With the help of the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circuses, an all-star cast goes over the top in the big top, directed by the master, Cecil B DeMille.
James Stewart plays Buttons the clown who hides his criminal past beneath several layers of makeup, Cornel Wilde is the daredevil aerialist the Great Sebastian, and Betty Hutton is his rival in the ring and the woman who loves and loses him. Newcomer Charlton Heston is the hard-driving manager, Brad Braden.
There’s a spectacular train crash and surprise (uncredited) appearances by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
It’s a long film (two hours and 35 minutes) but it won the Best Film Oscar in 1952.
Holly
Betty Hutton The Great Sebastian
Cornel Wilde Brad Braden
Charlton Heston Phyllis
Dorothy Lamour Angel
Gloria Grahame FBI Agent Gregory
Henry Wilcoxon Klaus
Lyle Bettger Mr Henderson
Lawrence Tierney Emmett Kelly
Emmett Kelly Cucciola
Cucciola AntoinetteConcello
Antoinette Concello John Ringling North
John Ringling North Tuffy Genders
Tuffy Genders Harry
John Kellogg Assistant Manager
John Ridgely Circus Doctor
Frank Wilcox Ringmaster
Robert Carson Buttons
James Stewart Buttons’ Mother
Lillian Albertson Birdie
Julia Faye
Director Cecil B DeMille
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Holly
Angel
Emmett Kelly
Ringmaster
