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Let's Go to a Circus or Carnival

by horn-5 • Created 11 years ago • Modified 11 years ago
Films that have a circus or carnival (the side-show kind and not a fiesta-festival) and/or a wild west show or an aerial show as the primary setting.

http://www.imdb.com/list/Ne_LMu8TCpk/

Smell the sawdust and popcorn at the one you choose to attend.
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  • 35 titles
  • Rita Hayworth, John Wayne, Claudia Cardinale, and John Smith in Circus World (1964)

    1. Circus World

    19642h 15mApproved
    6.1 (3.2K)
    When circus proprietor Matt Masters decides to take his show on a European tour, it is beset by problems, while he searches for Lili, the mother of his adopted daughter, who disappeared years before.
    DirectorHenry HathawayStarsJohn WayneRita HayworthClaudia Cardinale
  • Doris Day, Stephen Boyd, Jimmy Durante, and Martha Raye in Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)

    2. Billy Rose's Jumbo

    19622h 3mG
    6.1 (1.8K)
    A debt-ridden circus is saved by a well-meaning but inept publicity man.
    DirectorCharles WaltersStarsDoris DayJimmy DuranteStephen Boyd
  • Trapeze (1956)

    3. Trapeze

    19561h 45mApproved
    6.8 (5.6K)
    A crippled circus acrobat is torn emotionally between two ambitious young trapeze artists, one a talented young American and a less-gifted but beautiful Italian.
    DirectorCarol ReedStarsBurt LancasterTony CurtisGina Lollobrigida
  • Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Gloria Grahame, Betty Hutton, Dorothy Lamour, and Cornel Wilde in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

    4. The Greatest Show on Earth

    19522h 32mApproved76Metascore
    6.5 (17K)
    The dramatic lives of trapeze artists, a clown, and an elephant trainer are told against a background of circus spectacle.
    DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsJames StewartCharlton HestonBetty Hutton
  • Mel Blanc, Edward Brophy, Cliff Edwards, Verna Felton, Noreen Gammill, Dorothy Scott, Sarah Selby, and Margaret Wright in Dumbo (1941)

    5. Dumbo

    19411h 4mG96Metascore
    7.2 (148K)
    Ridiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.
    DirectorsSamuel ArmstrongNorman FergusonWilfred JacksonStarsSterling HollowayEdward BrophyJames Baskett
  • Charles Chaplin in The Circus (1928)

    6. The Circus

    19281h 12mG90Metascore
    8.1 (38K)
    The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.
    DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMerna KennedyAl Ernest Garcia
  • Groucho Marx, Eve Arden, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx in At the Circus (1939)

    7. At the Circus

    19391h 27mApproved
    6.8 (6.6K)
    The Marx Brothers try to help the owner of a circus recover some stolen funds before he finds himself out of a job.
    DirectorEdward BuzzellStarsGroucho MarxChico MarxHarpo Marx
  • Shirley Deane, Charles Gemora, John McGuire, and Warner Oland in Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936)

    8. Charlie Chan at the Circus

    19361h 12mApproved
    6.8 (1.9K)
    While visiting the circus with his family, Charlie is recruited by the big top's co-owner to investigate threatening letters that he's received.
    DirectorHarry LachmanStarsWarner OlandKeye LukeGeorge Brasno
  • Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles, and Henry Victor in Freaks (1932)

    9. Freaks

    19321h 4mNot Rated80Metascore
    7.8 (53K)
    A circus' beautiful trapeze artist Cleopatra agrees to marry Hans the leader of side-show performers, but Hans' deformed friends discover that she is only marrying him for his inheritance. So they seek revenge.
    DirectorTod BrowningStarsWallace FordLeila HyamsOlga Baclanova
  • Red Buttons, Victor Mature, Kathryn Grant, David Nelson, and Gilbert Roland in The Big Circus (1959)

    10. The Big Circus

    19591h 49mApproved
    6.2 (890)
    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.
    DirectorJoseph M. NewmanStarsVictor MatureRed ButtonsRhonda Fleming
  • Tyrone Power, Joan Blondell, Coleen Gray, and Helen Walker in Nightmare Alley (1947)

    11. Nightmare Alley

    19471h 50mApproved75Metascore
    7.7 (14K)
    The rise and fall of Stanton Carlisle, a mentalist whose lies and deceit prove to be his downfall.
    DirectorEdmund GouldingStarsTyrone PowerJoan BlondellColeen Gray
  • W.C. Fields in Poppy (1936)

    12. Poppy

    19361h 13mApproved
    6.7 (779)
    Carny con artist and snake-oil salesman Eustace McGargle tries to stay one step ahead of the sheriff but is completely devoted to his beloved daughter Poppy.
    DirectorA. Edward SutherlandStarsW.C. FieldsRochelle HudsonRichard Cromwell
  • Sally of the Sawdust (1925)

