Circus on Ice (1954) User Reviews

Maybe Entertaining In Its Day

[gavin6942 · 3/10 · 9 November 2014]

Based on the 40th Annual Carnival of the Toronto Skating Club.

Although perhaps unfair to judge a short film from 1954 sixty years later (November 2014), given that the creators probably never intended it to have a long life, this is nevertheless what a review must be.

The showcase of talent is rather impressive, with some very nice synchronized routines. Again, but 2014 standards, these may not be the world's best skaters who might be racking up gold medals, but for its time it was not bad and far better than most people could ever achieve. (This film's star, Jacqueline du Bief, did win the bronze in 1952, though.)

The confusing part is how this is a "circus" on ice. Other than the ringleader, who stands around doing nothing, and the women dressed up (poorly) as zebras, there seems to be no reason to call this a circus. Why can it not just be a figure skating exhibition?

Fun for all! Well for those who want a combo circus and ice skating show

[Aaron1375 · 2/10 · 14 February 2014]

A short that is basically an advertisement for a combination circus and ice show; however, one has to wonder, who the heck would want to watch the show after viewing this short? I mean, it pretty much sums up everything you are going to see, so you have not surprises. Also, what it does show does not make me want to rush out and see it as the show does not look all that impressive. Granted, the short is from the 50's, so maybe it would have been passable during that time frame. However, even being from an earlier time frame, I did notice that other than a few of the skaters, most the people in the show look kind of awkward, as if they have only laced up the skates a few other times. This show may be enjoyable in the summertime during a very hot day as one could escape the heat for a bit, other than that just not a lot of fun to be had from what I saw. You get to see people dressed in animal costumes, a girl imitate a deer being hunted and clowns! Yes, there is horror at this show too! Still, on the plus side, there are no animals being exploited here, only people inhabit this wondrous show on the ice...people and clowns!

Two Reviews: Straight, and the MST3k Version

[Calaboss · 2/10 · 1 January 2010]

This is a horrible promo film for a Toronto ice show from 1954. I offer this review split twain, between the actual promo (which, as far as I can see, cannot be found on video), and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment of this film (which CAN be found, and is hilarious).

First, the straight promo: Toronto is/was apparently really happy with ice rink shows (this was mid 50's. I don't know if this has changed). Secondly, it invokes circus affection, of which I have none. And if people love the exploitation and beating of circus animals, well I can't help you with your animal abuse impulses. The real filming of this in the 1950's was before the horrible treatment of circus animals was even discussed or revealed. Now we know, so open season on those folks. Just a horrible promo.

Now, onto the MST3k version, which, in my opinion is the 2nd funniest short they ever did (Mr. B Natural is 1st). ANIMAL ABUSE ON ICE!!!!!! You folks that aren't familiar with Mystery Science Theater 3000 will probably have no clue, but trust me, this is a good reason to find MST3k. You have to be born between 1950 and 1980, and even if you are, you might not get it. But witness as the gut-shot, dying fawn, skates over her own entrails.............. See it to know the funny...........

It's horrid as a promo, but it's GREAT as MST Fodder.

See it if you can.

I'll have my circus straight up, please!

[bioscoopzaal · 18 October 2002]

The boys from MST3K once again managed to make the unwatchable watchable. Unfortunately, Circus On Ice is just some lame promo for a "new and revolutionary ice-skating show!!!" In other words, enough to make your skin crawl. Only worth checking out if you're into MST3K, otherwise read a book.

Not what I call entertainment

[bensonmum2 · 2/10 · 19 May 2017]

When watching something like Circus on Ice, I realize how fortunate I am to live in an era with so many entertainment options. It's plain old bad. I always try my best to judge a film (or short in this case) by the standards of the time in which it was made. Even in 1954, I can't imagine anyone watching Circus on Ice and getting any sort of enjoyment out of it. The 8+ minute runtime goes by excruciatingly slow. Circus on Ice attempts to combine two things that I loathe – the circus and ice shows. I say "attempts" because the circus potion is lacking. It's mostly just ice dancing. And for an ice show, Circus on Ice has a very dark tone to it. Two of the featured acts include images of death. In one, a group of toy soldiers combine to kill a dragon. In the other, even darker scene, we witness some skater named Jacqueline de Bief portraying a frolicking fawn. Suddenly, hunters approach and kill the baby deer. As Ms de Bief falls to the ice acting out the last moments of the fawn's life, I'm sure it brought great joy to the boys and girls in the audience. There's no better way to entertain children than shooting a baby deer. This thing is just awful.

The only saving grace to Circus on Ice - thankfully, there were no godforsaken clowns.

