DANGEROUS CURVES (1929)

Richard Arlen and Clara Bow

DANGEROUS CURVES (1929). Director: Lothar Mendes. Colorized. 

Larry Lee (Richard Arlen) is the headliner high-wire act at a small-time circus. He is in love with his partner, Zara (Kay Francis), who is in love with Tony (David Newell), another high-wire artist. Rough-hewn but lovable Pat (Clara Bow), daughter of another deceased circus performer, has a big crush on Larry and hates the way Zara cheats on and uses him. When Zara and Tony run off together, Pat helps Larry get back on his feet, and he agrees to teach her and do a new act with her. But then Zara comes back into the picture ... 

Kay Francis with Arlen

Dangerous Curves is a charming and occasionally touching comedy-drama with some fine performances from the three leads. Anders Randolf also makes an impression as Brack, the owner of the circus. This movie belies the persistent notion that early sound pictures were static and slow, with the camera nailed to the floor, because this picture moves and is well-edited and at times quite cinematic. There are some things you have to take with a grain of salt, however. Arlen falls 170 feet and only breaks a few ribs, and Bow becomes a fairly adept wire walker rather quickly. But as this is another romantic fantasy, who cares?

Clara Bow

Kay Francis [Four Jills in a Jeep] and Richard Arlen [Identity Unknown] went on to make many movies and have successful sound careers, while Bow's career was essentially over four years later. She had had a passionate affair with Bela Lugosi (!) and later married handsome cowboy star Rex Bell, whereupon she retired, had two children, and developed a host of problems. However, she lived until she was sixty. Lothar Mendes also directed The Man Who Could Work Miracles. 

Verdict: An appealing Clara Bow helps put this over. ***. 

CIRCUS WORLD

Rita Hayworth and John Wayne

CIRCUS WORLD (1964). Director: Henry Hathaway. 

Matt Masters (John Wayne) decides to pack up his tents and take his circus on a European tour. His associate and buddy Cap (Lloyd Nolan) suspects that Matt's real reason for going is to find Lily (Rita Hayworth), who ran off fourteen years ago and hasn't been seen since. Lily left behind a daughter, Toni (Claudia Cardinale), who was taken in by Matt, who has become her surrogate father. Matt is a bit disturbed by Toni's feelings for Steve (John Smith), who hopes to become Matt's partner and Toni's husband. But just as the troupe arrives in Paris, there's a disaster when their ship capsizes. 

Wayne with John Smith

Circus World may not be a great movie, but it's quite colorful and entertaining. Hayworth and Wayne, two very different kinds of actors, actually play quite well together, with Hayworth being handled the more difficult role and running with it. Cardinale of the whiskey voice also acquits herself nicely, although one could argue that she's more decorative than anything else. John Smith makes a decidedly positive impression as Steve, but he did much more work on television shows such as Laramie. Lloyd Nolan arguably comes off the best in his peppery and engaging performance as Cap. Richard Conte is also good in an underwritten role as Hayworth's former brother-in-law, a clown. Miles Malleson and Katherine Kath are also notable in smaller roles.

Claudia Cardinale with Wayne

Despite some terrific circus and animal acts involving horses, highwire acts, lions and tigers, the most outstanding sequence is when the boat capsizes at the dock in France. This scene is remarkably well-handled and wakes up anyone who might have been sleeping beforehand. An elaborate sequence when a tent catches fire is also notable, if not quite as impressive. Dimtri Tiomkin's theme song is pretty awful. Other major circus movies include Trapeze, Jumbo, The Big Circus, Carnival Story, and The Greatest Show on Earth, not to mention numerous films of varying genres that use the circus as a backdrop. 

Verdict: Even when Hayworth is down and out and deglamorized she is still beautiful. ***.