Hearts and Spangles (1926)

Steve Carris, a medical student, is expelled from college, disowned by his father and joins a circus. He makes friends with Peg Palmer, and makes an enemy of Barclay, who has a yen for Peg himself. Steve works as a clown when old Harry Riley, the regular clown, is ill. Bobby, Riley's grandson, is also a pal of Steve's. After Barclay makes advances on Peg and turns the lions loose on Steve, when the circus is playing Steve's hometown, it is discovered that Bobby is the son of Steve's brother, Steve and his father are reconciled, and Steve becomes a doctor.