A circus owner tries to keep his financially troubled circus on the road, despite the efforts of a murderous saboteur who has decided that the show must not go on.
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Wuchak
6
By Wuchak
**_The triumphs & tragedies of a big circus on tour in America in the late 50s_**
After a huge circus splits into two factions, the one led by Hank Whirling (Victor Mature) quickly apprehends financial backing, but the bank insists on a troublesome financial accountant tagging along (Red Buttons) along with a press agent (Rhonda Fleming). As the circus travels the West into Texas & Eastern states, they enjoy sold out shows, but they’re hindered by a mysterious saboteur and other challenges on the road as they seek to make it to New York City ahead of their rival.
An Irwin Allen production, "The Big Circus" (1959) is cut from the same cloth as Cecil B. DeMille’s "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952), but isn’t as good, although it’s comparable in some ways. For instance, you can’t beat Vincent Price as the ringleader, yet his role is peripheral. Victor Mature is arguably just as formidable as Charlton Heston in the lead role and Gilbert Roland is no slouch as the trapeze leader (compared to Cornel Wilde). However, the female cast isn’t as good nor the female performers, not even close, although Kathryn Grant is winsome enough.
Even the low-budget "Circus of Horrors" (1960) is more all-around entertaining, particularly for adults, but this one is effective enough if you’re in the mood for quaint family fare and appreciate circus/carnival flicks in general. My favorite is probably "Water for Elephants" (2011). "Roustabout" (1964) and "Circus of Fear" (1966), aka "Psycho-Circus," are also worth checking out.
The film runs 1 hour, 49 minutes, and was shot at MGM Studios in Culver City, SoCal.
GRADE: B-
