Circus World: The Tangled Trapeze of Nostalgia and Spectacle

Feeling a bit nostalgic, aren’t we? Circus World was quite the trip down memory lane. John Wayne, the duke himself, is showing off his cowboy charm in this 1964 flick. And then we’ve got the ever-enchanting Rita Hayworth, who, even in the twilight of her career, was still fascinating. Directed by the illustrious Henry Hathaway and produced by feverish Samuel Bronston – it’s a production packed with larger-than-life personalities.

Being a Swede, I can’t help but think of the big tents and popcorn smells moltakas from our traveling circuses. You’d sneak in under the tent, hoping not to get caught, for the thrill of the lions and the laughter of clowns. Carnival time was magic! Circus World tries to capture that wonder, but with a touch of classic Hollywood gloss.

The plot’s kind of a mixed bag – Wayne’s character, Matt Masters, is trying to reunite his broken circus family. Predictable? Maybe. Heartfelt? It tries to be. And it does manage to create some gripping moments, you know, like when you think the trapeze artist won’t make the swing.

The soundtrack? Full of soaring emotions, a bit too dramatic at times. The film’s got that sweeping Cinemascope sheen that you’d expect from the sixties epic flicks.

You might chuckle when the writers sling in melodramatic dialogue, but it adds a quaint charm. It may not be the best of Hollywood’s golden era, but it delivers entertainment, much like an overstuffed kanelbulle – unexpected but satisfying in its own right.

So if you’re in the mood for a serving of nostalgia coated with a heavy layer of circus theatrics, this one’s your pick. But skip it if you’re after a deeply nuanced plot. Either way, at least you know you’re in for a show!

Check the trailer below