International Showtime (1961–1965) User Reviews

Early Enough for the Children of All Ages

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 11 August 2007]

I remember International Showtime as a lad back in the early sixties when America was treated to the best of European circus acts. The shows were hosted by Don Ameche who was one classy and debonair ringmaster.

I thought Ameche had the greatest job in the world. Just sit and watch the acts and introduce them. He was a man with a lot of class and charm and it was working on all cylinders during the show.

Ameche hosted the show, but he never allowed International Showtime to be about himself. The circus acts were always the main attraction. Still the host role fit Don Ameche perfectly.

I remember the show being on at Friday night at 8:00 pm. early enough for the children of all ages to watch.

If they ever revived International Showtime, who in the world today could replace someone like Don Ameche.

10 Episodes!?

[harlow28 · 9/10 · 7 July 2013]

Thought there were more episodes.

As a kid in the 1960's I probably saw many repeats.

Didn't matter, was great viewing.

Don Ameche is perfect as the ringmaster.

The acts were world class...

People could see a circus in their own lounge room.

I'd be right up in front of the telly.

My! As a kid I'd hold my breath sometimes at what I saw.

I give it 9 out of 10.

And not just because me and Don Ameche share the same birthday.

I Was Young and it Was Fun!!

[sherriehoyer · 9/10 · 22 April 2021]

1961, the year of my summer Golden Birthday, brought this amicable show hosted by Don Ameche, and I loved it! So I was thrilled when it returned with new episodes during the next four summers.

Nowadays, with what I know about circuses & the way animals are treated, no. But in the youthful innocence of the early 60s, I loved it!!

Don Ameche for 7-Up!

[jimbo97-1 · 15 November 2017]

I remember International Showtime as a summer replacement show for several years. I'm sure famed actor Don Ameche would rather be filming a sequel to Alexander GRAHAM BELL than sitting in the back row of a big European theater, introducing circus acts. But he did it well, and only occasionally had to show off a bottle of 7-Up, the program's sponsor, as I remember.

I think this is where this adolescent boy was introduced to the Kessler Twins! WOW!!!!

***Just the thought of this show makes me smile***

[moss-25044 · 10/10 · 20 December 2020]

Definitely remember this one; didn't realize it only ran for 5-6 yrs seems like it was on every Sunday in my neck of the woods. What memories it harkens back.

What I recall

[russginaz · 8/10 · 12 July 2021]

Well, it's not much...I was only 6 in 1961. The two things I do remember, though, are the theme music and how Don Ameche applauded the acts by rapping a rolled up program into his other, open hand. Just can't conjure recollections of the acts other than that they seemed foreign, which was the case.

Fabulous Summer Fun!

[raybruneau · 8/10 · 11 March 2022]

I remember this show quite fondly as a 6-10 year old. There were few TV shows during the "summer rerun" season that kids 6-12 were genuinely excited about getting prepared to watch after dinner. This was one of them. Showcasing famous circus acts from all around Europe, it was light and fun. Don Ameche was among my favorite personalities. I particularly recall the clowns - we occasionally even got to see Emmet Kelley! - they were always hilarious (this was WAY before Stephen King traumatized American kids with Pennywise from "It"). Even Don Ameche would sometimes belly-laugh.

One of the most peculiar summer replacement shows.

[TomReed · 5/10 · 25 June 2006]

This was a summer replacement show aired by NBC. Basically, Don Ameche (using his slightly sophisticated and elegant reputation) sat in the bleachers of a European circus, and occasionally added voice-over narration to some of the acts. I was too young then to know if this was videotaped in Europe and scan-converted to US standards, or whether someone had dragged US-standard video vans to Europe. However, it was held in a standing arena facility with an orchestra, and not in a tent. I didn't particularly care for the animal acts, but the European clowns were lots of fun. At least twice each summer, the circus would have the "audience participation" of someone riding a horse around a ring, and attempting to stand on the horse's back - assisted by a long rope hoist from the center of the ring. And always, one of the clowns would try the ride, and he'd be hoisted twenty feet in the air in a circular orbit. I suppose that, like many American movies made in Europe, this was a way to use "frozen assets" from the showing of NBC programs. Like most summer replacement shows this was cheap, but it was one of the few looks at European entertainment we got in the 60's.

Technical data

[artgking · 6/10 · 25 February 2009]

I remember watching some of the shows. I was working for WWLP, Ch. 22, Springfield, MA. I know some of the background. Ch. 22 had some of the first Ampex videotape machines that started the tape revolution in 1956. We were doing some commercials for New York ad agencies, since the labor cost was half that of New York. The producers of International Showtime Hired away several of the engineers who had experience with the Ampex machines. The programs were taped and then mailed to NBC in New York. They were not shown in Europe, as the formats were incompatible. I was not able to join them, as I had already contemplating a family. I was told that the crew rented an estate in england and a house overlooking the Rivera.

Going To the Circus With Don Ameche

[Mike_Yike · 6/10 · 25 March 2019]

I remember this show (in this case the word "show" seems to be better than the word "program") from when I was a kid. As I recall, they were straightforward circus acts filed under the big top with Ameche being a kind of ringmaster, a ringmaster from the bleachers. It was enjoyable entertainment without in any way taxing the mind.