3 Ring Circus (Jerrico, the Wonder Clown) (1954)

25% want to see it
(42 ratings)

According to some eyewitness reports, the feud between Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis was at its peak during the filming of Three Ring Circus. Other observers have noted that the boys behaved with thorough professionalism throughout the shoot. Whatever the case, the film offers a comparatively relaxed… More According to some eyewitness reports, the feud between Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis was at its peak during the filming of Three Ring Circus. Other observers have noted that the boys behaved with thorough professionalism throughout the shoot. Whatever the case, the film offers a comparatively relaxed Martin and Lewis, wandering through a thinnish plot with amiable finesse. The boys play a couple of ex-GIs who use their discharge money to finance a trip to Florida, where Jerry Hotchkiss (Lewis) hopes to land a job as a circus clown. Pete Nelson (Martin) isn't quite as ambitious, though he decides to stick around when he meets gorgeous circus owner Jill Brent (Joanne Dru). As the plot rolls merrily on, Pete finds himself assisting temperamental aerialist Saadia (Zsa Zsa Gabor), while Jerry does his best (which is none too good) as the assistant to lion tamer Schlitz (Sig Ruman). When Puffo the Clown (Gene Sheldon) drinks himself into oblivion, Jerry takes Puffo's place, proving his worth by getting a crippled child to laugh. The songs are mostly forgettable, with the exception of the now-standard "It's a Great, Wide, Wonderful World." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Joseph Pevney
Genres: Comedy

Critic Reviews

Phil Hall, Film Threat
Martin and Lewis at their worst.

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Cast

            Dean Martin as Pete Nelson

            Jerry Lewis as Jerry Hotchkiss

            Joanne Dru as Jill Brent

            Zsa Zsa Gabor as Saadia

            Elsa Lanchester as Bearded Lady

            Wallace Ford as Sam Morley

            Sig Rumann as Schlitz

            Nick Cravat as Timmy

            George Boyce
            
            Sue Casey as Snake Charmer

            Chick Chandler as Pitchman

            Billy Curtis
            
            Sandy Descher
            
            Milton Dickinson
            
            Lester Dorr
            
            Joe Evans
            
            Kathleen Freeman
            
            Al Hill
            
            Donald Kerr
            
            Mary L. Orosco as Fat Lady

            Ralph Peters as Chef

            Gene Sheldon as Puffo

            George E. Stone
            
            Philip Van Zandt as Johnny

            Frederick E. Wolfe as Giant

            Jim Davies
            
            Douglas Fowley as Payroll Official

            Robert McKibbon
            
            Louis Lettieri
            
            Harry Monty
            
See full cast

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