The Greatest Show on Earth's primary photo
  • The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
  • Passed
    152 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Passed
152 min | Drama, Family, Romance

The dramatic lives of trapeze artists, a clown, and an elephant trainer are told against a background of circus spectacle.
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Fredric M. Frank (screenplay) (story) | Barré Lyndon (screenplay) | Theodore St. John (screenplay) (as Theodore St.John) (story) (as Theodore St.John) | Frank Cavett (story)
Producer
Composer
Victor Young (music score by)
Cinematographer
Editor
Trending & News

Become a member to see MOVIEmeter and news information about The Greatest Show on Earth.

Box Office as of 11/22/24

Become a member to see Box Office information about The Greatest Show on Earth.


Release date
May 1952 (United States)

Contacts

Become a member to see contact information for The Greatest Show on Earth.

Cast

+ Add Cast
260 cast members
Name Known for
Cornel Wilde
The Great Sebastian The Great Sebastian   See fewer
Charlton Heston
Brad Braden Brad Braden   See fewer
Dorothy Lamour
Phyllis Phyllis   See fewer
Henry Wilcoxon
FBI Agent Gregory FBI Agent Gregory   See fewer
Lawrence Tierney
Mr. Henderson Mr. Henderson   See fewer
Emmett Kelly
Emmett Kelly Emmett Kelly   See fewer
Cucciola
Cucciola Cucciola   See fewer
Antoinette Concello
Antoinette Concello Antoinette Concello   See fewer
John Ringling North
John Ringling North John Ringling North   See fewer
Tuffy Genders
Tuffy Genders Tuffy Genders   See fewer
John Ridgely
Assistant Manager Assistant Manager   See fewer
Frank Wilcox
Circus Doctor Circus Doctor   See fewer
Robert Carson
Ringmaster (as Bob Carson) Ringmaster (as Bob Carson)   See fewer
Lillian Albertson
Buttons' Mother Buttons' Mother   See fewer
Julia Faye
Birdie Birdie   See fewer
James Stewart
'Buttons' A Clown 'Buttons' A Clown   See fewer
Lou Jacobs
Lou Jacobs Lou Jacobs   See fewer
The Alzanas
The Alzanas The Alzanas   See fewer
Trisco
Trisco Trisco   See fewer
The Flying Artonys
The Flying Artonys The Flying Artonys   See fewer
Lilo Juston
Lilo Juston Lilo Juston   See fewer
The Chaludis
The Chaludis The Chaludis   See fewer
The Idnavis
The Idnavis The Idnavis   See fewer
The Realles
The Realles The Realles   See fewer
The Fredonias
The Fredonias The Fredonias   See fewer
Luciana & Friedel
Luciana & Friedel Luciana & Friedel   See fewer
Buzzy Potts
Buzzy Potts Buzzy Potts   See fewer
Ernie Burch
Ernie Burch Ernie Burch   See fewer
Felix Adler
Felix Adler Felix Adler   See fewer
Paul Jerome
Paul Jerome Paul Jerome   See fewer
Miss Patricia
Miss Patricia Miss Patricia   See fewer
Eddie Kohl
Eddie Kohl Eddie Kohl   See fewer
Tiebor's Sea Lions
Tibor's Sea Lions Tibor's Sea Lions   See fewer
Mroczkowski's Liberty Horses
Mroczkowski's Liberty Horses Mroczkowski's Liberty Horses   See fewer
The Zoppes
The Zoppes The Zoppes   See fewer
Bones Brown
Bones Brown Bones Brown   See fewer
Fay Alexander
Fay Alexander Fay Alexander   See fewer
The Flying Concellos
The Flying Concellos The Flying Concellos   See fewer
Lola Dobritch
Lola Dobritch Lola Dobritch   See fewer
The Hemadas
The Hemadas The Hemadas   See fewer
Christy and Gorilla
Christy & Gorilla (as Christy & Gorilla) Christy & Gorilla (as Christy & Gorilla)   See fewer
Tonito
Tonito Tonito   See fewer
The Bokaras
The Bokaras The Bokaras   See fewer
Prince Paul
Prince Paul Prince Paul   See fewer
Jimmy Armstrong
Jimmy Armstrong Jimmy Armstrong   See fewer
Paul Horompo
Paul Horompo Paul Horompo   See fewer
Paul Jung
Paul Jung Paul Jung   See fewer
Charley Bell
Charley Bell Charley Bell   See fewer
Gilbert Reichert
Gilbert Reichert Gilbert Reichert   See fewer
C.H. Lindsey
C. H. Lindsey C. H. Lindsey   See fewer
Peterson's Dogs
Peterson's Dogs Peterson's Dogs   See fewer
Rix's Bears
Rix's Bears Rix's Bears   See fewer
Arthur Burson
Arthur Burson Arthur Burson   See fewer
La Norma
La Norma La Norma   See fewer
Jeanne Sleeter
Jeanne Sleeter Jeanne Sleeter   See fewer
Billy Snyder
Bill Snyder (as Bill Snyder) Bill Snyder (as Bill Snyder)   See fewer
The Flying Comets
The Flying Comets The Flying Comets   See fewer
Veronica Martell
Veronica Martell Veronica Martell   See fewer
Miss Loni
Miss Loni Miss Loni   See fewer
The Romigs
The Romigs The Romigs   See fewer
Rusty Parent
Rusty Parent Rusty Parent   See fewer
The Maxellos
The Maxellos The Maxellos   See fewer
Martha Hunter
Martha Hunter Martha Hunter   See fewer
Truzzi
Truzzi Truzzi   See fewer
Eugene Scott
Eugene Scott Eugene Scott   See fewer
