This is a marvelous film! The most amazing personality to every entertain the masses. Lancaster's performance is truly exceptional. I am certain that Vince McMahon and Dana white ( along with many others) have studied this remarkable showman. The showman of all showman.
One of Mr. Lancaster's most enjoyable movies, worthy of theatrical release. Mr. Lancaster obviously took great delight in playing P.T. Barnum. I never realized that Mr. Barnum formed his circus relatively late in life. I was also ignorant of the fact that Mr. Barnum had such a great variety of other interests throughout his life. A fascinating person.
barnum was a greedy, conniving, dishonest person... my grand dad was one of his bond servants (unless you WERE one, then you were a bond slave) for 5 years (& he learned barnum's ways. it scarred him so badly that his own kids said they could not remember him ever smiling. gruff & deceitful...). he was one of the elephant water boys from age 13 to 18. imagine how much water those kids had to carry every day & maybe into the night. free labor...
A very well done movie sort of documentary, the part of Barnum played so well by Burt Lancaster. I was actually there on the set of the movie, for a week, assisting with set decoration, in Montreal. It was a thrill. Because I was a circus fan, Mr. Lancaster invited me into his motor home and we had a chat of about a half hour. He wanted to talk "circus" as that was what we had in common as fans. Mr. Lancaster's first job was as a circus acrobat and he spoke of it fondly. Upon leaving his motorhome he encouraged me to approach his fans who were standing behind fencing nearby.... That didn't care that I was NOT Mr. Lancaster... I approached and they reached out for an autograph. Mr. Lancaster had told me to expect that and he said "Go ahead and sign...they'll love it!" So I did and they did LOVE it! I signed about a dozen books or whatever they had....and turned around and looked back....and there was Mr. Lancaster in the window grinning and giving me a thumbs up! To this day I wonder if those folks knew I was nothing but a fan, like them, but Mr. Lancaster said I shouldn't explain...."just sign" he said.....
lovely! have you seen the Flame and the Arrow? he and Nick Cravat look like they never stopped practicing, and that movie was done 20 years after their circus went broke.
And you know he was just living the part as he played it, coming so long after his years in the circus with Nick Cravat as his acrobatic partner. Lancaster can always convey volumes with his eyes and I loved the look of shock when the doorman guesses that Jenny Lind is a dancer.
After reading extensively about the “freaks” of Barnum’s circus, the ones who were in his shows actually had a good life compared to others ho were locked in attics, exploited, etc. Barnum paid his performers well. They traveled in private train cars, worked a few hours a day, well-fed, and some have their own fans. Many retired and bought land and lived out their lives in comfort-when few could retire.
If P.T.Barnum can see the future of his circus he'd roll over in his grave 🪦he wanted a show for the ages for the families of the world 🌎 gone after 164 years I've always loved seeing it but watching this movie 🎥 brings back lots of memories
In Hartford, Connecticut, a fire breaks out under the big top of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, killing 167 people and injuring 682. This chaos was in 1944! Several of the operators were arrested! They failed to mention this in this video! Its not all fun and games! ugh
this movie is about PT Barnum telling his life story. he died in 1891, so it makes sense that he can't talk about a disaster that hadn't happened yet at that time. unless he had a crystal ball and could see into the future, but I don't think so.
The movie brings out many interesting facts about P. T. Barnum. His Museum, Jenny Lind the singer from Sweden, Tom Thumb and of course his purchase of Jumbo the elephant star of his Circus called the Greatest Show on Earth.
He was lucky to be born into the early America that had real liberty. Today, he'd be arrested for running his own lottery. He also did all of his managing of acts BEFORE income tax was passed in 1913.
27:40 "Of gold and silver I have none, but brass I have aplenty. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice." Except no it isn't. William Shakespeare never said that. It's an amazing quote though. Does anyone know who actually said it?
@@davidw.robertson448That reminds me that Oral Roberts called Kenny Copeland to his ‘stage’ and quipped ‘silver and gold have we plenty’. Plenty of brass to mock the apostles, too.
another great movie of another great American Legend. Michael Crawford was also a great Banun, but he sang too much. I like Burt's Barnum better. thanks for posting.
