Trapeze

Burt Lancaster stars as former trapeze legend Mike Dribble, who has turned his back on performing after being crippled in a dangerous maneuver. Tony Curtis is rising star Tino, who tracks Mike down to learn from the master in this glossy 1956 big-top melodrama directed by Carol Reed. When Mike sees Tino's talent in action he comes out of retirement to coach the kid and serve as his catcher as the latter masters the legendary triple somersault. A romantic triangle is formed when Lola (Gina Lollobrigida) seduces Tino and then falls in love with Mike. Lancaster was actually a circus acrobat before turning to acting, and he and Curtis—adorably naïve and earnest as the ambitious, hard-working kid—performed most of their own stunts. Lollobrigida was a major sex symbol in the ‘50s and her hourglass figure is put on display in tights and revealing outfits, both as a hallmark of her character (she is determined to become a circus star at all costs, despite her limited talent) and as cheesecake spectacle for audiences, but there's no sense of passion in the romantic scenes. British director Reed shot much of the film on location with the Paris-based Cirque d'Hiver, which gives the big-top scenes an authentic sense of professionalism and showmanship, but there's not much to the simplistic story and the subplot featuring Katy Jurado as an equestrian whose horse is injured is underdeveloped. Still, this is a colorful film, and Lancaster (who also produced) and Curtis exhibit a convincing rapport. Extras include audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)