His scene with Buttons' mother (memorably played by Lillian Albertson) is a real tearjerker, and Stewart strikes the perfect tone as he crafts one of the movie's most memorable moments. 4203 and a 1 inch scale Atlantic No. "[15], Critic Leonard Maltin opined that "like most of DeMille's movies, this may not be art, but it's hugely enjoyable. The footage still resides in the Paramount film library. He would later star as Hopalong Cassidy in 52 episodes of a television series. Sebastian proposes marriage to Angel and she accepts. The Greatest Show on Earth won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Story. Yet it has rarely done well on television. This was to repay DeMille for having cast him in the showcase role of Simon of Cyrene in DeMille's production of The King of Kings (1927) nearly a quarter of a century earlier. However, this account has been disputed because when DeMille was filming with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ball was preparing I Love Lucy for its launch on CBS. The Smith Hudson, pulling the second section passenger train, collides with the caboose of the first section freight train. All that aside, the rest of the transfer elements are impressive. [21] Premiere placed the film on its list of the 10 worst Oscar winners[22] It holds the second-lowest spot on Rotten Tomatoes' 2011 list of the 90 films to win Best Picture (ahead of only 1929's The Broadway Melody).[23]. Heston says that the late-arriving actors then got the message. Reel change markers? [Phyllis is having her hair washed by Birdie as heart-throb Sebastian approaches;]. Refresh your browser window to try again. The Greatest Show on Earth movie clips: http://j.mp/1uvzWQ6BUY THE MOVIE: http://j.mp/xIjsqFDon't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DE. I'll takeHigh Noon, thank you, but after seeingThe Greatest Show on Earthfor the first time in a couple of decades, I can't deny its kitschy appeal. When The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) took off at the box office and copped the Best Picture Oscar, RCA Victor issued the original soundtrack recording on a long playing 10-inch LP, still a collector's item today. T he Greatest Show on Ea rth won Academy Awards . He also depicts the mesmerized, popcorn-chomping patrons, a few of whom are Hollywood stars (look for Bing Crosby and Bob Hope enraptured by their Roadfilms co-star Dorothy Lamour as she performs a song), and provides more than a taste of many of the thrilling and garish acts that perform in the iconic three rings under the gargantuan Big Top tent. The Greatest Show on Earth (8/9) Movie CLIP - Train Wreck (1952) HD. In his inimitable style, Maltin also praises the actors, lauds the spectacle, and shares some fun behind-the-scenes anecdotes and trivia. The Greatest Show on Earth (band), a British band from the early 1970s. A couple of exterior scenes appear a bit overexposed and some shots look either soft or slightly fuzzy, but that's to be expected from a film of this vintage that relies so heavily on special effects. Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women, and everyone. 1. Hammond Circus Train Wreck; Mighty Haag Railroad Shows toured the US and Canada by rail from 1909 to 1915. [7], The film earned $12.8 million[8] at the box office in the United States and Canada, making it the highest-grossing film of 1952, as well as Paramount's most successful film to that time. Danny Thomas, Van Heflin, character actor Oliver Blake and Noel Neill are seen as circus patrons. Circleville Pumpkin Show | Circleville, Ohio 43113 Poster. According to Cecil B. DeMille biographer Charles Higham, it proved almost impossible to retrieve them. The climactic trainwreck sequence remains one of the most revered set pieces in Hollywood history, primarily due to the emotional impact it provides, thanks to its sheer unexpectedness. Sebastian's former flames, Angel (Gloria Grahame) and Phyllis (Lamour), supply additional friction, and there's some mystery surrounding the troupe's primary clown Buttons (James Stewart), who strangely never takes off his makeup. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. DeMille wisely adopts a semi-documentary style that allows us to witness the inner workings of this massive organization and the Herculean effort required to transport, mount, and disassemble such a lavish extravaganza. Cecil B. DeMille cast Dorothy Lamour against type as the vulgar, none-too-bright Phyllis. The script cleverly focuses on several subplots reaching their boiling points to avoid any undue emphasis on the plan to rob the circus train. So yes, C.B. WhetherThe Greatest Show on Earthdeserved its Best Picture Oscar or not, the film nevertheless won the coveted award, and that distinction alone should merit the extra care and expense necessary to make this presentation perfect and preserve this classic motion picture for future generations. [24] Senator Joseph McCarthy was pursuing communists at