The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-03-27
Cecil B. DeMille's Cilded Glove
Handles Spectacular Production
c. Greatest Show On Earth

Scheduled For week Al
Monroe Theater, Packed
With Circus Highlights
f BY Dorothy Raymer
The term spectacular is vastly
over used in the descriptions OF all
sorts Of shows, but it is the only
one which fits the gilded glove
placed with lavish, loving and
sometimes ponderous caress on
epics produced Ey Cecil B. DeMil-
lie, that old master Of gorgeous,
mammoth" film epics. His latest
movie, presented this week at the
Mcnroe Theatre is no exception to
DeMille's golden rule; Give II
EVERYTHINGl That's what 1.-THE
Greatest Show On Earth" posses
ses in brilliant color, excitement,
variety, thrills. It's natural, since
the theme ltilizes the biggest spec
tacle in the show world, Ringing
Brothers and Barnum and Bailey
circus.
To get into the mood of the buoy
ant setting, the Carbcaell brothers
who manage the Monroe theatre,
added two high school boys dressed
in clown outfits with their features
skillfully painted in circus tradi-
ton. They circulate through the
crowds at the boxoffice. Drcyes of
moppets munchee popcorn and
carried balloons with them to en-
10y the opening matinee yesterday.
But the film isn't just for the
younger generation Anyc.1e who
has been enchanted with the blaze
Of action, color, sight and sound of
circus, will ehjoy the two hour
and SO minute pre-release of Par
amounts 1.-The Greatest Show On
Earth"
OF coarse the story has faults
and Betty Hutton's enthusiasm is
more than somewhat overwhelming
in proportion to her ability to act:
but the whole thing is still three
ring, giant-size entertainment for
all ages.
There are closeups Of performers
en- the lot and at winter quarters
in Sarasota, Fla, where most OF
the footage was lensed. The audi
,ence gets chance to watch the
mechanics of putting up the Big
Top: the rhythm of drivers,
the unrC.ling Of the enormous can
yass, the erection Of the big center
poles and all the other fascinating
procedures Of getting underway.
The authentic shots Of this provide
excellent character study although
it was probably unintentional in
some instances. The camera rovcs
and picks up crowd shots, too with
the same amusing result. Com
pletely intentional. and top laugh
OF the picture Is the sequence OF
popcorn chewing circus patrons,
among them those two old buttin-
sky's for sure-fire gags: Bing Cros.
by and Bob Hope, shown in a brief
flash seated in the crowd. They
will probably make a circus pic
ltnre Of their own as inspiration
since their familiar sidekick, Doro.
thy Lamour appears in the story
as a gun-chewing comedian singer
and styled hula dancer.
The pageant of the circus is there
IN full, gaudy, be-feathered, be.
spangled, bc.dazzled bewilderment
Nearly 10 circus acts are glimpsed
from short-necked sword swallow
ers through long-throatcd giraffes.
Seals, bears, the big cat cagers,
elephants, scores of beautiful hor-
ses and some beautiful girls Of the
famous rope-chorus. the fantastic
parades, the priceless funsters, the
clowns, including Emmett Kelly,
and even jean Ringing North him.
sell, owner Of the circus.
Of the Hollywood stars Cornell
Wilde as Sebastian. an aerialist.
not only steals the center ring at
tentlon in the circus. but steals he
acting honors for the movie. Run.
ner-up is James Stewart, recogniz.
able under his constant clown
makeup by tina, famous Pennsyl,
vania drawi He never takes his
paint off because he is a surgeon
wanted for an act-of- mercy killing
and is finally discovered by an f.
81. when he aids in a train wreck
disaster.
Charlton Heston. shark. mouthed
actor, chews off a bic chunk eli role
as the BOSNIAN Of the circus and
bidder for the affection of the
Queen of the Flying Trapeze play.
ed with bounce and swing by Bet.
relaxing much of the time in
Key West are harfi Nv,t,kiass l,,,,..