The Big Top featured American and foreign circus acts, many of which travelled from Europe to appear on the show.
The series – sponsored by Sealtest Dairy – initially aired for six months on the CBS prime-time schedule before being moved to Saturday mornings, where it continued for the next seven years. It was filmed in Camden, New Jersey, the winter home of many travelling circuses.
Jack Sterling was the ringmaster, Bob Russell was the barker; Ed McMahon and Chris Keegan were clowns, and Barbera Cubberly was the beautiful “Majorette.”
Ed McMahon was then relatively unknown and working for CBS’s Philadelphia radio affiliate, WCAU, writing, producing and hosting as many as 13 shows at once.
Producer Charles Vanda had hoped to offer McMahon the role of ringmaster on the show but CBS insisted on Sterling.
McMahon, instead, became the principal clown – a more popular and appealing character.
The show had an unusual way of handling the opening and closing credits: they were painted on the back of the circus strongman – also known as “Sealtest Dan The Muscle Man” – played by bodybuilder Dan Lurie.
Ringmaster
Jack Sterling Clowns
Ed McMahon
Chris Keegan Regular performers
Sealtest Dan the Muscle Man (Dan Lurie)
Barbera Cubberly
Joe Basile and his Band
Lott and Joe Anders
La Paloma
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Jack Sterling was the ringmaster, Bob Russell was the barker; Ed McMahon and Chris Keegan were clowns, and Barbera Cubberly was the beautiful “Majorette.”
McMahon, instead, became the principal clown – a more popular and appealing character.