James Barnes
James Barnes James Barnes   See fewer
Merle Evans
Merle Evans Merle Evans   See fewer
Frank McClosky
Frank McClosky Frank McClosky   See fewer
Mike Petrillo
Mike Petrillo Mike Petrillo   See fewer
Peter Grace
Peter Grace Peter Grace   See fewer
Bob Reynolds
Bob Reynolds Bob Reynolds   See fewer
George Werner
George Werner George Werner   See fewer
Lee Aaker
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Dorothy Adams
Sam's Wife (uncredited) Sam's Wife (uncredited)   See fewer
Eric Alden
Canvas Man (uncredited) Canvas Man (uncredited)   See fewer
Erville Alderson
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Stanley Andrews
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ross Bagdasarian
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Frank Baker
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Vicki Bakken
Vicki (uncredited) Vicki (uncredited)   See fewer
Arthur Berkeley
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Mary Bezemes
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Gladys Blake
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Oliver Blake
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
William Boyd
Hopalong Cassidy (uncredited) Hopalong Cassidy (uncredited)   See fewer
Ralph Brooks
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Helen Brown
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Jeanne Browning
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Arthur Q. Bryan
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Donna Burke
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Bobby Burns
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Paul E. Burns
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Lonnie Burr
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Bruce Cameron
Bruce (uncredited) Bruce (uncredited)   See fewer
Charles Campbell
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Frances Campbell
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Malcolm Cassell
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Iphigenie Castiglioni
Iphigenie Castiglioni (uncredited) Iphigenie Castiglioni (uncredited)   See fewer
Lane Chandler
Dave (uncredited) Dave (uncredited)   See fewer
Nathalie J. Christian
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Ken Christy
Tightrope Act Spectator (uncredited) Tightrope Act Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Archie D. Clark
Train Engineer (uncredited) Train Engineer (uncredited)   See fewer
Davison Clark
Farmer Sam (uncredited) Farmer Sam (uncredited)   See fewer
Ronnie Clark
Boy (uncredited) Boy (uncredited)   See fewer
Lydia Clarke
Circus Girl (uncredited) Circus Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Rocky Clinton
Barker (uncredited) Barker (uncredited)   See fewer
Rus Conklin
Rus (uncredited) Rus (uncredited)   See fewer
Gerald Courtemarche
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
John Crawford
Jack - Circus Attendant (uncredited) Jack - Circus Attendant (uncredited)   See fewer
Dorothy Crider
Dorothy (uncredited) Dorothy (uncredited)   See fewer
Bing Crosby
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Bob Crosby
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Cecil B. DeMille
Narrator (voice) (uncredited) Narrator (voice) (uncredited)   See fewer
Bobby Diamond
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Lester Dorr
Midway Game Barker (uncredited) Midway Game Barker (uncredited)   See fewer
Gloria Drew
Ann (uncredited) Ann (uncredited)   See fewer
Jimmie Dundee
Utility Man / Stake Driver (uncredited) Utility Man / Stake Driver (uncredited)   See fewer
Claude Dunkin
Claude (uncredited) Claude (uncredited)   See fewer
Don Dunning
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Art Dupuis
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Rosemary Dvorak
Rosemary (uncredited) Rosemary (uncredited)   See fewer
Daisy Earles
Midget (uncredited) Midget (uncredited)   See fewer
Bonnie Kay Eddy
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Monie Ellis
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
C.L. Elslander
Father C.L. Elslander (uncredited) Father C.L. Elslander (uncredited)   See fewer
Franklyn Farnum
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Mary Field
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Norman Field
Truesdale (uncredited) Truesdale (uncredited)   See fewer
Elizabeth Fillman
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Bess Flowers
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Kathleen Freeman
