The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
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- Passed
- 2h 32min
- Drama, Family
- May 1952 (USA)
- Movie
The dramatic lives of trapeze artists, a clown, and an elephant trainer are told against a background of circus spectacle.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Won 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Betty Hutton | ... |
Holly
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| Cornel Wilde | ... |
The Great Sebastian
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| Charlton Heston | ... |
Brad Braden
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| Dorothy Lamour | ... |
Phyllis
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| Gloria Grahame | ... |
Angel
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| Henry Wilcoxon | ... |
FBI Agent Gregory
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| Lyle Bettger | ... |
Klaus
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| Lawrence Tierney | ... |
Mr. Henderson
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| Emmett Kelly | ... |
Emmett Kelly
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Cucciola | ... |
Cucciola
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Antoinette Concello | ... |
Antoinette Concello
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John Ringling North | ... |
John Ringling North
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Tuffy Genders | ... |
Tuffy Genders
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| John Kellogg | ... |
Harry
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| John Ridgely | ... |
Assistant Manager
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| Frank Wilcox | ... |
Circus Doctor
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| Robert Carson | ... |
Ringmaster
(as Bob Carson)
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| Lillian Albertson | ... |
Buttons' Mother
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| Julia Faye | ... |
Birdie
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| James Stewart | ... |
'Buttons' A Clown
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Lou Jacobs | ... |
Lou Jacobs
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The Alzanas | ... |
The Alzanas
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Trisco | ... |
Trisco
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The Flying Artonys | ... |
The Flying Artonys
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Lilo Juston | ... |
Lilo Juston
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The Chaludis | ... |
The Chaludis
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The Idnavis | ... |
The Idnavis
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The Realles | ... |
The Realles
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The Fredonias | ... |
The Fredonias
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Luciana & Friedel | ... |
Luciana & Friedel
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Buzzy Potts | ... |
Buzzy Potts
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Ernie Burch | ... |
Ernie Burch
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Felix Adler | ... |
Felix Adler
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Paul Jerome | ... |
Paul Jerome
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Miss Patricia | ... |
Miss Patricia
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Eddie Kohl | ... |
Eddie Kohl
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Tiebor's Sea Lions | ... |
Tibor's Sea Lions
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Mroczkowski's Liberty Horses | ... |
Mroczkowski's Liberty Horses
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The Zoppes | ... |
The Zoppes
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Bones Brown | ... |
Bones Brown
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| Fay Alexander | ... |
Fay Alexander
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The Flying Concellos | ... |
The Flying Concellos
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Lola Dobritch | ... |
Lola Dobritch
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The Hemadas | ... |
The Hemadas
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Christy and Gorilla | ... |
Christy & Gorilla
(as Christy & Gorilla)
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Tonito | ... |
Tonito
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The Bokaras | ... |
The Bokaras
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Prince Paul | ... |
Prince Paul
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Jimmy Armstrong | ... |
Jimmy Armstrong
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Paul Horompo | ... |
Paul Horompo
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Paul Jung | ... |
Paul Jung
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Charley Bell | ... |
Charley Bell
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Gilbert Reichert | ... |
Gilbert Reichert
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C.H. Lindsey | ... |
C. H. Lindsey
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Peterson's Dogs | ... |
Peterson's Dogs
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Rix's Bears | ... |
Rix's Bears
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Arthur Burson | ... |
Arthur Burson
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La Norma | ... |
La Norma
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Jeanne Sleeter | ... |
Jeanne Sleeter
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Billy Snyder | ... |
Bill Snyder
(as Bill Snyder)
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The Flying Comets | ... |
The Flying Comets
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Veronica Martell | ... |
Veronica Martell
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Miss Loni | ... |
Miss Loni
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The Romigs | ... |
The Romigs
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Rusty Parent | ... |
Rusty Parent
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The Maxellos | ... |
The Maxellos
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Martha Hunter | ... |
Martha Hunter
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Truzzi | ... |
Truzzi
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Eugene Scott | ... |
Eugene Scott
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James Barnes | ... |
James Barnes
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Merle Evans | ... |
Merle Evans
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Frank McClosky | ... |
Frank McClosky
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Mike Petrillo | ... |
Mike Petrillo
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Peter Grace | ... |
Peter Grace
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Bob Reynolds | ... |
Bob Reynolds
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George Werner | ... |
George Werner
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Lee Aaker | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Adams | ... |
Sam's Wife (uncredited)
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| Eric Alden | ... |
Canvas Man (uncredited)
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| Erville Alderson | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Stanley Andrews | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Ross Bagdasarian | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Frank Baker | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Vicki Bakken | ... |
