Who Loves a Circus

@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
July 30, 2018 8:39am CST
I've always loved the circus, from the time I was a child. I remember my dad taking us to see the circus, and I think it was his favorite too, as the one time I remember most when the tent came to town, Dad took us to watch them set the tent up. I'm quite certain we also went to the circus, but I don't have those memories. When I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, the circus came to the sports arena, and I got tickets and went. I had a lot of fun. A few years back the circus came to Green Bay, twice. The first time it was a little known Shriners Circus. That one was memorable as there was an elephant stampede. It damaged some of the trapeze equipment, but nobody was hurt. I went to that one with my son. I was happy I was witness to something happening and not just learning about it on the news. That might sound sadistic, it's not. I'm very happy nobody was hurt, artists or spectators. It just always seemed I was in the wrong place at the wrong time when there was anything newsworthy going on. The second time the circus came to town it was Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey's Circus. I went to see the train before they unloaded everything and went out to the arena for it. I have a lot of pictures from that circus, which was a lot of fun. I went with my son to that one too, and have a t-shirt and hat from the event. It was a lot of fun. They even had fans, mostly kids, enjoy the big swing before the performance. That was the last circus I went to. I'm pretty certain it was in the 1990's. This isn't about my experiences with the circus coming to town, however. It's about my favorite circus movies. There have been circus movies since the age of silent films to the present day. From that list, I'm going to give you my top six favorite movies, starting with the oldest of my favorites. First up is Dumbo. The Disney classic that came to theaters in 1941. Some information from Wikipedia: Dumbo was the fourth animated Disney film. In 2017 Dumbo was selected for preservation in the United States Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. A live action adaptation of the film directed by Tim Burton is scheduled for release in March 2019 Information from IMDB: Dumbo won an Oscar in 1942 for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture, and nominated for Best Music, Original Song. At the Cannes Music Festival 1947 it won for Best Animation Design. Winner of the NBR (National Board of Review) award 1941 Mel Blanc was the voice of Dumbo. Herman Bing the voice of the Ringmaster. Edward Brophy the voice of Timothy Q. Mouse. Jim Edwards was the voice of Jim Crow. It had a budget of $950,000 and grossed $1.6 M at the box office. To see the trailer click on the link below:
21 people like this
21 responses
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
30 Jul 18
I used to love circuses, but I think that now I have outgrown them. Or maybe it is because there are so many wonderful circus on TV. The last time I saw a circus was when my brother invited me to the Cirque du Soleil. Ii was a most beautiful thing.
3 people like this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
30 Jul 18
@just4him What I saw was something like a play, with a plot and all that, but in the way circuses to their work. I was invited to a very good seat so I could see it very well.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@marguicha That's great! I'm glad you had a good seat.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've seen some of that, not a whole show, and it looks awesome.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Jul 18
I have never been to the circus in my life. Only saw movies like Circus World, The Greatest Show on Earth and Jumbo.
3 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
Never? Wow! I haven't seen Circus World, but I have seen the other two.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Jul 18
@just4him I forgot to mention the movie Trapeze also.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@JohnRoberts I haven't seen that one either. I did see it listed among all the circus titles.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
30 Jul 18
I loved the Disney cartoon Dumbo, but I have never liked the circus. I always thought that all those poor animals were treated like slaves. I know that Circus animals are abused, this is horrible.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
31 Jul 18
@just4him Simply keeping them in small cages all the time was something that I considered abuse, even when I was very young.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I never knew about the abuse to circus animals while I was growing up. I'm glad you love Dumbo too.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@LadyDuck I guess I didn't see it that way when I was young.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
30 Jul 18
used to take my family to the circus.We loved it I love Dumbp/
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
30 Jul 18
@just4him oh yes I have the movie so many times when a child
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm glad you always loved the circus too. I'm glad you also loved Dumbo.
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
31 Jul 18
our city feast day is coming next month. i believe the circus is coming to a certain place within the city premises to build several rides for the kids.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Aug 18
@ridingbet I hope everyone enjoys it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
That sounds like fun.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
2 Aug 18
@just4him it is now August so i think that area is already built with the merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, and other kids' rides.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59367)
• Portugal
31 Jul 18
I have never seen a circus on live. Dumbo will have a new film on theatres next year I think, it is an adorable movie.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
Yes, it will. I was surprised to see that. It will be live action. I prefer the Disney classic.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Aug 18
@nela13 I will probably only watch it once in live action. I'm not a Tim Burton fan when it comes to taking an animated film and turning it to live action. I wouldn't be surprised to find Johnnie Depp in the movie, since Tim Burton tends to use this actor a lot for his movies. I'm not a Johnnie Depp fan either. I'll just wait to see what he does with it. I love the animated Dumbo, and wish they had left it alone.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59367)
• Portugal
1 Aug 18
@just4him I have seen the trailer, seems a wonderful movie and I like it to be in live action.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
30 Jul 18
I haven't been to the circus for years, but my parents, my brother and I went in my childhood. I especially liked the trapeze artists. I told my mother that I wanted to become one of them, but she didn't think it was a good idea I have never seen any circus movies,
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
30 Jul 18
@just4him I am glad that never tried to become a trapeze artist. I don't think that it would have been the right profession for me, but I was very fascinated by the idea as a child.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
She might have been right. I'm sorry you haven't seen any circus movies.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@Porcospino I was too. I used to swing on it on the playground.
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
31 Jul 18
I used to go to the circus a lot with my parents. I loved the acrobats, the clowns, and even the animal acts. Now days, I'm happy they basically ended. I didn't like seeing the cruelty to animals.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
31 Jul 18
@just4him Exactly!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
It was a lot of fun when we were younger. Now, all we tend to think about is the cruelty behind the acts.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
31 Jul 18
I never went to the circus. But they were in town around my birthday almost every year. I did see a Cirque du Soliel show when I went to Las Vegas. I would love to see another show.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
That sounds like fun.
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@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jul 18
I still remember bits of The Greatest Show on Earth. I really loved the circus too especially the animal acts. I know it's not PC now to support circuses and I don't really but I'm still glad I saw some when I was young.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
I'm glad you did. They were lots of fun.
@NJChicaa (127116)
• United States
30 Jul 18
My parents took us to Barnum & Baileys when we were kids. We loved it. As an adult, though, I have no taste for circuses. Those animals shouldn't be forced to perform like that. There have been so many documented cases of abuse. The elephants and those huge cats. . . nope. They should be living in the wild, or at least in zoos. I wasn't a bit sorry when I heard that "The Greatest Show On Earth" was closing down for good.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Jul 18
There are many people who consider zoos to be abusive as well, and wild animal parks. I got to where I post very little about animals that are not in the wild except Princess. I got lots of negative feedback most of the time.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm glad you enjoyed it as a kid until you learned about the abuse. I didn't learn about the abuse until recently.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@GardenGerty I realized I might get negative feedback about it, but I've always enjoyed the circus, and what I'm offering are movies about circuses.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
31 Jul 18
@just4him I remember ringling. I liked the circus too.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
I'm glad you enjoyed the circus.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
1 Aug 18
@just4him Thanks Valerie.
1 person likes this
• India
30 Jul 18
I love circus. I have been to some if the circuses. I enjoy watching them even now when I am grown up
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm glad you love the circus too.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
@anamika161088 Yes it is.
1 person likes this
• India
31 Jul 18
@just4him circus are entertaining and fun too. It is a stress reliever.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
30 Jul 18
I have never seen this before.. thanks for sharing
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
You're welcome. I hope you have a chance to see Dumbo. It's an awesome movie.
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@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
31 Jul 18
@just4him thank you, I will check it out.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Jul 18
I used to watch Circus Boy on TV every Saturday morning, but I do not remember much. A few years back I was working as security in an arena and saw one of those Shrine circuses a bunch of times that weekend. When I posted about it here I learned that many people here consider circus to be abusive of animals.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
I guess not everyone likes circuses. I'm glad I didn't know about the abuse when I was a kid.
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
30 Jul 18
Do not know why but I have never had any attraction to circus.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm sure there are other things you enjoy.
• United States
30 Jul 18
Dumbo was one of my favorite childhood movies. I've been to the Ringling Brothers circus quite a few times.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I've only been there once. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad you also like Dumbo.
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
30 Jul 18
i have never been into one but i have to say, i just read the night circus and somehow i have a picture what circus looks like aside from what i have seen on tv :)
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
The circus can be a lot of fun.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6902)
• Pensacola, Florida
30 Jul 18
I love circuses but have only gone a couple of times when I was a child and I believe is was the Ringling Brothers whose winter headquarters was in South Florida..Sad that this circus had their last performance in May 2017 and I am thinking it won't be long til even the other circuses out there will fold too with animal right groups fighting to stop performances from wild animal acts.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jul 18
You're probably right. They were a lot of fun.
1 person likes this
@Icydoll (36713)
• India
30 Jul 18
I love watching circus..it was fun in childhood
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jul 18
I'm glad you had fun at the circus in your childhood.