In this Chaplin film, that marked the end of the silent era (though not the end of silents for Chaplin), Chaplin's tramp is accused of criminal acts, and unwittingly ducks into a big top, where his bumbling attempts to avoid pursuing police officers earn the laughter and applause of the circus-goers. Impressed, the ringmaster decides to employ the tramp as an entertainer. In between getting trapped in a lion's cage and partaking in clumsy high wire escapades, he falls for a beautiful show rider, who unfortunately has eyes for a daring tightrope acrobat.

Jeffrey Vance wrote, "Chaplin—a great cinema auteur—revealed his innermost feelings through his films. In The Circus, he fashioned a scenario that places The Tramp within the confines of a circus and, in so doing, documents, celebrates, and memorializes his own position as the greatest clown of his time. And, that accomplishment—beyond the wonderful comedy—ranks The Circus a major Chaplin film of considerable importance."

Chaplin (Mutual) short ONE A.M. (1916) will also be shown.

$10 -- your ticket supports this screening and ongoing silent film programming in St. Louis.

THIS EVENT IS ALL AGES!! And, if you’ve never seen a silent film before, message us and we will reserve a seat for you, for free.

Tickets: https://silents-please-stl.square.site/

This is an outdoor event -- and in the event of inclement weather, event will be rescheduled and tickets can be refunded.