I first saw this film in a cinema when I was a child, and I've loved it ever since. I like everything about it, and I think the acting is first rate. I love the title song. I couldn't find its lyrics online, but I've just obtained them, thanks to flagging up the subtitles. Victor Mature was never better than in this film. He has such a wonderful actor's face: the most expressive face I've seen of any actor. Charlton Heston dominated 'The Greatest Show on Earth' and Victor Mature has a similar role as the head of the circus. Nothing wrong with Heston, but I believe that Mature is head and shoulders above him in this film. Nice to see Kathryn Grant whom I'd seen earlier in 'The 7th Voyage of Sinbad'. She was a good actress: it's a a pity she gave it up. This is also far and away the best I've ever seen Gilbert Roland. He is excellent as the high wire artist, broken by the death of his wife, put put back together when Mature taunts him into walking across Niagara Falls. OK, so the special effects are of their time. The acting of Roland more than makes up for that: he really convinces that death is a moment's lapse of concentration away. This remains a favourite film of mine: one of those films with which I will never finish. I will always enjoy watching it from time to time.
Review of The Big Circus
