The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 American Technicolor epic drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and released by Paramount Pictures. Set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the film stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde as trapeze artists competing for the center ring and Charlton Heston as the circus manager. James Stewart also stars as a mysterious clown who never removes his makeup, and Dorothy Lamour and Gloria Grahame also play supporting roles. Best Picture at the 25th Academy Awards, March 19, 1953 — hosted by Bob Hope and Conrad Nagel at Pantages Theatre / NBC International Theatre. 40 million US viewers. Most awards that night: The Bad and the Beautiful. Wiki link Wiki link Poster: TMDB (this product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB).