Call of the Circus (1929)
60 mins | Drama | December 1929
Director:
Frank O'ConnorWriter:
Maxine AltonCinematographer:
Louis PhysiocProduction Company:
Pickwick PicturesThis marked the first and only release of Pickwick Pictures. An article in the 5 October 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World claimed that the independent production company was established by “experienced picture men” aiming to provide sound films for smaller theaters. Burr Enterprises, Inc., handled distribution on the states’ rights market. A 6 December 1929 release in Atwater, CA, was advertised in that day’s Atwater Signal. The following month, the film opened in New York City on 15 January 1930.
A review in the 29 January 1930 Variety pointed out a flawed scene in which “The Boy” sings the theme song, that was “poorly synchronized” and made obvious use of a voice double. Negative reviews in the 18 January 1930 Motion Picture News and 19 January 1930 Film Daily criticized the film as overly sentimental. ...
This marked the first and only release of Pickwick Pictures. An article in the 5 October 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World claimed that the independent production company was established by “experienced picture men” aiming to provide sound films for smaller theaters. Burr Enterprises, Inc., handled distribution on the states’ rights market. A 6 December 1929 release in Atwater, CA, was advertised in that day’s Atwater Signal. The following month, the film opened in New York City on 15 January 1930.
A review in the 29 January 1930 Variety pointed out a flawed scene in which “The Boy” sings the theme song, that was “poorly synchronized” and made obvious use of a voice double. Negative reviews in the 18 January 1930 Motion Picture News and 19 January 1930 Film Daily criticized the film as overly sentimental.
A retired clown ("The Man") tells a girl whom he meets at a well that he is looking for a circus, and he goes on to recount the story of his life since leaving the circus: Things go smoothly for a time; the man marries a widow ("The Woman") who also left the circus. In time, her son ("The Boy") and his friend, "The Shadow," also leave the circus to come to live with the couple. But the call of the circus is too strong, and first The Shadow, then The Boy, return. Soon afterward, The Man rescues a young girl ("The Girl") from an accident and falls in love with her. Realizing what is happening, The Woman leaves after sending for The Boy, and, as she has anticipated, The Boy and The Girl fall in love. The Man finally recognizes his "love" as merely an attraction to The Girl's youth. He finds The Woman and makes amends, and they return to the circus ...
A retired clown ("The Man") tells a girl whom he meets at a well that he is looking for a circus, and he goes on to recount the story of his life since leaving the circus: Things go smoothly for a time; the man marries a widow ("The Woman") who also left the circus. In time, her son ("The Boy") and his friend, "The Shadow," also leave the circus to come to live with the couple. But the call of the circus is too strong, and first The Shadow, then The Boy, return. Soon afterward, The Man rescues a young girl ("The Girl") from an accident and falls in love with her. Realizing what is happening, The Woman leaves after sending for The Boy, and, as she has anticipated, The Boy and The Girl fall in love. The Man finally recognizes his "love" as merely an attraction to The Girl's youth. He finds The Woman and makes amends, and they return to the circus together.
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