In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

No doubt the great success of The Greatest Show On Earth inspired somebody at RKO to put this together. If they had done it as originally planned in 3-D it might have sold some tickets. But in just ordinary technicolor, it's just a very trashy story with Anne Baxter trying in her blond wig and most unconvincing German accent when she bothers with it to be Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren or any of the rest of those busty blond sex objects of the 50s.Jay C. Flippen has brought his show to Germany for a fresh start and Steve Cochran is his sideshow barker. Cochran takes a look at Anne after she tries to steal his wallet and convinces Flippen to take her on to help him learn German, the better for his spiels in Germany.Lyle Bettger who does a high diving act takes Anne on as a partner and teaches her the act. That's the start of a rivalry between two of the biggest screen villains of the 50s for Baxter. Bettger marries her, but she can't resist Cochran when he wants a booty call.Great actress that she was Anne Baxter just does not convince in this one. George Nader is kind of shoehorned into the film to give her a third and decent love interest. But in the end he's not Anne's savior. You won't believe who is. This film might have been in the planning stage when Howard Hughes owned RKO. I can see Hughes saying he could do a better circus film than Cecil B. DeMille. But he sold RKO and we get this.This is one trashy movie, but there are those of us out there who love trashy movies.

A "carnival" in British English is a procession through the streets accompanied by singing, dancing, eating, drinking, general merrymaking and dressing up in flamboyant costumes; London's famous Notting Hill Carnival is a good example. This film, however, is about a "carnival" in the American sense, that of a travelling funfair or circus. It is unusual in that it was produced by a major American studio (RKO Radio Pictures) with American actors but made in Germany by a director (Kurt Neumann) who was also making a German language version of the same story using German actors. It was originally intended to make the film as a 3D feature, but this plan was dropped, probably when the 3D craze ended as abruptly as it had begun. The "carnival" in question is an American travelling circus, touring Europe because there is too much competition in the States, which arrives in Munich. (You can tell that it's Munich because the local cathedral features in a number of shots, although the famous domes atop its twin towers seem to have been missing in 1954; possibly they had been damaged in the war). A local girl named Willie joins the show and is offered a job as assistant to Frank Collini, the high-dive artist. Exactly how Willie got her masculine-sounding name is never precisely explained, although it is always pronounced in the English way. When someone tries to germanicise it to "Villi" she corrects him. Frank trains Willie to become part of his act, which involves diving into a flaming tank of water from a great height. (I suspect that this detail was probably inserted to allow as many shots as possible of the lovely Anne Baxter in a swimsuit). The story is a melodrama based upon a love-triangle. Frank falls deeply in love with Willie, but she only has eyes for the handsome Joe Hammond, another carnival employee, even though Frank is decent and kind-hearted whereas Joe is an arrogant swine (or, in American usage, a "heel") who treats her badly. The film explores the complications arising from this triangle, including jealousy, theft, violence and a suspicious death. There is nothing particularly distinguished about "Carnival Story". Unusually for a crime drama from the fifties it was shot in colour, but the colours are rather dull and muddy. None of the acting contributions really stand out; at her best, as in "All about Eve", Anne Baxter could be a brilliant actress, but this is not one of her better films. The plot is little more than a standard melodrama, with the circus background and the German setting adding a touch of exoticism, at least for American audiences. It was obviously made on a relatively small budget and therefore lacks the spectacle of something like "The Greatest Show on Earth", Cecil B. DeMille's circus extravaganza from two years earlier. Neumann gets enough out of his cast to make the film watchable, but is perhaps not difficult to understand why it has faded into obscurity in the sixty years since it was made. 6/10

Unpretentious describes this film production fairly well. But that's consistent with the setting: a small, insular world, wherein a variety of atypical and colorful people move in and out of scenes, as the plot dictates. These people, for the most part, are tricksters and hangers-on whose only claim to fame relates to some physical trait, or some bizarre gift or craft.More talented than most is Frank (Lyle Bettger) who high dives into a burning tank of water. Then there's Joe (Steve Cochran), an announcer who tries to convince attendees to part with a few cents, to see the magic of the headless wonder, or some such. But one of Joe's attendees, a young, attractive woman named Willie (Anne Baxter), follows Joe to a snack stand, whereupon she proceeds to swipe Joe's wallet from his back pocket. With his money, she buys some food. But he catches her. And in so doing, he takes a liking to her. She's destitute, you see, and shapely. And she'll do anything to make some money, even if it's just wash dishes in the carnival's kitchen.That's the setup for this modest melodrama, wherein Willie learns about life in the circus and, in the process, finds that love can be confusing with so many guys attracted to her. At one point, she concedes hopelessly: "I don't know what love is". Will things work out for Willie? Will she find true, lasting love?"Carnival Story" is largely a cinematic vehicle for Anne Baxter. I've always liked her. But in this film she overacts a lot. Steve Cochran gives a more relaxed, naturalistic performance, as does Lyle Bettger. Tension derives from Frank's high-dive act, and the rivalry among the various guys drawn to Willie. The film's visuals are acceptable, if unremarkable. Sets seem realistic. Toward the end, the plot trends melodramatically hokey.A prospective viewer needs to keep expectations reasonably low for this film. It's got melodrama and tension. It's got several fine actors. It's got an unusual setting. And that may be enough, for this small, low-concept story.

A young girl (Anne Baxter) runs away and joins a traveling carnival troupe in Colonia (Germany), an American-owned circus in all its beautiful and sadness in the setting . She falls in love with her employer (Steve Cochran) and is hired by the ringmaster (J.C. Flippen). Later on , she is contracted by a somersault artist (Lyle Bettger), who teaches her the leap routine and soon becomes the main attraction but he has a fatal accident . Anne Baxter as an aerial acrobat dropping to swimming pool is interested in both men.The film is a melodramatic and romantic tale with the classic triangular love story through an European tour and meshing drama with events offstage . It deals with an U.S. carnival in Colonia sets the scene for sin , sex , passion and melodrama . The movie is wrought with romance and glamour but is a simple and tragic story about a scheming young girl and the men of whom she takes advantage . This dramatic flick packs an exciting final adding the beauty-beast myth . Extraordinary cast and good performances , especially from Anne Baxter and George Nader as a journalist , both of whom are top-notch under Kurt Neumann's correct direction . Furthermore , some scenes the actors perform their own stunts . After that , George Nader stayed in Germany where had success playing Jerry Cotton , a solid entry in German crime series . Fine camera work with exquisite images in Agfacolor and superb European location by cameraman Ernest Haller . The motion picture was well directed by Kurt Neumann , known director of classic Sci-Fi (The fly , Rocketship X-M , Kronos) , besides he realized at the same time the German version titled ¨Circus of love¨ with Curt Jurgens and Eva Bartok in similar roles .