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Mona Freeman
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Curt Furberg
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Gerry Ganzer
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Nancy Gates
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Slim Gaut
Circus Man (uncredited) Circus Man (uncredited)   See fewer
Everett Glass
Board Member (uncredited) Board Member (uncredited)   See fewer
Joseph Granby
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Greta Granstedt
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Linda Green
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Otto Griebling
Circus Performer (uncredited) Circus Performer (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert Haines
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Dolores Hall
Circus Girl (uncredited) Circus Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Scott H. Hall
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
William Hall
Bill (uncredited) Bill (uncredited)   See fewer
John Hamer
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Chuck Hamilton
Ambulance Driver (uncredited) Ambulance Driver (uncredited)   See fewer
Peter Hansen
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Charmienne Harker
Charmienne (uncredited) Charmienne (uncredited)   See fewer
Joe Harper
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Kathleen Hartnagel
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Helene Hatch
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Bradford Hatton
Osborne (uncredited) Osborne (uncredited)   See fewer
Jimmy Hawkins
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Erin Hennessey
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Patsy Henry
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
William Henry
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Bette Hill
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Paula Hill
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Fay Holderness
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ronny Hooker
Boy (uncredited) Boy (uncredited)   See fewer
Bob Hope
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Jerry James
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Michael Jeffers
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Adele Cook Johnson
Mable (uncredited) Mable (uncredited)   See fewer
Brad Johnson
Reporter (uncredited) Reporter (uncredited)   See fewer
Llorna Jordon
Lorna (uncredited) Lorna (uncredited)   See fewer
Frances Karath
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Milton Kibbee
Pickpocket Victim (uncredited) Pickpocket Victim (uncredited)   See fewer
Mona Knox
Mona (uncredited) Mona (uncredited)   See fewer
Fred Kohler Jr.
Train Fireman (uncredited) Train Fireman (uncredited)   See fewer
Anne Kunde
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ethan Laidlaw
Hank (uncredited) Hank (uncredited)   See fewer
Larry Lapham
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Rudy Lee
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Leota Lorraine
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Herbert Lytton
Foreman (uncredited) Foreman (uncredited)   See fewer
George Magrill
Circus Man (uncredited) Circus Man (uncredited)   See fewer
Ted Mapes
Roustabout (uncredited) Roustabout (uncredited)   See fewer
Anthony Marsh
Tony (uncredited) Tony (uncredited)   See fewer
Sydney Mason
Carson (uncredited) Carson (uncredited)   See fewer
Gay McEldowney
Gay (uncredited) Gay (uncredited)   See fewer
Pattie McKenzie
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Peggy McKim
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
James McNally
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
William Meader
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
David M. Mee
Little Boy (uncredited) Little Boy (uncredited)   See fewer
Frank Meredith
Train Engineer (uncredited) Train Engineer (uncredited)   See fewer
John Merton
Chuck (uncredited) Chuck (uncredited)   See fewer
Gertrude Messinger
Gertrude (uncredited) Gertrude (uncredited)   See fewer
Patricia Michon
Patricia (uncredited) Patricia (uncredited)   See fewer
Royce Milne
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ralph Montgomery
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Beverly Mook
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Lyle Moraine
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Clarence Nash
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Howard Negley
Truck Boss (uncredited) Truck Boss (uncredited)   See fewer
