Republic pictures is known as one of the best of the "B" studios, releasing dozens of films every year of practically every genre. When television came along, these films were packaged in edited versions which sadly are the only way they can be seen today unless they are the studio's best-known classics. Therefore, films like "Circus Girl" are released on DVD in their television edited version, and in the case of this film, it means that 10 minutes is missing.
Fortunately in this case, the film is actually good in its edited version, and doesn't feel choppy at all. It is a well-made circus drama about a young girl, June Travis, who marries veteran circus performer Donald Cook, stands by him when he is injured in an accident, but when she goes back to work, finds herself spending time alone with his rival, Robert Livingston. When Cook returns to work, he is instantly jealous of the friendship between the two and seeks revenge on them by putting together a very dangerous trapeze act. This leads to a very thrilling conclusion where you never know what is going to happen, showing Livingston trapped high up without a net above a lion cage.
The performances of Donald Cook and Betty Compson stand out in this above-average programmer. Compson plays the circus lion tamer, a blousy older woman who has been involved with Cook on the side for years and is instantly jealous of his attention to Clyde. When she finds out that they have married on New Year's Eve, she seems to be the one who will seek revenge, but instead, has a private conversation with Clyde's that reveals her true nature. A veteran silent actress who works well into the talkie era, Compson reminds me of Gladys George with her gin-soaked voice and earthy ways. Cook delivers a strong, conflicted performance that erupts when his jealousy takes over his sensibilities.
While the film opens on a somewhat cheap-looking level, the photographers and writers provide a look and a story that grabs the fewer from the very beginning and holds the attention through the end. At just over 50 minutes in its edited version, it tells enough of the backstory, character development and conflict to make the viewer quite interested in what will happen. The circus atmosphere never feels cheap or vulgar, and for the many poverty row films that had anything like this, this one has to be among the best.
Fortunately in this case, the film is actually good in its edited version, and doesn't feel choppy at all. It is a well-made circus drama about a young girl, June Travis, who marries veteran circus performer Donald Cook, stands by him when he is injured in an accident, but when she goes back to work, finds herself spending time alone with his rival, Robert Livingston. When Cook returns to work, he is instantly jealous of the friendship between the two and seeks revenge on them by putting together a very dangerous trapeze act. This leads to a very thrilling conclusion where you never know what is going to happen, showing Livingston trapped high up without a net above a lion cage.
The performances of Donald Cook and Betty Compson stand out in this above-average programmer. Compson plays the circus lion tamer, a blousy older woman who has been involved with Cook on the side for years and is instantly jealous of his attention to Clyde. When she finds out that they have married on New Year's Eve, she seems to be the one who will seek revenge, but instead, has a private conversation with Clyde's that reveals her true nature. A veteran silent actress who works well into the talkie era, Compson reminds me of Gladys George with her gin-soaked voice and earthy ways. Cook delivers a strong, conflicted performance that erupts when his jealousy takes over his sensibilities.
While the film opens on a somewhat cheap-looking level, the photographers and writers provide a look and a story that grabs the fewer from the very beginning and holds the attention through the end. At just over 50 minutes in its edited version, it tells enough of the backstory, character development and conflict to make the viewer quite interested in what will happen. The circus atmosphere never feels cheap or vulgar, and for the many poverty row films that had anything like this, this one has to be among the best.