With so much attention currently being paid to The Greatest Showman I have selected another circus film for my ‘Oldies but Goodies’ post this week. The 1952 film, The Greatest Show on Earth, was based on the famous railroad circuses of the day and went on to win the Academy’s Best Picture award for that year. Directed by the famous Cecil B DeMille and starring Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde and Jimmy Stewart, this movie takes us behind the scenes of the famous Ringling Brothers – Barnum and Bailey Circus.
What makes this movie so fascinating is that when you review the cast list it becomes apparent that most of the circus characters were true circus performers. The story focuses on the circus manager, Heston, trying to keep the circus financially viable. To do so he has to employ an arrogant and womanising trapeze artist, Wilde, to be his star attraction. This impacts the manager’s girlfriend, Hutton, who thought she would be the central trapeze artist as she is relegated to a lesser role.
As the story progresses it becomes apparent that Heston cares more for the circus than his girlfriend. Hutton feels neglected and starts falling for Wilde’s character but still wants the top billing so they both try more daring performances to prove there skill. Eventually Wilde has an accident that prevents him from continuing to perform. There are a whole lot of side stories revolving around who has romantic feelings about who and also there is the mysterious clown, Buttons (Jimmy Stewart), who never takes off his makeup.
The climax of the film is a spectacular train crash that cripples the circus, brings out everyone’s true feelings for each other and uncovers a couple of mysteries. The true spirit of ‘the show must go on’ brings the movie to its close.
Stephen Spielberg tells that this was the first movie he ever saw and influenced his desire to make movies. Those who have seen his film ‘Super 8’ will recognise the influence of the train crash from this movie transferred to his. The love of circuses continued on TV as remember growing up watching Bozo the Clown.
I really enjoyed this movie and while I never was adventurous enough to ever consider running away to the circus it gave me a greater appreciation for how exciting the circus was
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