The Big Circus

Big-Top melodrama that's rich with easy on the eye formula.

The Big Circus is directed by Joseph M. Newman and jointly written by Irwin Allen (who also produces) and Charles Bennett. It stars Victor Mature, Red Buttons, Rhonda Fleming, Kathryn Grant, Vincent Price and Peter Lorre. Plot sees Mature as Hank Whirling, the owner of The Whirling Circus, where, having seen his partner break away to form his own show, he finds he has to beg a loan off the bank to keep the Whirling show going. The bank agree to the loan but on condition that their financial whizz Randolph Sherman (Buttons) travels along with the show to keep an eye on the finances. He in turn hires publicity agent Helen Harrison (Fleming) to professionally sell the product, but both of them are not wanted by Whirling. However, there are more pressing concerns for the show, there is a saboteur at large and it seems whoever it is will stop at nothing to finish off the Circus.

Looking for a Sunday afternoon time filler full of colour, vibrancy and delightful circus sequences? Then look no further than Irwin Allen's The Big Circus, an entertaining and tidy picture that seems to have been forgotten in the wake (fall out) of The Greatest Show On Earth. Making no bones about it, Allen follows the formula of the Cecil B. DeMille behemoth pretty much all the way, only the budget is considerably smaller so it obviously isn't as gargantuan as the 1952 Best Picture Winner. Fair to say there's some overacting, notably from Mature, but the mystery element is played close to the chest, with pretty much everyone under suspicion, and the high wire/trapeze antics are joyous. Nice cast, nice film and easy to recommend to the undemanding crowd. 6.5/10

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-