The Circus is
probably Charlie Chaplin’s best pure comedy feature. It doesn’t have the same
dramatic level as his earlier The Kid or
his follow-up City Lights. It’s no
wonder this is the only Chaplin film that won any significant Academy Award
(notwithstanding the fact that 1928 was the first year the Oscars were
bestowed). The Academy removed his film from consideration as a nominee in four
major categories and decided instead to award him an Honorary Oscar for
producing, directing, writing and acting The
Circus. It’s a film that perfectly sums up the Tramp as a character.