Vicki (uncredited)
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Arthur Berkeley | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Mary Bezemes | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Gladys Blake | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Oliver Blake | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| William Boyd | ... |
Hopalong Cassidy (uncredited)
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Ralph Brooks | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Helen Brown | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Jeanne Browning | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Arthur Q. Bryan | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Donna Burke | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Bobby Burns | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Paul E. Burns | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Lonnie Burr | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Bruce Cameron | ... |
Bruce (uncredited)
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Charles Campbell | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Frances Campbell | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Malcolm Cassell | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Iphigenie Castiglioni | ... |
Iphigenie Castiglioni (uncredited)
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| Lane Chandler | ... |
Dave (uncredited)
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Nathalie J. Christian | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Ken Christy | ... |
Tightrope Act Spectator (uncredited)
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Archie D. Clark | ... |
Train Engineer (uncredited)
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Davison Clark | ... |
Farmer Sam (uncredited)
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Ronnie Clark | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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| Lydia Clarke | ... |
Circus Girl (uncredited)
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Rocky Clinton | ... |
Barker (uncredited)
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| Rus Conklin | ... |
Rus (uncredited)
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Gerald Courtemarche | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| John Crawford | ... |
Jack - Circus Attendant (uncredited)
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Dorothy Crider | ... |
Dorothy (uncredited)
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| Bing Crosby | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Bob Crosby | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Cecil B. DeMille | ... |
Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
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| Bobby Diamond | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| Lester Dorr | ... |
Midway Game Barker (uncredited)
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Gloria Drew | ... |
Ann (uncredited)
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| Jimmie Dundee | ... |
Utility Man / Stake Driver (uncredited)
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Claude Dunkin | ... |
Claude (uncredited)
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Don Dunning | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Art Dupuis | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Rosemary Dvorak | ... |
Rosemary (uncredited)
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| Daisy Earles | ... |
Midget (uncredited)
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Bonnie Kay Eddy | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Monie Ellis | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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C.L. Elslander | ... |
Father C.L. Elslander (uncredited)
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| Franklyn Farnum | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Mary Field | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Norman Field | ... |
Truesdale (uncredited)
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Elizabeth Fillman | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Bess Flowers | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Kathleen Freeman | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Mona Freeman | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Curt Furberg | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Gerry Ganzer | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Nancy Gates | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Slim Gaut | ... |
Circus Man (uncredited)
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| Everett Glass | ... |
Board Member (uncredited)
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Joseph Granby | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Greta Granstedt | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Linda Green | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Otto Griebling | ... |
Circus Performer (uncredited)
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Robert Haines | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Dolores Hall | ... |
Circus Girl (uncredited)
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| Scott H. Hall | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| William Hall | ... |
Bill (uncredited)
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John Hamer | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| Chuck Hamilton | ... |
Ambulance Driver (uncredited)
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| Peter Hansen | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Charmienne Harker | ... |
Charmienne (uncredited)
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Joe Harper | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Kathleen Hartnagel | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Helene Hatch | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Bradford Hatton | ... |
Osborne (uncredited)
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| Jimmy Hawkins | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Erin Hennessey | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Patsy Henry | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| William Henry | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Bette Hill | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Paula Hill | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Fay Holderness | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Ronny Hooker | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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| Bob Hope | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Jerry James | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Michael Jeffers | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Adele Cook Johnson | ... |
Mable (uncredited)
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| Brad Johnson | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Llorna Jordon | ... |
Lorna (uncredited)
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Frances Karath | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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| Milton Kibbee | ... |
Pickpocket Victim (uncredited)
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| Mona Knox | ... |
Mona (uncredited)
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| Fred Kohler Jr. | ... |
Train Fireman (uncredited)