@@Babararoot55 Hey Victoria! Nice of you to drop a line! I hope you enjoyed the movie. I did. I'm always hunting for good movies to watch. Any suggestions?
i read that lancaster as a trapeze performer before he went into acting. where he evidently did some of his own stunts... barnum was a greedy, conniving, dishonest person who suckered mr olmstead into taking his tiny ivy "island" as collateral on a museum deal... my grand dad was one of his bond servants (unless you WERE one, then you knew you were a bond 'slave') for 5 years (& he learned barnum's ways. it scarred him so badly that his own kids said they could not remember him ever smiling. gruff & deceitful...). he was one of the elephant water boys from age 13 to 18. imagine how much water those kids had to carry every day & maybe into the night. free labor...
As P.T. Barnum said: "Never give a sucker an even break" and "There's one born every minute". and "No one ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the American public". 😄
This is a marvelous film! The most amazing personality to every entertain the masses. Lancaster's performance is truly exceptional. I am certain that Vince McMahon and Dana white ( along with many others) have studied this remarkable showman. The showman of all showman.
I was 11 years old when I was in this film. I am the kid at 1:20 yelling circus...lol
Fun times!!!
Lancaster at his best yet again, what a thoroughly enjoyable film. Thank you for sharing it with us.
One of Mr. Lancaster's most enjoyable movies, worthy of theatrical release. Mr. Lancaster obviously took great delight in playing P.T. Barnum. I never realized that Mr. Barnum formed his circus relatively late in life. I was also ignorant of the fact that Mr. Barnum had such a great variety of other interests throughout his life. A fascinating person.
Do your research on PT, not a good human being
barnum was a greedy, conniving, dishonest person... my grand dad was one of his bond servants (unless you WERE one, then you were a bond slave) for 5 years (& he learned barnum's ways. it scarred him so badly that his own kids said they could not remember him ever smiling. gruff & deceitful...). he was one of the elephant water boys from age 13 to 18. imagine how much water those kids had to carry every day & maybe into the night. free labor...
I remember watching and loving this movie as a kid . Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for uploading this, 30+ years ago I fell in love with this movie and never found it since. Thank you 😊
A very well done movie sort of documentary, the part of Barnum played so well by Burt Lancaster. I was actually there on the set of the movie, for a week, assisting with set decoration, in Montreal. It was a thrill. Because I was a circus fan, Mr. Lancaster invited me into his motor home and we had a chat of about a half hour. He wanted to talk "circus" as that was what we had in common as fans. Mr. Lancaster's first job was as a circus acrobat and he spoke of it fondly. Upon leaving his motorhome he encouraged me to approach his fans who were standing behind fencing nearby.... That didn't care that I was NOT Mr. Lancaster... I approached and they reached out for an autograph. Mr. Lancaster had told me to expect that and he said "Go ahead and sign...they'll love it!" So I did and they did LOVE it! I signed about a dozen books or whatever they had....and turned around and looked back....and there was Mr. Lancaster in the window grinning and giving me a thumbs up! To this day I wonder if those folks knew I was nothing but a fan, like them, but Mr. Lancaster said I shouldn't explain...."just sign" he said.....
lovely! have you seen the Flame and the Arrow? he and Nick Cravat look like they never stopped practicing, and that movie was done 20 years after their circus went broke.
@@patriciaheil6811More like 10 years.
Enjoyed the movie,history and the ability to organize all the gifts of the world , including the talent of Burt Lancaster .
And you know he was just living the part as he played it, coming so long after his years in the circus with Nick Cravat as his acrobatic partner. Lancaster can always convey volumes with his eyes and I loved the look of shock when the doorman guesses that Jenny Lind is a dancer.
Wonderful movie! I Pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that PT Barnum have a More spectacular Circus in heaven for all of us to enjoy one day!!!
I hope he does! That would be wonderful 😃
I am 63years old still love circus like a baby.
A Lovely film
great flick
wow ! what a character . todays influencers n marketing gurus pale in front of this man .H
e had guts n gumption .
After reading extensively about the “freaks” of Barnum’s circus, the ones who were in his shows actually had a good life compared to others ho were locked in attics, exploited, etc. Barnum paid his performers well. They traveled in private train cars, worked a few hours a day, well-fed, and some have their own fans. Many retired and bought land and lived out their lives in comfort-when few could retire.
