Spangles (1926) User Reviews (3)

Good Atmosphere, But Rote Story

[boblipton · 5/10 · 16 July 2022]

Bareback rider Marian Nixon is engaged to circus owner Hobart Bosworth, even though, as lion tamer Gladys Brockwell notes jealously, she doesn't love him. But one evening, the police stop the circus train, looking for Pat O'Malley. He's wanted for murder. When he enters Miss Nixon's car and explains he didn't do it, she believes him. She gives him her wedding ring to pawn for getaway money. Of course, he shows up the next day, looking for a job.

There's quite a lot of circus atmosphere, with human skeletons, elephants, llamas and the obligatory big cats and hey rube! Attitude among the circus folks. Miss Nixon looks as cute as a button, but her character is a feckless moron. That's supposed to be Walter Brennan at the lunch counter, but the distance from the camera and the quality of the image prevented me from certainty. Chimpanzee Joe Martin is also credited, and I don't believe it, since he died in 1923.

Interesting and worth seeing, but aside from the locale, it's not particularly special.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 15 April 2010]

This is a moderately interesting film---mostly because it's set at a circus and it's pretty exciting to see this atmosphere. However, the story seemed a bit hard to believe and contrived. As a result, it's well worth seeing for die-hard silent movie fans like me, but probably one less experienced viewers can skip.

The film begins with 'Spangles' (Marion Nixon) being the most beautiful and sought-after woman in the circus. The boss is head over heels with her and when a wanted man wanders onto the circus train, he, too, instantly falls for her. This was a bit tough to believe, but what was a lot harder to accept was the interaction between Spangles and the wanted man. For no reason whatsoever, Spangles agrees to hide this man from the law--and the only assurance she has that he's NOT a murderer is his word! Thank goodness criminals never lie about things like this and sweet Spangles can be assured he's not guilty!!! I would have LOVED it if he'd turned out to actually be a killer, but this cliché necessitates that he really is innocent.

Eventually, however, after the innocent runaway man is discovered, the boss wants to turn him in--after all, he AND this wanted man are in love with her and turning him in will get this rival out of the way. Once thing I do have to say very positive about the film is that where exactly it goes next was a bit of a surprise.

Overall, the film is decent enough. The acting, direction and production are pretty good--even if the story is a bit far-fetched and clichéd.

Now Available On DVD

[cfscfs · 10/10 · 21 April 2009]

Happy to report this movie is out on DVD. Definitely not restored, but overall in pretty good condition. It has one of the strangest musical accompaniments I've heard, but is certainly worth seeing. It appears to have the original title cards. Many interesting scenes involving the circus - particular one "rebel" elephant. Numerous location shots with a sizable number of extras. The plot: three men want to possess Spangles - a bareback horse rider - but only one succeeds. I've heard of the star, Marian Nixon, but had never seen one of her movies. Note, the movie runs 77 minutes, which is longer than the 58 minutes shown on IMDb.