Godawfulness. On Ice!

[marcus_stokes2000 · 1/10 · 6 November 2006]

*SPOILERS On Ice*

Can someone explain me the appeal of a circus on ice??? Especially the one depicted in this short.

Yes, basically the title is the synopsis.

A circus.

On ice.

Big woop-de-doo.

But what's worse, is seeing the sheer idiocy of this short which is unashamedly trying to sell us gold-painted crap.

Thank God for the MST3K guys, which have given new life to this... as a comedy.

Especially memorable is the song which Crow sings about two pink-wearing female skaters:

These two girls, they make quite a pair, they will come from your worst nightmare, they will haunt you, so forever, and now, when you see pink, you're gonna think... WE'RE DOOMED! They are agents of Satan...

Circus On Ice: 1/10

You got your circus on my ice! You got your ice on my circus!

[icehole4 · 1/10 · 16 January 2003]

This is one of those short films that makes you wonder what they were trying to do. It's a mixture of being boring, some not-so-beautiful women as slabs of cheesecake, and stupid and fake looking costumes. The idea is an interesting one, but extremely poorly executed.

Rightfully skewered on MST3K, this short should be avoided otherwise.

A Neat Look Back

[kkmwills · 4/10 · 7 August 2022]

If you enjoy today's world of skating, in all of it's types, then this is an interesting look at a show put on by talented regular folk ( with at least one exception.)

If you have ever seen a musical of the 30's, heard a song from the 1910s, watched a TV show from the 50's, then this is like that- a moment that we have built on or moved past. It can be fun to see what was considered thrilling then.

The riffed version the guys from Best Brains has its moments, obviously.

Still,not a bad sit for 8 minutes, imo.

Two bad things that go worse together!

[TheOneManBoxOffice · 1/10 · 11 August 2016]

When it came to short films, Warner Brothers was best known for their Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon series that were released in theatres way back when. They've released other shorts as well, but this one is rather special. Why? It got the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" treatment.

"Circus on Ice" is a 1954 live-action short based on the 40th annual Carnival of the Toronto Skating Club (thanks Canada) showcasing the different talents that the group has done at the event...and that's pretty much it. Nothing else. There isn't a whole lot I can say about it, except that it's just as exciting as watching a figure skating competition on television, which is not that exciting...at all. Even the rather stupid narration from Ken Davey isn't entertaining. James A. Fitzpatrick, he isn't (look him up if you don't know who I'm talking about).

The short, despite originally being from the 1950's, is practically a waste of film. No one really gets anything from it, and is just a straight-up bore to watch, even if it's only 8 minutes long. One the bright side, it made good MST3K fodder, so if you really want to see the short for yourself, watch the MST3K episode featuring 1965's "Monster-A- Go-Go".

Typical documentary from the late 1940's...

[deborahwyman · 7/10 · 12 February 2018]

Interesting, even if a bit corny... It's about the Toronto Skate Club (as in ice skating).

P.S. The short is on mst3k dvd, season 15: Monster A-Go-Go

Operation Desert Ice Storm

[lee_eisenberg · 11 November 2011]

Ah yes, another short movie from the oh-so-innocent '50s. "Circus on Ice" is so BORING that you wish that the ice could melt and swallow the people making the movie. No surprise then that this garbage became fodder for "Mystery Science Theater 3000". Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank cruelly forced Joel, Servo and Crow to watch it right before showing them the equally bad "Monster A-Go-Go". One of the three called it "every male chauvinist fantasy" and the trio found the time to Bella Abzug, Donny & Marie, and Emmett Kelly.

In conclusion, the movie itself is a total zero, but the "MST3K" version is a 10/10. How mean of the doc and his assistant to force Joel and the 'bots to watch this.

Is this something Canada is proud of?

[ticklemetorgo · 27 June 2005]

Nor to be viewed without assistance of MST, ice skating shows are dull enough, ice shows with circus themes, even more lame, but having to watch a film about it? Almost like watching a fireworks show on film, except fireworks shows are pretty cool.

This is probably what inspired the Donny and Marie show, itself bad enough, but for the times I watched the show, it was my least favorite part (yes I watched the show, I was young and stupid and had no friends) I thank god I never went to Ice Capades. I also had only gone to one circus in my life and hated it. Anyway Canada shame on you for producing such an atrocity, but a great MST short!!

Frightening and disturbing

[minormillikin · 25 April 2003]

This one gave me nightmares. Circus on Ice should actually be called horror on ice. Its a story about demonic ice dancers, fighting with Earth animals until their frozen deaths (loose interpretation). Only watch this for a dangerous nerve experiment.