Video Sources:

Allegro: “A Circus Day in our Town” Prelinger Archives, San Francisco (1949)

“Here Comes the Circus” by Castle Films - Prelinger Archives, San Francisco (1942)

Romanze: “Decomposed Carnival” Unknown (1960s)

Note: This film was found in the basement of a vacating business in Rochester, New York in 2004. The decomposition of the emulsion, combined with the vivid color and movements of the carnival rides, creates a beautiful film reminiscent of the work of filmmakers Peter Delpeut and Bill Morrison.

Scherzino: “Here Comes the Circus” Castle Films - National Archives (1940s-1950s)

Intermezzo: “Coney Island” (1940)

Finale: “The Carnival” Bauhaus Pictures, Portugal (2015)

All video used in this production is public domain.