Purely Joyful Movie!

Overrated and overhyped

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

At 73 minutes this mishmash is way too long. Clumsily directed by old veteran George Sherman, the thrust here is an arrogant, spoiled aerialist who returns to the circus after a military hitch and causes havoc for everyone with whom he comes into contact. A silly, unconvincing story is not aided by patchwork performances from newcomers Michael Callan and Rian Garrick (although in their tights they may arouse some interest)and first-timer Evy Norland in her only film role. (She is married to actor/singer James Darren if that does anything for you.) Fifties' B-actress Joan Evans also fails to excite. There may be a little variety in watching able character actors John Van Dreelen and Joe DeSantis. If it's a circus movie you're after, Trapeze, Carnival Story, The Greatest Show on Earth and even The Big Circus might be more to your liking.