A familiar romantic rivalry unfolds within the confines of a French circus, featuring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, and Gina Lollobrigida. A former aerialist now working as a rigger at a Paris circus (Lancaster) finds renewed purpose when he takes a promising young performer from Brooklyn under his wing (Curtis). Things seem to be progressing well until an attractive acrobat joins their act (Lollobrigida). "Trapeze,” released in 1956, follows the established pattern of films like "The Greatest Show on Earth," and was commercially successful. However, it’s a considerably simpler story; the action takes place in one location—the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris—and the narrative centers primarily on the trapeze routines rather than showcasing other circus performances. The main appeal lies with the three leads, all at their best during filming: Burt Lancaster was 42, Tony Curtis was 30, and Gina Lollobrigida was 28. It’s worth noting that Lancaster had experience in the circus before transitioning to acting, performing almost all of his own aerial stunts except for one. Sadly, a stunt double for Lollobrigida died after falling approximately 40 feet during production, sustaining a broken back. Regarding the captivating Gina, she is undoubtedly a visual standout, and the film takes every opportunity to highlight her beauty. Katy Jurado also appears in a supporting role, along with other minor characters. Although the movie offers some entertainment through its charm, it’s ultimately limited by its straightforward approach and the predictable melodrama of the love triangle. Furthermore, Lola's scheming doesn’t necessarily make her likeable. Among my preferred circus-themed movies are "Water for Elephants" (2011) and "Circus of Horrors" (1960), alongside “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Other recommendations include "The Big Circus" (1959), "Roustabout" (1964), and "Circus of Fear" (1966), also known as "Psycho-Circus." The running time is 1 hour, 45 minutes. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB