The Greatest Show on Earth
1952 film by Cecil B. DeMille · Released 1952
The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 American Technicolor epic drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, 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. James Stewart also stars as a mysterious clown who never removes his makeup, and Dorothy Lamour and Gloria Grahame also play supporting roles.
Cast ages at release (1952)
- Gloria Grahame, as Angel: 28–29
- Charlton Heston, as Brad Braden: 28–29
- James Stewart, as Buttons the Clown: 43–44
- Betty Hutton, as Holly: 30–31
- Dorothy Lamour, as Phyllis: 37–38
- Cornel Wilde, as The Great Sebastian: 39–40
- Lyle Bettger, as Klaus: 36–37
- Henry Wilcoxon, as FBI Agent Gregory: 46–47
- Lawrence Tierney, as Mr. Henderson: 32–33
- Lillian Albertson, as Buttons' mother: 70–71
- William Boyd: 0
- Bing Crosby: 48–49
- Cecil B. DeMille: 70–71
- Bob Hope: 48–49
- Edmond O'Brien, as Narrator: 36–37
- Frank Wilcox, as Circus doctor: 44–45
- John Ridgely, as Assistant Manager: 42–43
- Julia Faye, as Birdie: 59–60
- John Kellogg, as Harry: 35–36