The Flying Fontaines (1959)
Director George Sherman's 1959 circus drama stars Michael Callan as a cocky aerialist causing romantic problems under the Big Top.
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hyped garbage
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
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.