El Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is known as the most famous circus in the world. Its history is marked by its ability to innovate, adapt to the times and continue to fascinate audiences for more than a century.
History of the most famous circus in the world
In this article we are going to learn the history of one of the famous circuses of the world… the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (official website).
Origins of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
The circus was born in 1919 after the merger of two entertainment giants: the Ringling Brothers Circus, founded in 1884 by the Ringling brothers, and the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which had been established in 1871 by the visionary entrepreneur P.T. Barnum and his partner James Anthony Bailey. Each of these circuses had already revolutionized entertainment in its own right: Barnum had popularized the concept of "freak shows," large-scale exhibitions of human and animal oddities, while the Ringlings introduced the logistics of moving the entire show by train, a key innovation that allowed the circus to travel great distances.
In 1919, the two companies joined forces to form what would become the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a show promoted as "the greatest on Earth." This combination ushered in a new era of success and fame for the circus, presenting a gigantic spectacle that toured the United States and other parts of the world. Under the leadership of the Ringling family, especially John Ringling, the company flourished and became a cultural institution.
The Golden Age and Decline of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
During the first half of the 20th century, the circus experienced its greatest boom. It used trains to transport both the artists and the animals and equipment, allowing it to put on massive shows in cities across the United States. It was a family event, full of acrobatics, clowns, exotic animals, and amazing juggling acts that captivated audiences.
However, with the advent of new forms of entertainment, such as film and television, the popularity of traveling circuses began to decline. By the 1950s, many began to question whether the circus had a viable future. This decline was exacerbated in later years, as public sensibilities toward the use of animals in performance began to change. Despite efforts to maintain its relevance, including several attempts to modernize the show, attendance began to decline.
The Resurgence with the Feld Family
In 1967, Irvin Feld and his family purchased the circus and began a series of changes that revitalized the brand. The Felds introduced innovations such as the creation of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, which improved the quality of the clowns and their artistic training. The show was also divided into two tours (the Red Tour and the Blue Tour), which allowed them to reach more cities and offer different versions of the show.
Despite these efforts, public pressure regarding the treatment of animals increased. In 2015, the circus announced that it would remove elephants from its shows due to criticism from animal rights groups. In 2017, following a steady decline in ticket sales and rising costs, the company decided to close the circus for good.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns in 2023
After several years of inactivity, in 2023, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced its return with a new vision: a show without animals, totally focused on human talent and cutting-edge technology. This new era of the circus promises to remain faithful to its legacy of spectacular visual entertainment, but now with a modern and ethical approach, adapted to the expectations of contemporary audiences.
This relaunch marks a significant transformation in the circus industry, where respect for animal rights has become essential, and where audiences are seeking more visual and immersive experiences, supported by technological advances. The Ringling Bros. show now promises to dazzle with breathtaking acrobatics, live music, and innovative visual effects, maintaining its place as one of the most important circuses in the world.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been a cultural institution for over 100 years, renowned for its ability to amaze and delight audiences of all ages. From its humble beginnings to its golden age and temporary closure, the circus's history reflects the evolving culture and expectations of entertainment. Now, with its 2023 revival, the company proves it still has much to offer, adapting to modern times and preparing to remain "the greatest show on Earth" in the 21st century.
Movies that have been inspired by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been a source of inspiration for numerous circus movies over the years, due to its iconic status in popular culture. Its mix of spectacle, emotion and human drama has served as the basis for stories that portray the world of the circus, the traveling life and the challenges behind the scenes. Below are some of the most notable films inspired by the circus:
1. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, this film is perhaps the most famous to portray the world of the circus, taking direct inspiration from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, the story follows the lives of circus workers and performers as they face various challenges, both personal and professional.
DeMille wanted to capture the grandeur of the world's most famous circus, and to do so he worked directly with Ringling Bros., allowing the actual circus to appear in the film. The production included genuine scenes of circus performances, giving it an air of authenticity. Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton and James Stewart led the cast.
2. The Greatest Showman (2017)
Although it doesn't focus entirely on Ringling Bros., The Greatest Showman is inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, one of the founders of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which would later merge with the Ringling Brothers Circus. Starring Hugh Jackman as Barnum, this musical film takes great artistic liberties in chronicling his rise in the world of circus entertainment. While it doesn't delve into the history of the circus as we know it today, it offers a colorful and optimistic look at the beginnings of mass entertainment in America.
3. Trapeze (1956)
Starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, and Gina Lollobrigida, "Trapeze" is another film that explores the world of the circus, though in this case, it focuses on the lives of trapeze artists. While not explicitly referencing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the film is clearly influenced by the popularity of these types of shows and portrays the tensions and drama that occur behind the scenes. Lancaster plays a retired trapeze artist who trains a young prodigy, and the plot revolves around their struggles and dreams within the circus world.
4. Jumbo (1962)
Based on the famous Broadway musical, "Jumbo" is partly inspired by the story of Jumbo the elephant, one of P.T. Barnum's most famous animals, whom he bought for his circus in the late 19th century. Starring Doris Day, the film focuses on the struggles of a family-run circus and the enormous elephant that gives the film its title. While not directly based on Ringling Bros., "Jumbo" references a significant icon of Barnum's circus.
5. Water for Elephants (2011)
Based on the novel of the same name by Sara Gruen, this film tells the story of a young boy who joins a circus during the Great Depression. Although the fictional circus in the film is not the Ringling Bros., many of the experiences and situations reflect the reality of the great traveling circuses of the time, including the use of animals as the main attraction. Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz star in this film that explores life behind the scenes and the human relationships in that world.
6. Freaks (1932)
This cult classic, directed by Tod Browning, offers a dark and fascinating portrayal of the circus world, focusing particularly on the so-called "freaks" who were an essential part of Barnum's shows. Although Ringling Bros. isn't explicitly mentioned, the film is clearly inspired by the kind of shows P.T. Barnum popularized in the 19th century. "Freaks" shows how these performers were exploited and treated as mere attractions, but it also provides a humanizing and empathetic perspective on their lives.
Over the years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring films ranging from major Hollywood productions to more intimate dramas that explore life behind circus shows. Whether through direct depictions or more abstract inspirations, the circus has been a rich source of cinematic stories.
What made the Ringling Circus so special?
What made it special Ringling Circus It was their ability to combine colossal logistics—they sometimes needed up to 100 train cars—with an unforgettable staging that included elephants, acrobats, tamers, clowns, and artists from all over the world.
El ringling Not only was it dazzling in scale, but also in its artistic ambition and cultural impact: it shaped the childhoods of generations and became a symbol of the golden age of the traditional American circus. It also knew how to adapt to the times, incorporating technological advances and new disciplines until its closure in 2017. Its legacy lives on as a historical benchmark for what a great circus could be.
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