    13. Sally of the Sawdust

    19251h 44mNot Rated
    6.6 (621)
    Judge Foster throws his daughter out because she married a circus man. She leaves her baby girl with Prof. McGargle before she dies. Years later Sally is a dancer with whom Peyton, a son of Judge Foster's friend, falls in love. When Sally is arrested McGargle proves her real parentage.
    DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsCarol DempsterW.C. FieldsAlfred Lunt
  • Bruce Bennett, Carole Landis, Charles Quigley, and David Sharpe in Daredevils of the Red Circle (1939)

    14. Daredevils of the Red Circle

    19393h 31mApproved
    7.2 (271)
    Using a diabolical disguise, Harry Crowel embarks on a vengeful career of destruction...opposed by three heroic daredevils.
    DirectorsJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsCharles QuigleyBruce BennettDavid Sharpe
  • Marian Carr and Mickey Spillane in Ring of Fear (1954)

    15. Ring of Fear

    19541h 33mApproved
    5.0 (419)
    The Clyde Beatty Circus seems jinxed, falling victim again and again to apparent accidents which are actually the acts of a murderous saboteur. Mystery writer Mickey Spillane comes on the scene to solve the case.
    DirectorsJames Edward GrantWilliam A. WellmanStarsClyde BeattyPat O'BrienMickey Spillane
  • Lon Chaney in Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928)

    16. Laugh, Clown, Laugh

    19281h 13mPassed
    7.5 (2.2K)
    A professional clown and a self-indulgent count learn to help each other with their problems, but then become romantic rivals.
    DirectorHerbert BrenonStarsLon ChaneyBernard SiegelLoretta Young
  • The Last Circus (2010)

    17. The Last Circus

    20101h 47mR70Metascore
    6.5 (16K)
    A young trapeze artist must decide between her lust for Sergio, the Happy Clown, or her affection for Javier, the Sad Clown, both of whom are deeply disturbed.
    DirectorÁlex de la IglesiaStarsCarlos ArecesAntonio de la TorreCarolina Bang
  • Barbara Eden and Tony Randall in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)

    18. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao

    19641h 40mApproved
    7.1 (5.7K)
    A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.
    DirectorGeorge PalStarsTony RandallBarbara EdenArthur O'Connell
  • Doctor Dolittle (1967)

    19. Doctor Dolittle

    19672h 32mG34Metascore
    6.2 (11K)
    After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
    DirectorRichard FleischerStarsRex HarrisonSamantha EggarAnthony Newley
  • I'm No Angel (1933)

    20. I'm No Angel

    19331h 27mPassed
    6.9 (4.2K)
    Circus performer Tira seeks a better life pursuing the company of wealthy New York men with improbable comic complications along the way.
    DirectorWesley RugglesStarsMae WestCary GrantGregory Ratoff
  • Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Geraldine Chaplin, and Frank Kaquitts in Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976)

    21. Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson

    19762h 3mPG61Metascore
    6.1 (5.6K)
    A cynical Buffalo Bill hires Sitting Bull to exploit him and add his credibility to the distorted view of history presented in his Wild West Show.
    DirectorRobert AltmanStarsPaul NewmanJoel GreyKevin McCarthy
  • Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster, and Moroni Olsen in Annie Oakley (1935)

    22. Annie Oakley

    19351h 30mApproved
    6.6 (2K)
    A romanticized biography of the famous sharpshooter.
    DirectorGeorge StevensStarsBarbara StanwyckPreston FosterMelvyn Douglas
  • Charlie McCarthy in You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939)

    23. You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

    19391h 19mApproved
    6.9 (2K)
    The owner of a debt-ridden circus contends with pursuing bill collectors and sheriffs, and his beloved daughter's relationships with one of his performers and a stuffy but wealthy young man.
    DirectorsGeorge MarshallEdward F. ClineStarsW.C. FieldsEdgar BergenCharlie McCarthy
  • Psycho-Circus (1966)

    24. Psycho-Circus

    19661h 31mNot Rated
    5.4 (1.6K)
    A circus becomes the location for stolen loot and murder.
    DirectorsWerner JacobsJohn Llewellyn MoxeyStarsChristopher LeeLeo GennAnthony Newlands
  • Merry Andrew (1958)

    25. Merry Andrew

    19581h 43mApproved
    6.6 (977)
    A downtrodden but creative English school teacher (Danny Kaye) on an archaeological trip, discovers the joys of love and circus life with acrobat (Pier Angeli).
    DirectorMichael KiddStarsDanny KayePier AngeliSalvatore Baccaloni

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