the time, and DeMille was a conservative Republican involved with the National Committee for a Free Europe. (While 2017'sThe Greatest Showmandramatizes the horrific fire, its wounds and notoriety were too fresh for DeMille to depict it, soThe Greatest Show on Earthsubstitutes a massive circus train wreck instead. When Brad refuses, Holly vows to make her ring the focus of attention. In addition to the actors, the real Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus' 1951 troupe appears in the film with its complement of 1,400 people, hundreds of animals and 60 railroad cars of equipment and tents. The Greatest Show on Earth ends with one of the most memorable set pieces from Hollywood's Golden Age, a spectacular train wreck made with miniatures. He casually observes that Gregory will be taking fingerprints at the next stop, so Buttons can escape and lay low if he wishes. Of course, the circus acts were NOT done with special effects and are very entertaining. On Jan. 10, 1952, Paramount's 151-minute circus extravaganza The Greatest Show on Earth held its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall in . The Greatest Show on Earthmay not stand as DeMille's greatest film, but it's quite a show and a glowing salute to what sadly has become a bygone art form. Conspicuous mention is made of the circus tent's fireproof quality. 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He drives the automobile head-on toward the second train in an attempt to prevent the two trains from colliding. [4] William Boyd appears in his usual guise of Hopalong Cassidy. Charlton Heston stars as Brad Braden, the beloved . Publicity resulting from his involvement drew sell-out crowds to the performances. Trouble is also brewing for beloved Buttons the Clown, who never appears without his makeup and seems to possess medical knowledge. The Greatest Show on Earth The Greatest Show on Earth Item #: CE7272. 5301, a 1 inch scale Northern No. I haven't seen those ugly blemishes in a classic movie Blu-ray transfer from any studio for years and years! The Greatest Show on Earth is testament to DeMille not only as a great storyteller, but as a great showman. Both subsequently played trapeze artists, Lancaster in Trapeze (1956) and Douglas in The Story of Three Loves (1953). Stewart's warm, deeply human characterization went unrecognized by the Academy because, at the time of the film's release, it was unthinkable to nominate a major star for a supporting role. Touch of God, The Creation of Adam, (close up), Michelangelo, 1510, Genesis, Ceiling, Sistine Chapel, Rome, on BLACK Sticker. -to see reel change markers in the screen's upper right corner every so often. The very first scene was at the circus grounds with John Ringling North and in his private car named "Jomar" That was short for his aunt and uncles names. He managed to make it through two more takes, then had to stop. Did it deserve the Best Picture Oscar? The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 American drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, shot in Technicolor and released by Paramount Pictures.Set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the film stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde as trapeze artists competing for the center ring and Charlton Heston as the circus manager. Packed with pageantry, melodrama, romance, thrills, and especially hokum, this bloated epic knocks itself out trying to entertain, and largely succeeds. He catches Holly (Betty Hutton) then pulls her up and kisses her. Final film of Gertrude Messinger and Judith Ann Vroom. By David Hanna. The Greatest Show on Earth $2.99 Playback Region 2 : This will not play on most DVD players sold in the U.S., U.S. Locations - DeMille filmed the real circus performances in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Updated daily and in real-time, we track all high-def disc news and release dates, and review the latest disc titles. Cecil B. DeMille advised the writers to view the German film Variety (1925) as a model for the type of story he wanted. Finally in November, 1942 I had all 450 pounds of it shipped to my home, now in sunny California, where it was set up in El Monte. He was unable to use his arm for several days so Cecil B. DeMille shot scenes where he was not needed. YMMV /. Holly leads the performers in an improvised "spec" around the three rings a magnificent recovery from the disaster that ensures the circus will survive. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Edit The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Cecil B. DeMille Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by Victor Young . It cost $4 million, made $14 million, and certainly showed C.B. L.E. A brand new 4K restoration yields spectacular color and wonderful clarity, but too much print damage mars an otherwise impressive presentation. With the Big Top about to hit rock bottom, Braden hires The Great Sebastian. Brad promotes the idea of hiring top-flight French trapeze artist The Great Sebastian (Cornel Wilde) to boost ticket sales, but that means bumping his aerialist girlfriend Holly (Betty Hutton) out of the coveted center ring. Paulette Goddard also campaigned strongly for the role but was turned down owing to her reluctance to perform stunt scenes. Video THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, orig 1952 LC #5 [train wreck] - Cecille B deMille Condition: -- Price: US $35.