Arena is a 1953 3-D Western film directed by Richard Fleischer.
Rodeo rider Hob Danvers (Gig Young) comes to a Tucson, Arizona rodeo with Sylvia Lorgan (Barbara Lawrence) in tow. Hob has been separated from wife Ruth (Polly Bergen) for two years. He meets up with old friends Lew (Harry Morgan) and Meg Hutchins (Jean Hagen) and learns that Lew is here looking for work. He is shocked to find that Lew is now a clown, after many years as a rodeo rider. Lew attempts to revive his glory days, but his attempts lead to tragedy.
This film features examples of:
- Bittersweet Ending: Hob reconciles with Ruth, but Lew is dead and Sylvia is left behind.
- Fallen-on-Hard-Times Job: Hob is shocked to find that Lew is now a clown, after many years as a rodeo rider.
- Game-Breaking Injury: Lew badly injures his leg after attempting to ride a bucking bronco and being thrown badly. The injury later causes him to not get away quickly from a bull and is fatally gored.
- Glory Days: Lew is determined to revive his glory days as a rider, especially after Hob, demonstrating that he hasn't lost his edge, impresses Lew's son.
- The Missus and the Ex: Hob doesn't realize that his estranged wife Ruth intends to be at the same rodeo that he went with his current flame Sylvia until it's too late.
