''The Circus Cyclone'' is a 1925 American silent

Western film The Western is a film genre defined by the American Film Institute as films which are "set in the American West that mbodythe spirit, the struggle, and the demise of the new frontier." Generally set in the American frontier between the Calif ...

written and directed by

Albert S. Rogell Albert S. Rogell (August 21, 1901 – April 7, 1988) was an American film director who was born in Oklahoma City and died in Los Angeles. Rogell directed more than a hundred movies between 1921 and 1958. He was known for an aggressive directing ...

. The film stars

Art Acord Arthemus Ward "Art" Acord (April 17, 1890 – January 4, 1931) was an American silent film actor and rodeo champion. After his film career ended in 1929, Acord worked in rodeo road shows and as a miner in Mexico. Early life and career Acord ...

, Moe McCrea, Nancy Deaver,

Cesare Gravina Cesare Gravina (23 January 1858 – 16 September 1954) was an Italian actor of the silent era who appeared in more than 70 films from 1911 to 1929. Born in Naples, Gravina was an orchestra conductor in his native Italy. As the conductor at ...

, Albert J. Smith, and

Hilliard Karr Hilliard Karr (1899 – 1945) was an American comedic actor. He appeared in a series of short films with fellow heavyweights Frank Alexander and Bill "Kewpie" Ross (Ton of Fun). Scenes from the Tons of Fun episode ''Heavy Love'' were used on ...

. The film was released on October 4, 1925, by

Universal Pictures Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal), is an American filmmaking, film production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered at the 10 Universal Ci ...

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Jack Manning (Acord), a cowboy on a lark at the circus, admires a poster of Omar and wishes he could own the horse, the most beautiful animal he has ever seen. Omar is the ring horse of Doraldina (Deaver), the pretty bareback rider, who is being bullied by Steve Brant (Smith), owner of the circus. The unwelcome advances have kept old clown Pepo (Gravina), her father, in a state of consternation and dread. In an effort to intimidate Doraldina, Brant lashes down the horse and cruelly whips the helpless animal while his bullies hold the frantic young woman. Hearing her calls, Jack goes to her rescue and knocks out Brant. He agrees to buy the horse but only has $800, which Brant refuses, but does accept as a wager against the horse if Jack will accept his challenge to a public ring battle. The bout is advertised and the whole town pays admission to see the fight. Jack does not know that Brant is an ex-champion boxer, and is almost beaten when he is spurred on by the pleas of Doraldina to victory. Jack takes the animal home, but Brant is determined to get it back. He sends Doraldina, who is the only person the horse will follow, threatening her with expulsion if she fails to return with the big drawing card to the circus. At the same time, one of his henchmen is robbing the town's bank, leaving behind evidence that will turn suspicion on Pepo and send him to prison, getting him out of Brant's way. The plot is overheard by a young black boy who feels indebted to Jack for a previous kindness shown to him. Jack catches Doraldina in the act of stealing the horse and is sadly disappointed in her ingratitude, especially as he has grown to love her. The horse returns to the main tent when he hears the circus band play. Jack follows and sees a commotion around the courthouse, where Pepo is beset with a lynching mob. Brant and his henchmen, seeing that the boy has overheard the plot, take the loot and escape in a fast car. Jack follows on horseback, and by taking a shortcut heads off the car, which goes over an embankment, killing the occupants. Jack returns the money to the bank, and stops the mob as they are breaking down the door to get Pepo. All is well between him and Doraldina, who decides to try her hand at being a housewife.

Cast

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Circus Cyclone, The 1925 films 1920s English-language films 1925 Western (genre) films Universal Pictures films Films directed by Albert S. Rogell American black-and-white films Silent American Western (genre) films 1920s American films English-language Western (genre) films