CIRCUS MOVIES / COMEDY and DRAMA

• 3 Ring Circus (1954)
  Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. Two friends with no money looking for some job, Jerry becomes a clown. AKA "Le Clown est Roi"
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0047582
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• At The Circus (1939)
  Marx Brothers rescue a circus.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0031060
  Available on DVD, as part of a double feature, from Amazon.
  
  
• Barnum! (1986)
  Michael Crawford's musical biography of Phineas Taylor's career and loves 1835-1881, film version of the theatrical production. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090702
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Big Circus (1959)
  Irwin Allen with Red Buttons. Manager keeps a financially troubled circus on the road despite a saboteur.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0052626
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Big Top Pee-Wee (1988)
  With Paul Reubens, Penelope Ann Miller, Kris Kristofferson, more. A circus lands on Pee-Wee's farm brought by a tornado, annoying the stodgy townsfolk.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0094744
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Carnival Story (1954)
  With Anne Baxter and Steve Cochran. A trapeze act is torn apart by jealousy.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0046829
  Available as cheap downloaded from EZ-Takes.
  
  
• The Circus (1928)
  Charlie Chaplin. The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0018773
  Available as free download in BitTorrent format from Public Domain Torrents.
  
  
• Circus Boy (1956)
  TV series (1956-1958) starring young Micky Dolenz as a baby elephant's water boy, participating behind-the-scenes in a circus.
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048855
  Available on YouTube in parts 1 (0:44), 2 (7:34), 3 (9:29), 4 (7:39).
  
  
• The Circus Clown (1934)
  Joe E. Brown plays himself, a hopeful trapeze artist, as well as his disapproving father.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0024981
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Circus Girl (1937)
  Betty Compson, Robert Livingston, June Travis, Donald Cook. High wire performers vie for one woman with disastrous results.
  http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0028719
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Circus Kid (1928)
  Frankie Darro, Poodles Hanneford, Joe E. Brown, Helene Costello, Sam Nelson, Lionel Belmore, more. Darro as a runaway orphan joins the circus; cliche characters but some quality acts. Silent film?
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018771
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Circus World (1964)
  John Wayne, Claudia Cardinale, Rita Hayworth. John fights disaster and sabotage to rebuild his circus, and reunites his foster daughter with her long absent trapeze artist mother.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0057952
  Available on DVD, as import, from Amazon.
  
  
• Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)
  While on vacation with wife and twelve children, famed detective Chan (Warner Oland) becomes involved in the murder of one of the circus owners, then travels with the circus to solve the crime.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0027439/
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Clowns (1971)
  Federico Fellini. Originally a documentary for Italian TV, reviewed as a brilliant work examining the nobility and pathos of the human spirit.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0066922
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Great Wallendas (1978)
  With Casey Biggs, Lloyd Bridges, Lucinda Bridges, Britt Ekland, more. TV movie biography covering the tragic events of a great high-wire family act.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0077635
  Available on VHS from Amazon.
  
  
• The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)
  Cecil B. DeMille production with Betty Hutton, Charlton Heston, Cornel Wilde, Dorothy Lamour, James Stewart, more. Massive and long Oscar winning story about love, crime, and disaster under the big top. Used the actual Ringling Brothers Circus and many real clowns.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0044672
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Greatest Show On Earth (1963-1964)
  "Drama Under The Big Top", a Desilu Productions TV series starring Jack Palance, played on ABC primetime.
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056762
  Availability unknown.
  
  
• Man On A Tightrope (1953)
  Fredric March, Terry Moore, Gloria Grahame, more. Story of a small circus' daring escaped from communist Czechoslovakia.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0046040
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Roustabout (1964)
  Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Freeman, Leif Erickson, more. Elvis is a biker, gets a job with a carnival, learns family values.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0058534
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• La Strada (1954)
  Federico Fellini with Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart, more. A carefree girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain. Barely circus related.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0047528
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960)
  Disney with Kevin Corcoran, Henry Calvin, Gene Sheldon, more. Runaway joins the circus and makes new friends, including a chimp and a dishonest boss.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0054390
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Trapeze (1956)
  Award winning drama with Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Gina Lollobrigida. Mike Ribble (Burt) was once the only one to have completed a triple somersault - before his accident.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0049875
  Available on DVD, as import, from Amazon.
  
  
• Under the Big Top (1938)
  Young trapeze artist is pushed by her domineering mother. Director Karl Brown.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0030911
  Available as free download in BitTorrent format from Public Domain Torrents.
  
  
• When The Circus Comes to Town (1981)
  Elizabeth Montgomery, Christopher Plummer, Eileen Brennan, more. Quiet TV movie about a woman nearing middle age, bored with a sheltered life, suddenly leaves home and join a circus.
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083323
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  

CIRCUS MOVIES / DOCUMENTARIES and BIOS

• Big Cats of the Big Top (1987)
  Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey video documentary with acts.
  Family Home Entertainment
  Available on VHS at some libraries.
  