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Add to Watchlist Free shipping and returns Ships from United States Shipping: FREEExpedited Shipping | See details Located in: Oxford, Ohio, United States Delivery: Estimated between Thu, Dec 29 and Tue, Jan 3 to 98837 Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth is a lavish tribute to circuses, featuring three intertwining plotlines concerning romance and rivalry beneath the big top. DeMille's film includes spectacular action sequences, including a show-stopping train wreck. [25], The Greatest Show on Earth was the first film that director Steven Spielberg saw, and he credits it as one of the major inspirations that led him into a film career. The train wreck sequence is especially impressive, with booming bass combining with high-pitched screeches to create a thrilling sonic cacophony. A string of memorable roles followed in films like San Quentin (1946), The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947), Born to Kill (1947) and the Oscar-winning circus drama from director Cecil B. DeMille, The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) in which Tierney played the villain responsible for the epic train wreck toward the film's conclusion. Although the film was shot in 35mm three-strip Technicolor, Paramount did shoot some test footage on the set using its newly developed wide-screen process Vistavision, which ran 35mm film horizontally through the camera, exposing two standard frames, eight perforations wide. A television series with the same title was inspired by the film, with Jack Palance in the role of Charlton Heston's character. In many of her movies, the brash and brassy Hutton often can be annoying (okay, insufferable), but DeMille manages to tone her down and keep her in check most of the time. The Miniature Locomotive, November-December 1954. One fan wrote a letter to DeMille on how much she enjoyed the movie and commented, "And I'm surprised how well the circus manager [Heston] worked with the real actors." Scenes of this motion picture were filmed at the actual winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, Florida. To make the movie more realistic, DeMille demanded his cast become proficient at the various disciplines they'd be performing. The simians were so frightened of the lions and tigers that they panicked and fled the building, ending up in the adjoining Hollywood Cemetery. This would free her to do "The Greatest Show on Earth" and save Cohn money. Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth is a lavish tribute to circuses, featuring three intertwining plotlines concerning romance and rivalry beneath the big top. From $1.27. Hutton's trapeze work especially impresses and Wilde had to overcome a crippling fear of heights to perform his aerial work, which was somewhat modified to accommodate his acrophobia. William Boyd, who had become enormously popular playing the character Hopalong Cassidy in a series of films and on television, contributed his cameo in this film -- as Hoppy -- as a favor to director Cecil B. DeMille. Perhaps our readers who saw this movie will remember the locomotive that crashed the rear of the stalled show train with sufficient power to thoroughly wreck about ten cars before turning over on its side. The Greatest Show on Earth won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Story.CREDITS:TM \u0026 Paramount (1952)Cast: Cecil B. DeMilleDirector: Cecil B. DeMilleProducers: Cecil B. DeMille, Henry WilcoxonScreenwriters: Frank Cavett, Jack Gariss, Fredric M. Frank, Theodore St. John, Barr LyndonWHO ARE WE?The MOVIECLIPS channel is the largest collection of licensed movie clips on the web. Although the film was shot in 35mm three-strip Technicolor, Paramount did shoot some test footage on the set using its newly developed wide-screen process Vistavision, which ran 35mm film horizontally through the camera, exposing two standard frames, eight perforations wide. The snarls, roars, and squeals of the animals are crisp, all the human dialogue is easy to comprehend, and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude. Holly is heartbroken, and claims that Brad has no feelings. By FrozenMistress. Whether any of that is true remains open for debate, but it's an interesting perspective, especially when one considers the kitschy nature ofThe Greatest Show on Earthwhen compared with the intelligence and gravitas that defineHigh Noon. 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