Main Cast: Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Gina Lollobrigida, Katy Jurado, Thomas Gomez
Release Year: 1956
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
Former circus aerialist Burt Lancaster was the logical choice to star in the Technicolor drama Trapeze. Lancaster plays a crippled acrobat, disabled after attempting to perform a dangerous triple mid-air somersault. Tony Curtis co-stars as an aspiring aerialist who coerces Lancaster into teaching him the tricks of the trade. The friendship between Lancaster and Curtis is threatened by the arrival of beautiful, ambitious circus tumbler Gina Lollobridgida (it's a toss-up as to which of the three stars looks best in spangled tights). Surprisingly, Lancaster's former circus partner Nick Cravat is nowhere to be found in the film; we are, however, treated to the harmonica virtuosity of Johnny Puleo. Trapeze is highlighted by its truly breathtaking stunt sequences, performed by the cream of the European big-top circuit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
The story is nothing to write home about, but Trapeze is an entertaining way to pass a couple of hours, thanks in no small part to its director, cast and cinematographer. The setting is a help, too -- the exciting world of the circus, and especially that section of the circus dedicated to aerial artists. Again, you're not going to watch Trapeze for the originality of its story or for crackling good dialogue; the plot is a typical triangle (although there's a hidden undercurrent of homosexuality that threatens to break through now and then) and the dialogue is on the predictable side. But the story does provide characters with just enough meat on them for Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Gina Lollabrigida to get some acting dust stirred up along the way. More importantly, the story provides plenty of excuses for some impressive trapeze action. Even when doubles are used (as is obviously the case in several instances, especially where Lollabrigida is concerned), it's still exciting to watch -- and beautiful, to boot. Director Carol Reed is not at the top of his form in terms of the storytelling, but he and cinematographer Robert Krasker use the camera to excellent effect throughout, not merely in the trapeze sections. Compositions are lovely, and there's a sense of drama to the manner in which the scenes are laid out. Not great, Trapeze is still a fine sawdust-filled way to pass the afternoon. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Johnny Puleo - Max the Dwarf; Minor Watson - John Ringling-North; Gerard Landry - Chikki; Jean-Pierre Kerien - Otto; Sidney James - Snake Charmer; Pierre Tabard - Paul; Gabrielle Fontan - Old Woman; Willy Krause; Edward Ward; Michael Thomas - Ringmaster
Credit
Rino Mondellini - Art Director, Carol Reed - Director, Bert Bates - Editor, Malcolm Arnold - Composer (Music Score), Robert Krasker - Cinematographer, James Hill - Producer, Liam O'Brien - Screenwriter, James R. Webb - Screenwriter, Max Catto - Book Author
Crippled trapeze aerialist and former star Mike Ribble (Burt Lancaster) sees great promise in young, brash Tino Orsini (Tony Curtis). The only man to complete the dangerous triple somersault, Ribble thinks his protege is capable, under his rigorous training, of matching his feat. However, Orsini is distracted by the third member of their circus act, the manipulative Lola (Gina Lollobrigida). Tensions rise as a love triangle forms.
Lancaster, a former circus acrobat, performed many of his own stunts, though the most dangerous (including the climactic triple flip) were done by technical consultant Eddie Ward from Ringling Brothers Circus.[1]
Trapeze was filmed entirely in Paris, including at the Cirque d'hiver, and at the nearby Billancourt studios.[1]
