The Big Circus

A rare film from Irwin Allen in that it doesn't have the huge star cast nor the single, great disaster. But Allen was much younger when this film was made and hadn't perfected his cliches yet. It's a beautifully shot movie about a circus on the brink of failure. Mature is the boss, Price is his ringmaster, Lorre is a top clown. The usual fire, escaped beast, and heavy financial woes all serve to put the circus into deeper trouble. Buttons is a cold banker brought in to examine the workings of the circus before a loan can be granted. In the end, Red is called upon to be a clown and an aerialist. Fleming is a publicity woman and doesn't get too much to do in the film...