The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)

VHS CASE/SIDE

MPPA Certifcate Number: 15440

Length of film:  152 Minutes

Rated: Passed

Genre: Drama, Family, Romance

Director: Cecil B. DeMille

Starring: James Stewart, Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton, Conel Wilde, Dorothy Lamour, Gloria Grahame

IMDB Rank: 6.6/10

*** First released with two intermissions, both intermission title screens have been lost. The VHS version of the film comes in a two tape set with the breaking point at 114 minutes, but comes at an awkward screen transition.

Part 1 Time:  88 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  64 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Holly (Betty Hutton) cries as she is embraced by Brad Braden (Charlton Heston).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “But I didn’t want it like this, not over his broken body.” Holly speaks out loud.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Under the big tap only two days come” Cecil B. DeMille narrates.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, The Great Sebstain (Conel Wilde) the star trapeze artist of the circus has fallen without landing onto a safety net. He has been rushed to hospital. How will his absence impact the circus moving forward?

Which part is better? The first half of the film focuses primarily on the spectacle of Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey Circus acts, its daily operations, and the drama that unfolds among the entertainers. The second half of the film shows the resiliency of the circus as the crew works through various setbacks. Although the circus acts were top of the line during the production of the film, many of the acts today would not bring forth the same excitement. For this reason part two is given a slight edge as it mixes both circus acts and fictional drama together.

Academy Awards: 1953- Best Picture (1953), Best Writing-Motion Picture Story, Best Director (Nominated), Best Costume Design-Colour (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated)