Das Phantom des großen Zeltes (1954)

Mr. Rossi and Mr. Capelli own a large circus company and work closely together, which has brought them considerable success. The only area in which they are fierce rivals is their love for Dolores, the lion tamer. One day, Rossi is attacked by one of the lions as he rushes to help his ten-year-old daughter Lolita, whom everyone calls “Lilly.” Rossi is horribly disfigured in the face and is eventually presumed dead. For Capelli and Dolores, who have since become a couple, the incident marks the end of their relationship, as they each feel partly responsible for Rossi’s death. To keep Lilly from growing up without a father, Alfredo Capelli decides to adopt her and raises her as his own daughter from then on. Years have passed since those terrible events. For some time, the circus has been plagued by a series of sinister accidents that can safely be described as acts of sabotage. Before long, people are talking about a phantom carrying out its sinister deeds beneath the big circus tent. Despite the police being called in, the saboteur responsible for these events cannot be caught. The main victims are the men vying for the affections of Lolita “Lilly” Capelli, who has by now grown into a beautiful young woman and made a name for herself as an equestrienne. Soon, the atmosphere is dominated by general mistrust, fear, and mutual accusations. At last, the trail leads to the circus clown, known only by his mask. It is none other than the horribly disfigured Rossi, and now he can be stopped.