Trying to follow in his father's footsteps, the son of an ex-acrobat runs off and joins a circus, getting a job cleaning up after the animals.Trying to follow in his father's footsteps, the son of an ex-acrobat runs off and joins a circus, getting a job cleaning up after the animals.Trying to follow in his father's footsteps, the son of an ex-acrobat runs off and joins a circus, getting a job cleaning up after the animals.
Charles C. Wilson
- Sheldon
- (as Charles Wilson)
Ward Bond
- Unimpressed Man in Audience
- (uncredited)
Ernest Clark
- Vaudeville Act
- (uncredited)
Alfredo Codona
- Trapeze Aerialist
- (uncredited)
Nick Copeland
- Husband in Audience
- (uncredited)
Eddie Fetherston
- Circus Worker
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to a review summary in the New York Times, Joe E. Brown was affectionately pawed by a lion during one take, requiring 6 stitches in his arm. The article also points out that Brown did his own "spectacular acrobatics" - no doubles were used.
- ConnectionsReferenced in American Experience: The Battle Over Citizen Kane (1996)
- SoundtracksThe Billboard
(1901) (uncredited)
Music by John Klohr
Played during the opening credits
Also played when the trapeze artists enter the arena as part of the parade
Featured review
Fun Under The Big Top With Mr. Brown
A pretty aerialist doesn't know that THE CIRCUS CLOWN who's taken her drunken brother's place on the trapeze is actually the goofy animal keeper who loves her.
Comic Joe E. Brown is in his element in the fantasy world of the circus. Not only does he get to play two roles--father & son--he also performs difficult & dangerous stunts on the trapeze, proves himself most proficient on the trampoline and works with lions, elephants and one very large hippo. In addition, Brown acts as the target for a highly jealous knife thrower. In short, he has a marvelous time, and, with the help of good production values and a little touch of sweet sentiment, he brings the viewers along for the fun.
In a story wrinkle which strangely forecasts Brown's involvement in SOME LIKE IT HOT decades later, Joe suffers a rather bizarre but heartfelt infatuation for a female impersonator, played by Donald Dilloway. Patricia Ellis provides the more acceptable romantics as the fetching high flyer.
Movie mavens will recognize an unbilled Ward Bond as an unwisely opinionated spectator at the end of the film.
Comic Joe E. Brown is in his element in the fantasy world of the circus. Not only does he get to play two roles--father & son--he also performs difficult & dangerous stunts on the trapeze, proves himself most proficient on the trampoline and works with lions, elephants and one very large hippo. In addition, Brown acts as the target for a highly jealous knife thrower. In short, he has a marvelous time, and, with the help of good production values and a little touch of sweet sentiment, he brings the viewers along for the fun.
In a story wrinkle which strangely forecasts Brown's involvement in SOME LIKE IT HOT decades later, Joe suffers a rather bizarre but heartfelt infatuation for a female impersonator, played by Donald Dilloway. Patricia Ellis provides the more acceptable romantics as the fetching high flyer.
Movie mavens will recognize an unbilled Ward Bond as an unwisely opinionated spectator at the end of the film.
helpful•101
- Ron Oliver
- Dec 12, 2003
Details
- Runtime1 hour 4 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content