If P.T.Barnum can see the future of his circus he'd roll over in his grave 🪦he wanted a show for the ages for the families of the world 🌎 gone after 164 years I've always loved seeing it but watching this movie 🎥 brings back lots of memories
Cool movie
This is a great movie. Shame the days of network movies are a thing of the past.
In Hartford, Connecticut, a fire breaks out under the big top of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, killing 167 people and injuring 682. This chaos was in 1944! Several of the operators were arrested! They failed to mention this in this video! Its not all fun and games! ugh
this movie is about PT Barnum telling his life story. he died in 1891, so it makes sense that he can't talk about a disaster that hadn't happened yet at that time. unless he had a crystal ball and could see into the future, but I don't think so.
lol you're a special person. clearly you don't pay attention. that was past his life time. that was under whoever else lol. what a noob
Barnum (TV Movie 1986) / 6.4
The amazing biography of legendary circus impresario and unparalleled showman, P.T. Barnum.
Thank you 🤩🤩💖
My mama went with me to their show 2 or 3 x ...in Fulda, germany, hooah !
The movie brings out many interesting facts about P. T. Barnum. His Museum, Jenny Lind the singer from Sweden, Tom Thumb and of course his purchase of Jumbo the elephant star of his Circus called the Greatest Show on Earth.
Que lindo filme e que linda mensagem. Abraços do Brasil.
He was lucky to be born into the early America that had real liberty. Today, he'd be arrested for running his own lottery. He also did all of his managing of acts BEFORE income tax was passed in 1913.
i mean he passed away before that so your point is moot.
@@tenin982000 You missed the point. The point is it was easier to accumulate wealth in your lifetime before the income tax.
27:40 "Of gold and silver I have none, but brass I have aplenty. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice." Except no it isn't. William Shakespeare never said that. It's an amazing quote though. Does anyone know who actually said it?
@@MyDsmall That is kind of what I thought too. I even found the original writer's Facebook and asked him. But he did not reply.
"Then Peter said , Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk ." (Acts 3:6)
@@davidw.robertson448That reminds me that Oral Roberts called Kenny Copeland to his ‘stage’ and quipped ‘silver and gold have we plenty’. Plenty of brass to mock the apostles, too.
another great movie of another great American Legend.
Michael Crawford was also a great Banun, but he sang too much. I like Burt's Barnum better.
thanks for posting.
I liked how Jenny Linn refused to let Barnum take advantage of her.
In what way did Barnum try to take advantage of Jenny?
but the Greatest Show on Earth end in 2017 after 146 years
I seldom watch movies, but when I do, it's going to be Lee Marvin or Burt Lancaster!
There is a Utube book from the creator of the circus.
Isn't this 1986 because Burt Lancaster died in 1994...
Yes..the CBS TV movie bio about P.T.Barnum..that starred Burt Lancaster did air..in the fall of 1986..Chaloner.
@Janitor Queen lol edited..
Never knew Barnum was a cradle robber
He was born in my city
Were the public really so enthraled with Tom Thumb?
Apparently so. It was tabloid fodder.
Greatly enthralled at that time...worldwide.
@@Babararoot55 Hey Victoria! Nice of you to drop a line! I hope you enjoyed the movie. I did. I'm always hunting for good movies to watch. Any suggestions?
Vern Troyer, was pretty cool to meet, for me. Nice guy. RIP, Vern
He met the Queen of England, if I recall.
i read that lancaster as a trapeze performer before he went into acting. where he evidently did some of his own stunts...
barnum was a greedy, conniving, dishonest person who suckered mr olmstead into taking his tiny ivy "island" as collateral on a museum deal... my grand dad was one of his bond servants (unless you WERE one, then you knew you were a bond 'slave') for 5 years (& he learned barnum's ways. it scarred him so badly that his own kids said they could not remember him ever smiling. gruff & deceitful...). he was one of the elephant water boys from age 13 to 18. imagine how much water those kids had to carry every day & maybe into the night. free labor...
He was born in my town. Its a shame his circus went defunct
👍
As P.T. Barnum said: "Never give a sucker an even break" and "There's one born every minute". and "No one ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the American public". 😄
"Never give a sucker ..." is attributed to W C Fields.
the quote attributed to barnum (falsely, by rival adam forepaugh) is "there's a sucker born every minute").
so does it matter that burt looks like laurence olivier?
He was born in my city
He was born in my city