  
• Circus! 200 Years of Circus in America (1995)
  Jack Perkins hosts an ambitious historical documentary.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0321708
  Not found for sale anywhere. Found on VHS at major public libraries, published by A&E.
  
  
• Great Performances "Clown Prince" (2004)
  TV series, season 33, Episode 2, December 15th 2004. Documentary of the career of Bill Irwin.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0774068
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Inside The Soviet Circus (1989)
  National Geographic documentary behind the scenes at Moscow's Circus School.
  http://shopngvideos.com/products/TheSovietCircus
  Available on DVD from National Geographic.
  
  
• International Showtime (1961)
  TV series covering European circuses hosted by Don Ameche. A.K.A. Rings Around the World (1967).
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0054549
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• P.T. Barnum (1999)
  Beau Bridges starts in an excellent and lengthy biography from childhood to death, which actually includes very little circus.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0209720
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Regard of Flight (1983)
  MacArthur Foundation Genius Awards winner Bill Irwin explores "The New Theatre" in a minimalist stage performance including a pianist and critic.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0134050
  Not found for sale anywhere. Available on VHS at some major libraries.
  
  
• Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College: 20th Anniversary Special (1988)
  Broadcast on CBS on February 17th 1988, hosted by Dick Van Dyke.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Brothers_and_Barnum_&_Bailey_Clown_College
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Ringling Brothers Kings of the Circus (2000)
  Story of the rise of the five siblings from Wisconsin.
  http://answers.com/topic/ringling-brothers-kings-of-the-circus
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Spike Jones Story (1988)
  Documentary featuring archival films, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, friends, family and band members.
  http://storyvillejazzdvd.com
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Super Circus (1952)
  Emmy nominated children's TV series starring Claude Kirshner as ringmaster, Mary Hartline as bandleader, and several clowns. Filmed in Chicago.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0041060
  Available from Movies Unlimited.
  
  
• Under the Big Top (2001)
  A&E Documentary backstage at major circuses.
  http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=74998
  Available on DVD from A&E.
  
  

CIRCUS MOVIES / ANIMATED and KIDS

• A Day at the Circus (1968)
  Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Season 1, Episode 75. Fred visits a circus, and learns some things from clowns.
  http://pbskids.org/rogers
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force, "Circus" (2002)
  Season 1, Episode 12. Master Shake sells Meatwad to the Circus.
  http://adultswim.com/shows/athf
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force, "The Clowning" (2003)
  Season 2, Episode 38. Karl is infected by a space clown wig virus.
  http://adultswim.com/shows/athf
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Circus Capers (1930)
  Early Van Beuren animated short.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0020767
  Available as free download in BitTorrent format from Public Domain Torrents.
  
  
• Dumbo (1941)
  Disney classic, about a flying baby elephant.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0033563
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Kukla, Frank and Ollie: Circus episode (1970)
  Includes songs "Be a Clown, Be a Clown" and "Big Top".
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1088463
  Available on VHS at some libraries.
  
  
• On the Road With Circus Kids - Nick News Special Edition (2004)
  Linda Ellerbee visits the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus and spends time with kids who live and perform in the show. Originally aired 2004.07.25. Linda Ellerbee visits the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus and spends time with kids who live and perform in the show. Originally aired 2004.07.25.
  http://nick.com
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• Simpsons, "Homie The Clown" (1995)
  Season 6, Episode 15. Homer goes to Krusty's new clown college.
  http://thesimpsons.com
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Simpsons, "Skinner's Sense of Snow" (2002)
  Season 12, Episode 8, December 17th 2002. Contains parody "Cirque du Puree".
  http://thesimpsons.com
  Not found for sale anywhere.
  
  
• South Park, "Contorting Quintuplets 2000" (2000)
  Season 4, Episode 3 (#52), April 26th 2000. Contains parody "Cirque du Cheville".
  http://comedycentral.com
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Tick, "Tick vs Proto Clown" (1995)
  Season 1, Episode 12. The Tick battles a primal superclown.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0813122
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  

CIRCUS MOVIES / CREEPY and HORROR

• Carnivale (2003)
  TV series with Michael J. Anderson, Clancy Brown, Tim DeKay, Nick Stahl, Adrienne Barbeau, more. A fugitive finds refuge with a traveling carnival comprised of numerous intriguing characters, set in mid 1930s.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0319969
  Series (2 seasons of 12 episodes each) available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• The Clown (1953)
  Red Skelton plays a failed Ziegfeld star.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0044503
  Available on VHS from Amazon.
  
  
• Freaks (1932)
  Tod Browning extraordinary dark tale of betrayal in a circus sideshow stars all actual freaks.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0022913
  Available as free download in BitTorrent format using MiniNova.
  
  
• Freaky Circus Guy (2005)
  Documentary about sideshow revivalist Ken Harck with William Darke, Katzen, Enigma, Slymenstra Hymen.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0838261
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• It (1990)
  Stephen King horror with Tim Curry as a nightmare clown, Harry Anderson, Tim Reid, John Ritter, more.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0099864
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
  Cult classic. Grotesque exaggerated clowns wreak mayhem and murder.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0095444
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928)
  Lon Chaney in a Pagliacci reinterpretation.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0019074
  Available on DVD, in a collected works set, from Amazon.
  
  
• Shakes The Clown (1992)
  Bobcat Goldthwait, Julie Brown, Adam Sandler, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin, more. A troubled clown framed for murder finds the real killer and rescues his girl. A fairly brilliant comedy.
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0102898
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  
• She Freak (1967)
  Director Byron Mabe, starring Claire Brennen. Newer derivative of the 1932 classic "Freaks". A.K.A. Asylum of the Insane; Freaks!
  http://imdb.com/title/tt0062259
  Available on DVD from Amazon.
  
  

CIRCUS MOVIES / CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

1. A Baroque Odyssey - 1994
2. Alegría - 1998
3. Corteo - 2006
4. Dralion - 2000
5. Fire Within - 2002
6. Journey of Man - 2000
7. KÀ Extreme (making of) - 2005
8. La Magie Continue - 1986
9. La Nouba - 2003
10. Le Cirque Réinventé - 1992
11. Lovesick (Zoomanity, making of) - 2006
12. Midnight Sun - 2004
13. Nouvelle Experience - 1991
14. Quidam - 1999
15. Saltimbanco - 1997
16. Solstrom - 2003
17. Varekai - 2003

1. 1986 - La Magie Continue
2. 1991 - Nouvelle Experience
3. 1992 - Le Cirque Réinventé
4. 1994 - A Baroque Odyssey
5. 1997 - Saltimbanco
6. 1998 - Alegría
7. 1999 - Quidam
8. 2000 - Dralion
9. 2000 - Journey of Man
10. 2002 - Fire Within
11. 2003 - La Nouba
12. 2003 - Solstrom
13. 2003 - Varekai
14. 2004 - Midnight Sun
15. 2005 - KÀ Extreme (making of)
16. 2006 - Corteo
17. 2006 - Lovesick (Zoomanity, making of)

• Nouvelle Experience - an early show
• Midnight Sun - twentieth anniversary show, with 150+ performers and 100+ musicians.
• La Magie Continue - an early show
• We Reinvent the Circus - an early show
• A Baroque Odyssey - ten year retrospective documentary

CIRCUS MOVIES / YOUTUBE

• ABC, "Super Circus" (1954)
  Hit early TV series (1949-56), filmed first six years in Chicago. With Mary Hartline & Claude Kirchner. 29:14
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Astroboy, "Robot Circus" (1982)
  Second episode in series, tells the origin of AstroBoy. Nippon Television Network Corp. 3x07:53+3=23:42
  Available on YouTube in parts 1, 2, 3.
  
  
• Barney, "Super Singing Circus" (2000)
  First in a series of several Circus themed episodes with the big purple dinosaur. Barney and kids put on a show. 9:18
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Boswick, "Here Comes The Clown" (2007)
  Promotional video with hillaruious short skit of endlessly pouring milk on cereal.
  http://www.herecomestheclown.com
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Carl Ballantine, "The Great Ballantine" (1987)
  Famed aging comedy magician appearing on The Cosby Show, "The Show Must Go On", 1987.12.17 season 4 episode 87. 2:19
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Creature Comforts, "The Circus" (2003)
  Claymation animated circus animals talk about their experiences of performing. By Nick Park, from the UK. 9:20
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0324742
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Dick Van Dyke, "The Art of Slapstick" (1961)
  Dick lectures intellectually on the decline of slapstick, while performing it uproariously. 3:36
  Also available, excellent >drunk immitation. 2:36
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Ernie Kovacs, "Nairobi Trio" (1960)
  Bordering on performance art, three music box costumed gorrilas play a simple tune, with a "slow burn" gag. An early TV pioneer. 2:48
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Josh Routh, "Jadoo" (2007)
  High energy silent clown magic show by circus family descendant.
  http://www.circuskaput.com
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse, "At The Circus" (1916)
  From the dawn of animation. 3:02
  http://www.ignatzmouse.net
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Michael Moschen
  Famed juggler/manipulator and 1990 MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" Fellow.
  http://www.michaelmoschen.comM.
  Examples available on YouTube: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
  
  
• Mickey Mouse Club, "Here Comes the Circus!" (1956)
  Short version of the 1956-57 opening for "Circus Day" Thursdays. 1:35
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• MST3K "Circus on Ice" (1954)
  Present in Mystery Science Theare 3000 (MST3K), 1993./01.09 season 4 episode 21, as a short preceding "Monster A Go Go". 8:56
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289122
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• MST3K, "Here Comes the Circus" (1946)
  Featuring Emmett Kelly, Clyde Beatty, Betty Rich, more. 9:35
  Present in Mystery Science Theare 3000 (MST3K), 1993.01.16 season 4 episode 22, as a short preceding "The Day The Earth Froze".
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279858
  Available on YouTube.
  
  
• Richard Renner, "Slapstick Circus" (2007)
  Excerpts from a one man show featuring silent akits by a quality clown. 10:37
  Available on YouTube.