|
|
|
Search Movie Review
Archives
|
|
|
| |
| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
remains to be to provide you, the entertainment community with
the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
link to the most popular dvd movies. |
|
|
The
Greatest Show On Earth
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Bob Leibold |
| Genre: |
Drama |
| Video: |
Full Screen
(Standard) - 1.33:1 |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
|
| Languages |
English,
French |
| Subtitles |
English |
| Length |
152 min.
|
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
4-6-03 |
| Studio |
Paramount
|
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Betty Hutton....
Holly Cornel Wilde.... The Great Sebastien Charlton Heston....
Marc Braden Dorothy Lamour.... Phyllis Gloria Grahame.... Ange....
James Stewart ... Buttons |
| Written
By: |
Fredric M.
Frank, Theodore St. John, Frank Cavett |
| Produced
By: |
Cecile B.
DeMille |
| Directed
By: |
Cecile B.
DeMille |
| Music:
|
Victor Young |
| The
Review: |
As Mr. DeMille
voice over says at the movie’s beginning, “...[the movie] bring(s)
you the Circus...The Pied Piper whose magic tunes lead children
of all ages from six to 60, into a tinsel and spun-candy world
of reckless beauty and mounting laughter, of whirling thrills,
of rhythm, excitement and grace of daring and blaring and dance
of high-stepping horses and high-flying stars...” We find out....
The Circus is in trouble. The show can go on only if it plays
and stays in black, financially. The troubles pile up once the
Great Sebastien (Cornel Wilde) is brought in to work the Center
Ring, forcing Holly (Betty Hutton) the present “Center Ringer”
into the lesser rings. A love rectangle? ensues between Brad
(Charlton Heston), Holly, Sebastian and Angel, played by Gloria
Grahame. If that’s not bad enough, crooked gamblers running
sucker games in the midway make life complicated for the Boss
Man, Brad as well. Then to top it off, a robbery of the circus’s
money from the counting car causes a train wreck before they
reach their next show stop. Just another day for the “Greatest
Show on Earth.” In the end, everything works out satisfactorily,
beautifully showcasing the various actual circus acts from that
time period. Brad realizes his true love, Holly shows she has
“saw dust” in her blood, Buttons, the clown, played by Jimmy
Stewart in grease paint the whole movie, is finally caught by
the cops, but after he saves the life of Brad seriously injured
in the train wreck |
| Image
and Sound: |
The transfer
of this 52-year-old Technicolor film is outstanding. The colors
and facial tones are gorgeous. The technicians must be applauded
for bringing this great epic picture back to its original release
clarity. The Western Electric Mono recording is clear and full
frequency. |
| The
Extras: |
None |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Final
Words: |
This movie was shot just before
DeMille started the Ten Commandments, the director’s last
film before he died. The circus was in its heyday, and there
was no bigger circus in the states or at least more famous
than the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. DeMille
captured the spirit of the big top and the “show must go on”
mentality of its participants....show biz cliché for sure
but lots of fun to watch. In our more sophisticated times
(we hope) the acting seems a little bit stiff by Heston, but
that seems to be his acting persona. But all of that is overshadowed
by the costuming and the circus extravaganza DeMille brings
to the screen. I am prejudiced since I love the circus and
I love this movie...even if the train wreck looks like the
“miniatures” it was, it still holds up as solid entertainment.
My only real problem is the marketing tactics the studio is
using. I still have the Ten Commandments however, I just saw
the DVD re-release of that title with all of the excellent
features the studio put with it....Is this DVD release another
Paramount marketing ploy to make us buy the movie without
extras....wait a while, then release a loaded version, causing
the fans to purchase another copy of the movie.
Perhaps one should wait until the
loaded version of this movie comes out .... you know they
will, since this movie is worth the extra attention as well
as the extra viewing additions. It is a Cecil B. DeMille movie,
which in itself, defines the movie watching experience. By
the way, watch close and see if you can find those two “rogues
of the road” in the stands watching the circus and eating
popcorn...I don’t want to give any more info away than that,
probably said too much already....a good movie to watch and
if you are a fan an even better movie to own.
|
|
|
