Soldiers run in foot race event as a part of army athletic activity. Men on horses along with the running soldiers are also seen. The track is muddy. Buildings and electric wire lines are seen in background.
People young and old in Nashville, Tennessee gather at a train station for the arrival of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus train. Scenes of children eagerly awaiting the train. The train arrives, with the circus name written on the side. A circus clown is seen. A handler helps unload an elephant as the sound of an elephant's trumpet is heard. Elephants with shiny circus harnesses and panels draped over their heads. A show host for the show "Ahora" addresses the audience in Spanish and previews the show to come, about the circus. Standard opening sequence for the series "Ahora" is shown. Name of director Roger Wilkinson is among credits.
Arrival of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in Nashville Tennessee. Documentary show host speaks in Spanish as he walks down a sidewalk, describing the circus. Preparations for the circus show. A train arrives carrying the circus. Elephants, clowns, circus performers, and handlers unloading equipment and animals from the train. Scenes in Waterloo, Iowa: Elephants linked trunk-to-trunk walking down the city street. Automobile traffic moves on the streets followed by elephants and horses. The elephants pass by bank building with sign "Waterloo Savings Bank". Exterior and interior views of a stadium or arena and preparations. Workmen setting up the circus stage inside the arena.
Montage of vintage scenes showing the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus in the United States. Circus tents being erected. Circus train in background with Barnum Bailey lettering seen on it. Aerial view of the "Big Top" circus tents. A strapped small dog moves on grass. Men sit outside tents and animal wagons are seen in the background. Group of men in indigineous tribal costumes. A woman climbs a horse. Men and women in costumes and animals move in a circus parade. Views of circus performing bears, giraffes, elephants, horses, dogs. Acrobatic artists perform on the trapeze. Dancers and performers in costume. Man crosses tightrope bouncing along on his head. A man on a trampoline. Two clowns in conversation.
Trapeze artists and technicians check the ropes and equipment of trapeze. The famous Gaona family trapeze artists are described by the narrator and shown.The show host interviews several trapeze artists like Victor Gaona, Chela Gaona, Armando Gaona and Lalo Murillo. People watch circus. Women wear ornate decorated dresses in elephant show. Elephants move in a circle. Trapeze artists perform. Clowns perform. Scenes of delighted children. Audience claps and cheers.
History of the circus in North America. Scenes of drawings, sketches, still photographs, and newspaper clippings regarding the circus. Cites George Washington donating a horse to the circus. Discussion of18th Century English circus organizer, John Bill Ricketts, and a newspaper clipping promoting his circus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sketch of his circus hall in Philadelphia. Scenes and information about P.T. Barnum and the famous elephant Jumbo, and singer Jenny Lind, known as "the Swedish Nightingale." Drawing of men with rings standing on stools. Drawing of a cab in front of a building. Promotional sign for the Central Park Menagerie and International Circus Company. Vintage footage with scenes of a Ringling Brother Barnum and Bailey circus train arriving in a city circa late 1920s, pulled by a steam locomotive. Circus performers. Crowds of circus visitors milling near a Side Shows entrance sign. A clown inflating the clothes of another clown to a giant size. Chimpanzee rides an elephant and a donkey stands near its foal. Lions, hippos, giraffes, dogs in the circus. Large crowd present during the circus viewing elephant, horse and lion show of the circus. Scenes of the circus parade processing around the big top tent. A tamer handling a female lion (tamer appears to be Clyde Beatty). A male lion walking on high wire parallel tightrope.
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