Noel Neill
Noel (uncredited) Noel (uncredited)   See fewer
Richard Neill
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ottola Nesmith
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Joel Nestler
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
David Newell
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Eric Nielsen
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Noralee Norman
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Judy Nugent
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Edmond O'Brien
Midway Barker at End (uncredited) Midway Barker at End (uncredited)   See fewer
Lillian O'Malley
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Susan Odin
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Sammy Ogg
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Ruth Packard
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
John Parrish
Jack Lawson (uncredited) Jack Lawson (uncredited)   See fewer
'Snub' Pollard
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Luce Potter
Midget (uncredited) Midget (uncredited)   See fewer
Hugh Prosser
Hugh (uncredited) Hugh (uncredited)   See fewer
Gilman Rankin
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Harry Raven
Circus Man (uncredited) Circus Man (uncredited)   See fewer
John Rice
Circus Patron (uncredited) Circus Patron (uncredited)   See fewer
Keith Richards
Keith - Circus Attendant (uncredited) Keith - Circus Attendant (uncredited)   See fewer
Bruce Riley Jr.
Boy (uncredited) Boy (uncredited)   See fewer
William J. Riley
Policeman (uncredited) Policeman (uncredited)   See fewer
Edwin Rochelle
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Peter Roman
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Angelo Rossitto
Midget (uncredited) Midget (uncredited)   See fewer
Gladys Rosson
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
John Roy
Roustabout (uncredited) Roustabout (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert E. Royal
Policeman (uncredited) Policeman (uncredited)   See fewer
William Ruhl
Circus Barker (uncredited) Circus Barker (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert W. Rushing
Policeman (uncredited) Policeman (uncredited)   See fewer
Russell Saunders
Circus Man (uncredited) Circus Man (uncredited)   See fewer
Syd Saylor
Circus Barker (uncredited) Circus Barker (uncredited)   See fewer
Ritz Schroder
Harlequin (uncredited) Harlequin (uncredited)   See fewer
Queenie Smith
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Squeaky
Squeaky (uncredited) Squeaky (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert St. Angelo
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Mabel Stark
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert R. Stephenson
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Tony Taylor
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Roland Tiebor
Roland Tiebor (uncredited) Roland Tiebor (uncredited)   See fewer
Nina Torres
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Stuart Torres
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Arthur Tovey
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Dale Van Sickel
Man in Train Wreck (uncredited) Man in Train Wreck (uncredited)   See fewer
Dorothy Vernon
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Judith Ann Vroom
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Wally Walker
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Fred Walton
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Beverly Washburn
Little Girl Spectator (uncredited) Little Girl Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Joan Whitney
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Josephine Whittell
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Kay Wiley
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Dickie June Williams
Girl (uncredited) Girl (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert N. Wilson
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited) Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert Winans
Little Boy Spectator (uncredited) Little Boy Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Christine Wright
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Fred Zendar
Spectator (uncredited) Spectator (uncredited)   See fewer
Alberto Zoppe
Alberto Zoppe - Trick Rider (uncredited) Alberto Zoppe - Trick Rider (uncredited)   See fewer
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.

MOVIEmeter

Members only

Become a member to access additional data

Ratings Breakdown