Mike Ribble (Lancaster) was a talented trapeze artist, and the 6th man to successfully perform the triple somersault, until a fall ended his career. Years later, he is working in Bouglione's (Gomez) circus as a rigger. Tino Orsini (Curtis) is a promising trapeze artist who wants to learn the triple somersault from the best. Despite Mike's initial reluctance, he sees the potential in Tino. They become a team, with Mike serving as the catcher and instructor and Tino as the flyer. They promise Bouglione a triple somersault and he puts them in the show.
Meanwhile, Lola (Lollobrigida) is willing to do anything to get the spotlight on herself. She is a member of a tumbling group, where she is slowly taking on a more prominent role. But she sees Mike and Tino as a better opportunity and ditches her current act. Mike wants a two-act "one flies and one catches - and no one comes between", but Tino and Bouglione force him to include Lola. Lola tries to manipulate both Tino and Mike to get a bigger and better role in the act, which puts the triple on the back-burner. Can Tino successfully complete the triple somersault and keep the team together?
Based on the 1950 novel "The Killing Frost" by Max Catto.
The Good:
The trapeze scenes are incredible. You feel the tension and are on the edge of your seat. The camera work in general is great.
Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster make a great team.
The Bad:
It drags in places. You really dislike Gina Lollobrigida's Lola for most of the film - Lollobrigida does it well, but I don't love the character.
Other Comments:
-Lancaster worked in the circus before acting. He performed most of his own trapeze stunts in the film.
-Lancaster and Curtis made 4 films together, including this one: Criss Cross in 1949, Sweet Smell of Success in 1957, and The List of Adrian Messenger in 1963.
-The rest of the cast (outside of the love triangle) are fine, but don't have much to do.
Trapeze (1956) 145 minutes
Director: Carol Reed
Starring: Burt Lancaster as Mike Ribble
Tony Curtis as Tino Orsini
Gina Lollobrigida as Lola
Katy Jurado as Rosa O'Flynn
Thomas Gomez as Bouglione
Johnny Puleo as Max
Minor Watson as John Ringling North
Gerard Landry as Chikki
John-Pierre Kerien as Otto
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