-old Sir Charles Chaplin sang the title song.
    • Goofs
      After the tramp washes the shaving cream from his face, he dries himself with a towel, but the towel never touches his face. (This is probably so that it won't mess up the stage makeup.)
    • Quotes

      The Circus Proprietor and Ring Master: Go ahead and be funny.

    • Alternate versions
      Charles Chaplin replaced the original credits of this film when he reissued it in 1969. In their place, there is an opening scene featuring Merna Kennedy on the trapeze while Chaplin sings a song, then the image fades to the credits of that version with no cast nor technical credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Circus: Premiere (1928)
    • Soundtracks
      Swing Little Girl
      (1969) (uncredited)

      Written and Performed by Charles Chaplin for the 1969 release

    User reviews346

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Excellent film.
    The Circus was both my first silent film and the first film I've watched by Charles Chaplin. Being my first silent film i thought for sure i would be bored to death, but was i wrong. The film was really funny, made me laugh out loud. The comedy in this film is very different to the comedy in films now a days. Now a days most comedy films are big on the special effects and just lame humor. In the circus the actors have actual talent, they have to be very good at showing there emotion, like facial expressions and things like that.I was amazed on how well the movie was, Charlie Chaplin is great and i hope soon i can get my hands on some more of his films. I almost wish they could make a films like this today just maybe with some color, i think it'd be a great idea.
    helpful•10
    0
    • joseph-a-landy
    • Jan 31, 2011

    Our Complex Relationship With On-Screen Clowns

    Our Complex Relationship With On-Screen Clowns

    Art the Clown, Pennywise, and Killer Klowns are just a few of the comical creatures that send shivers down our spines. Check out the most terrifying clowns to grace the screen.
    See the gallery
    View image
    Photos

    FAQ1

    • Is it true that there is a woman talking on a cell phone in this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 1928 (United States)
      • United States
      • Instagram
      • Official Site
      • None
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Glendale, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Charles Chaplin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 12 minutes
      • Black and White
      • Silent

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