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| Anne Kunde | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Ethan Laidlaw | ... |
Hank (uncredited)
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Larry Lapham | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Rudy Lee | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| Leota Lorraine | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Herbert Lytton | ... |
Foreman (uncredited)
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| George Magrill | ... |
Circus Man (uncredited)
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| Ted Mapes | ... |
Roustabout (uncredited)
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| Anthony Marsh | ... |
Tony (uncredited)
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Sydney Mason | ... |
Carson (uncredited)
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Gay McEldowney | ... |
Gay (uncredited)
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Pattie McKenzie | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Peggy McKim | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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James McNally | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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William Meader | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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David M. Mee | ... |
Little Boy (uncredited)
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Frank Meredith | ... |
Train Engineer (uncredited)
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| John Merton | ... |
Chuck (uncredited)
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| Gertrude Messinger | ... |
Gertrude (uncredited)
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| Patricia Michon | ... |
Patricia (uncredited)
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Royce Milne | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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| Ralph Montgomery | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Beverly Mook | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Lyle Moraine | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Clarence Nash | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Howard Negley | ... |
Truck Boss (uncredited)
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| Noel Neill | ... |
Noel (uncredited)
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| Richard Neill | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Ottola Nesmith | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Joel Nestler | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| David Newell | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Eric Nielsen | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Noralee Norman | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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| Judy Nugent | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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| Edmond O'Brien | ... |
Midway Barker at End (uncredited)
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Lillian O'Malley | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Susan Odin | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Sammy Ogg | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Ruth Packard | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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John Parrish | ... |
Jack Lawson (uncredited)
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| 'Snub' Pollard | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Luce Potter | ... |
Midget (uncredited)
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| Hugh Prosser | ... |
Hugh (uncredited)
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| Gilman Rankin | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Harry Raven | ... |
Circus Man (uncredited)
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John Rice | ... |
Circus Patron (uncredited)
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| Keith Richards | ... |
Keith - Circus Attendant (uncredited)
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Bruce Riley Jr. | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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William J. Riley | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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| Edwin Rochelle | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Peter Roman | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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| Angelo Rossitto | ... |
Midget (uncredited)
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Gladys Rosson | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| John Roy | ... |
Roustabout (uncredited)
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Robert E. Royal | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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William Ruhl | ... |
Circus Barker (uncredited)
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Robert W. Rushing | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Russell Saunders | ... |
Circus Man (uncredited)
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| Syd Saylor | ... |
Circus Barker (uncredited)
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Ritz Schroder | ... |
Harlequin (uncredited)
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| Queenie Smith | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Squeaky | ... |
Squeaky (uncredited)
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| Robert St. Angelo | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Mabel Stark | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Robert R. Stephenson | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Tony Taylor | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Roland Tiebor | ... |
Roland Tiebor (uncredited)
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Nina Torres | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Stuart Torres | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Arthur Tovey | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Dale Van Sickel | ... |
Man in Train Wreck (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Vernon | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Judith Ann Vroom | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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Wally Walker | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Fred Walton | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Beverly Washburn | ... |
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)
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| Joan Whitney | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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| Josephine Whittell | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Kay Wiley | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Dickie June Williams | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Robert N. Wilson | ... |
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
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| Robert Winans | ... |
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)
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Christine Wright | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Fred Zendar | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Alberto Zoppe | ... |
Alberto Zoppe - Trick Rider (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Cecil B. DeMille | ||
