'The Greatest Show on Earth' trivia and fun facts

The first movie that Steven Spielberg ever saw. His father took him to the theater, promising him a trip to the circus. He was six years old at the time.

James Stewart, as "Buttons, a clown", plays the entire movie in his clown makeup.

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope make a cameo on the film.

Cecil B. DeMille was always demanding of his actors and actresses. He insisted that everyone truly learn to perform the circus stunts they were supposed to be performing.

When Mary Pickford presented the film's producer-director Cecil B. DeMille with the Oscar for Best Picture (The 25th Annual Academy Awards (1953), Thursday, March 19, 1953), not only was it the first time the Academy Awards ceremonies had ever been televised, it was also Pickford's very first television appearance.