American Experience : Barnum's Big Top (1991)

Genres - Historical Film  |   Sub-Genres - Biography, Sales & Marketing, Social History  |   Run Time - 60 min.  |   Countries - United States  |  
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Synopsis by Rose of Sharon Winter

This program is part of the PBS American Experience series. This episode provides an in-depth look at one of the greatest promoters America ever produced. P.T. Barnum had big ideas for capturing the public's attention and money. He called his traveling entertainment show "The Big Top." Its attractions ran the gamut from the thrilling to the bizarre. All the action took place in his three-ring circus. Archival clips and photographs, personal accounts, and historic commentary recount the story of Barnum, who was destined to join forces with James Bailey to produce "The Greatest Show on Earth."

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Keywords

circus, promoter, bragging, on-the-road, freak-show, clown