Written by
| Fredric M. Frank | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Barré Lyndon | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Theodore St. John | ... | (screenplay) (as Theodore St.John) |
| Fredric M. Frank | ... | (story) & |
| Theodore St. John | ... | (story) (as Theodore St.John) & |
| Frank Cavett | ... | (story) |
| Jack Gariss | ... | (additional writer) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Cecil B. DeMille | ... | producer |
| Henry Wilcoxon | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Victor Young | ... | (music score by) |
Cinematography by
| George Barnes | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Anne Bauchens | ||
Editorial Department
| Robert Brower | ... | color consultant: Technicolor |
Art Direction by
| Hal Pereira | ||
| Walter H. Tyler | ... | (as Walter Tyler) |
Set Decoration by
| Sam Comer | ||
| Ray Moyer | ||
Costume Design by
| Edith Head | ... | (costumes) |
| Dorothy Jeakins | ... | (costumes) |
| Miles White | ... | (circus costumes) |
Makeup Department
| Wally Westmore | ... | makeup supervisor |
Production Management
| Roy Burns | ... | unit manager (uncredited) |
| C. Kenneth Deland | ... | unit manager (uncredited) |
| Andrew J. Durkus | ... | unit manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Arthur Rosson | ... | unit director |
| Edward Salven | ... | assistant director |
| Frank Baur | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Bud Brill | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Daniel McCauley | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
| Walter H. Tyler | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Norman Bel Geddes | ... | designer: big top (uncredited) |
| Gene Lauritzen | ... | construction coordinator (uncredited) |
| Jack Senter | ... | assistant art director (uncredited) |
| Dwight Thompson | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| John Cope | ... | sound recordist |
| Harry Lindgren | ... | sound recordist |
Special Effects by
| Harold V. McKenzie | ... | special effects assistant (uncredited) |
| Barney Wolff | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Devereaux Jennings | ... | special photographic effects (as Devereux Jennings) |
| Gordon Jennings | ... | special photographic effects |
| Paul K. Lerpae | ... | special photographic effects (as Paul Lerpae) |
Stunts
| Norma Fox | ... | stand-in for Betty Hutton |
| Polly Burson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Russell Saunders | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Galla Shawn | ... | stunt double: Betty Hutton (uncredited) |
| Dale Van Sickel | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| W. Wallace Kelley | ... | additional photography (as Wallace Kelley) |
| J. Peverell Marley | ... | additional photography |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Joan Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| John Murray Anderson | ... | stager: circus musical and dance numbers |
| Sidney Cutner | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| George Parrish | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Leo Shuken | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Richard Barstow | ... | choreographer |
| Arthur M. Concello | ... | general manager: Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus |
| John Ringling North | ... | president: Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus / technical advisor |
| Henry Ringling North | ... | vice president: Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus |
| Pat Valdo | ... | general director of performance: Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus |
| James Vincent | ... | dialogue supervisor |
| Pat Anthony | ... | animal handler: tiger (uncredited) |
| Lynn Couch | ... | aerialist coach: Cornel Wilde (uncredited) |
| Louis Goebel | ... | head animal trainer: elephant and tiger (uncredited) |
| Gene Holter | ... | animal trainer: elephant (uncredited) |
| Frank Inn | ... | animal trainer: elephant and tiger (uncredited) |
| Juanita Inn | ... | animal trainer: elephant and tiger (uncredited) |
| Mel Koontz | ... | animal trainer: tiger (uncredited) |
| Bert Nelson | ... | animal coordinator: tiger (uncredited) |
| Barlow Simpson | ... | animal handler: elephant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1952) (United States) (theatrical) (as Paramount Pictures Corporation)
- Film AB Paramount (1952) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Paramount British Pictures (1952) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Paramount Films of India (1952) (India) (theatrical)
- Paramount-Films (1952) (Finland) (theatrical)
- AFEX (1953) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Paramount (1953) (France) (theatrical) (35 and 16 mm)
- Paramount Pictures (1954) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1955) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1960) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1967) (United States) (tv)
- Antenne 2 (A2) (1984) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1984) (Finland) (tv)
- CIC Video (1988) (United Kingdom) (video)
- Paramount Pictures (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (1992) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- CIC-Taft Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (United States) (VHS)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- PSG (2005) (Japan) (DVD)
- Tone (2005) (Japan) (DVD)
- First Trading (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
- GP Museum Soft (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
- Maxter (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2021) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Paramount Pictures (2021) (United States) (Blu-ray) (from new 4K scan)
- Paramount Channel (2023) (France) (tv)
- ARC (Japan) (DVD)
- Epoca (Argentina) (VHS)
- Pluto TV (2022) (United States) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Brooks Costume Company (circus costumes executed by)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (cranes and dollies)
- Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey (produced with the cooperation of)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground. Subplots involve the secret past of Buttons the Clown and the efforts of racketeers to move in on the game concessions. Let the show begin!
Written by Rod Crawford |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The Heartbeat Story of Circus People, Filmed with the Cooperation of Ringling Bros. - Barnum and Bailey Circus! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $4,000,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $1,689,734 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Despite his made-to-order background as a real-life circus acrobat, Burt Lancaster declined the role of The Great Sebastian, a fact Cecil B. DeMille doubly regretted when he learned that Cornel Wilde was afraid of heights. Wilde was game, however, and ended up performing many of his own stunts on the flying trapeze. See more » |
| Goofs | When Brad is checking the baby gorillas after learning they may have contracted the mumps, a crowd of onlookers is gathered right behind, plainly staring at the camera filming the scene. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Concept (1964). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Greatest Show on Earth See more » |
| Quotes |
[Phyllis is having her hair washed by Birdie as heart-throb Sebastian approaches;]
Phyllis: Why is it whenever he's around I'm all wet? Birdie: In more ways than one. See more » |