The circus is in town!
Well, it was here two or three weeks ago. It's in another town now. I’ve seen the circus a few times, but not this year. Watching this movie makes me feel like I’m there watching the really fascinating people doing their death-defying feats.
This drama under the big top is the story of a clown, an elephant trainer, trapeze artists, and the man who runs The Greatest Show on Earth. The circus may have to cut its season short unless they can find a new act to draw the crowd. When the new act, Cornel Wilde as The Great Sebastian, shows up with a flourish, the women gasp and smile, but others are wary.
Charlton Heston, in his third movie, plays Brad Braden, the circus manager. Heston did a great job in his role, but as usual, James Stewart stole the show. He plays Buttons, the clown who never takes off his makeup. His skill as an actor comes through no matter what he’s wearing.
Betty Hutton plays Holly, a feisty trapeze artist with a heart for the circus – and Brad, but getting no attention from him. When The Great Sebastian takes away her hard-won center ring, she fights even harder to get it back.
Elephant trainer Angel, played by Gloria Grahame, would gladly take Holly’s place in Brad’s arms, if only Brad wanted her. But she sees a different hero in her future.
This film, directed and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, received Oscars for Best Picture and Best Writing. Golden Globes were delivered for Best Motion Picture-Drama, Best Director, and Best Cinematography-Color.
Edith Head was nominated for an Oscar for her costume designs. Other Oscar nominations were for Best Director and Best Film Editing.
The amazing thing about this movie is that the stars had to learn to do the circus acts for real. Betty Hutton and Gloria Grahame didn’t use stunt doubles. Cornel Wilde was afraid of heights, but learned the trapeze and high wire acts anyway.
Emmett Kelly and Lou Jacobs, professional clowns in real life, took on a role playing themselves. Many other circus performers are listed in the credits as playing themselves, including The Flying Concellos, The Flying Comets, and even Peterson’s Dogs.
I loved the cameos by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
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