Summary
Within the vibrant, transient tapestry of Minor's Mammoth Circus, a singular luminary, Hoop-La, captivated audiences with her breathtaking bare-back riding, daring trapeze acts, and endearing clowning. Raised under the protective, if somewhat naive, guardianship of Old Toodles, the venerable clown, in accordance with her father's dying wish, Hoop-La’s innocent world soon collides with the outside. She finds herself drawn to the superficial charm of Joe McGee, a opportunistic horseman, after an unexpected triumph as his jockey. Concurrently, Tony Barrows, a scion of considerable wealth and aristocratic bearing, develops a profound affection for Hoop-La, yet his initial snobbery is met with her spirited disdain and playful mockery. A pivotal revelation concerning her father's undisclosed affluence propels Hoop-La into a clandestine marriage with McGee, a desperate maneuver to avert a life of anticipated societal ennui. However, the facade of their union swiftly crumbles as McGee’s true, mercenary character is laid bare, compelling Hoop-La to secure his departure with a substantial financial settlement. As she transitions to a life of newfound luxury and independence, McGee, fueled by avarice, plots to expose their secret marriage and claim his perceived entitlement. His nefarious scheme is abruptly and tragically cut short by his demise in a tent fire, a direct consequence of his own drunken debauchery. The narrative culminates in Hoop-La's eventual union with Tony, whose character has been profoundly refined and matured by the crucible of wartime experience, bringing her tumultuous journey to a resolution marked by genuine affection and mutual respect.
Synopsis
Hoop-La, the beautiful star of Minor's Mammoth Circus, a one-ring affair which tours county fairs and small towns, delights crowds with her bare-back riding, trapeze acts, and clowning. Reared in the confines of the circus by Old Toodles the clown, in accordance with her father's dying request, Hoop-La naively accepts the attentions of good-looking Joe McGee, a cheap horseman, after winning a race for him as a jockey. Tony Barrows, the foppish scion of a wealthy family, falls in love with Hoop-La, but she resents his snobbery and makes faces at him. When Hoop-La learns that her father was wealthy, she secretly marries McGee to save herself from a dull society life, but when she discovers McGee's true character, she promises to keep him supplied with money if he leaves. After Hoop-La goes to live in her own luxurious home, McGee plans to make the marriage known and live with her, but he dies in a tent fire caused by his own drunken debauchery. Hoop-La marries Tony, who has matured and come back from the war.
