The Circus (1928)

by Charles Chaplin
Music by Charles Chaplin 1967/1968 - released in 1970
Associate Arrangers Eric James, Lambert Williamson
Song, “Swing High Little Girl” composed and sung by Charles Chaplin.
Score restored for live orchestral screenings by Timothy Brock in 2003

Synopsis

The Little Tramp is hired by a circus and soon becomes the main attraction when his comedic blunders drive the crowd wild. Having fallen in love with the ringmaster’s daughter, he doesn’t even realize he’s the show’s main feature. In this high-flying comedy, we are quickly caught up in Chaplin’s whirlwind of gags, where even the acrobats and clowns watch his show-stopping stunts from the sidelines.

Technical Specifications

• 35 mm and digital formats available
• Screening time: 71 minutes
• Projection speed for 35 mm: 24 frames per second. Academy aperture (normal non amorphic lens), 1.1:33 on 1.1:66 widescreen matt (Normal 35mm sound print, used for these performances with the sound turned off after the opening credits.)
• Leave sound on for Chaplin’s song over the credits, then turn sound off. Orchestra starts immediately after the song.
• State of the art projector essential

Instrumentation

• Piccolo
• Flute
• Oboe
• Alto sax I (dbl. clarinet I)
• Alto sax II (dbl. clarinet II)
• Tenor sax (dbl. clarinet III)

• Bassoon

• Horn
• 2 Trumpets

• 2 Trombones

• Percussion (2 players)
• Guitar (dbl Mandolin)
• Piano
• Strings: 8.6.6.4.2 (min: 6.4.4.2.1)
• List of Percussion: Timpani – Snare drum - Bass drum - Large cymbals - Suspended cymbal - Choke cymbal - Wood Blocks – Glockenspiel - Xylophone - Vibraphone

Trailer of The Circus

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Listen to the Music

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• How To Make Movies
• A Dog's Life
• Shoulder Arms
• Sunnyside
• A Day's Pleasure
• The Kid
• The Idle Class
• Pay Day
• The Pilgrim
• A Woman Of Paris
• The Gold Rush
• The Circus
• City Lights
• Modern Times
• The Great Dictator
• With A Smile