Circus Movies, Documentaries and Bios
- Big Cats of the Big Top (1987)
Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey video documentary with acts.
Family Home Entertainment
Available on VHS at some libraries.
- Circus! 200 Years of Circus in America (1995)
Jack Perkins hosts an ambitious historical documentary.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0321708
Not found for sale anywhere. Found on VHS at major public libraries, published by A&E.
- Great Performances "Clown Prince" (2004)
TV series, season 33, Episode 2, December 15th 2004. Documentary of the career of Bill Irwin.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0774068
Not found for sale anywhere.
- Inside The Soviet Circus (1989)
National Geographic documentary behind the scenes at Moscow's Circus School.
http://shopngvideos.com/products/TheSovietCircus
Available on DVD from National Geographic.
- International Showtime (1961)
TV series covering European circuses hosted by Don Ameche. A.K.A. Rings Around the World (1967).
http://imdb.com/title/tt0054549
Not found for sale anywhere.
- P.T. Barnum (1999)
Beau Bridges starts in an excellent and lengthy biography from childhood to death, which actually includes very little circus.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0209720
Available on DVD from Amazon.
- The Regard of Flight (1983)
MacArthur Foundation Genius Awards winner Bill Irwin explores "The New Theatre" in a minimalist stage performance including a pianist and critic.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0134050
Not found for sale anywhere. Available on VHS at some major libraries.
- Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College: 20th Anniversary Special (1988)
Broadcast on CBS on February 17th 1988, hosted by Dick Van Dyke.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Brothers_and_Barnum_&_Bailey_Clown_College
Not found for sale anywhere.
- Ringling Brothers Kings of the Circus (2000)
Story of the rise of the five siblings from Wisconsin.
http://answers.com/topic/ringling-brothers-kings-of-the-circus
Available on DVD from Amazon.
- The Spike Jones Story (1988)
Documentary featuring archival films, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, friends, family and band members.
http://storyvillejazzdvd.com
Available on DVD from Amazon.
- Super Circus (1952)
Emmy nominated children's TV series starring Claude Kirshner as ringmaster, Mary Hartline as bandleader, and several clowns. Filmed in Chicago.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0041060
Available from Movies Unlimited.
- Under the Big Top (2001)
A&E Documentary backstage at major circuses.
http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=74998
Available on DVD from A&E.
UP
2007.07.07