KING OF THE CIRCUS is not very good. Maybe it's missing some stuff. There weren't even any intertitles in the print I watched. It's usually listed as Max Linder's final completed film. He plays a rich man's son, a guy who lives a dissolute life. He happens to meet a girl in the park (a very hefty looking Vilma Banky) where he's doing some target practice. He follows her to the circus where she's an aerialist. After various incidents, he takes over the lion tamer's act. He becomes a circus star and wins the girl. He seems way too old (early 40s) and world weary for the part, and Vilma has basically nothing to do. Yes, there is some good bits of physical comedy but maybe he was trying to add pathos a la Chaplin. It doesn't work. I wonder if this circus picture influenced Chaplin's later big top film.
Max Linder, who battled depression after serving in World War I) would kill himself the following year and Vilma Banky would be whisked off to Hollywood where she became a big star until the talkies came in. This film, alas, does nothing for their reputations.
Max Linder, who battled depression after serving in World War I) would kill himself the following year and Vilma Banky would be whisked off to Hollywood where she became a big star until the talkies came in. This film, alas, does nothing for their reputations.