When her circus-performer parents die in an accident, Christine, a young girl, is raised by other circus-performers, including Hagan, a balloon-vender, and Pete Barman as her guardians. When she grows up, she asks to also become a performer, and Barman agrees.
Should you seek out this nearly century-old circus drama today? Short answer: yes, but only if you appreciate the gritty, unpolished textures of silent-era melodrama over modern spectacle. This film is for the historian and the lover of character-driven tension; it is certainly not for those who demand high-octane acti...
still_frame
Comparing the cinematic DNA and archive impact of two defining moments in cult history.
Archie Mayo
Archie Mayo
Community
Log in to comment.
"Should you seek out this nearly century-old circus drama today? Short answer: yes, but only if you appreciate the gritty, unpolished textures of silent-era melodrama over modern spectacle. This film is for the historian and the lover of character-driven tension; it is certainly not for those who demand high-octane action or contemporary pacing. Christine of the Big Tops is a film that breathes through its atmosphere. While many circus films of the era focused on the wonder of the performance, th..."
Sonya Levien
United States
Deep dive into the cult classic
Discover similar cinematic experiences
A Directorial Spotlight on Archie Mayo
