Trapeze (1956)

A crippled aerialist (Burt Lancaster), now a rigger in a Paris circus, becomes a mentor to an aspiring trapeze artist (Tony Curtis) and together they form an act in which Curtis will do a triple somersault. But when a calculating beauty (Gina Lollobrigida) forces her way into the act, her presence threatens to destroy the partnership. Based on the novel THE KILLING FROST by Max Catto (THE DEVIL AT 4 O'CLOCK) and directed by Carol Reed (OLIVER!). I'm not a fan of circus movies but unlike films such as GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH or THE BIG CIRCUS, director Reed doesn't pad the film with tedious circus acts in between the dramatic storyline. The circus setting is merely a backdrop for the three protagonists to act out their tale. The aerial sequences are quite well done and handsomely shot in CinemaScope by Robert Krasker (EL CID). Lancaster, who was a circus acrobat before turning to acting, does most of his own aerial stunts and co-stars Curtis and Lollobrigida do their fair share too. In the air, the film soars but on the ground, director Reed does his best to make the over familiar engrossing and for the most part he succeeds. There's an unmemorable score by Malcolm Arnold. With Katy Jurado and Thomas Gomez.