Go back to the time when the best form of entertainment was some guy risking his life in a tent.
From the mid-1800s all the way up to the 1950s, circuses were a favorite form of entertainment for audiences across America and Europe. For many, a big top tent was the only place to see extravagant performances, exotic animals and dangerous feats that were previously thought impossible. It was only with the rise of movies that circuses lost their top spot as the world’s favorite pastime.
Enjoy some vintage moments from some of the greatest shows on Earth before the big tent collapsed.
1
A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus
Circa 1930s
2
A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break
Berlin, 1921
3
The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard"
1928
4
Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants
1940
5
The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season
Sarasota, Florida. 1945
6
Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show
Circa 1930s
7
A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences
1906
8
Clowns Albert "Flo" White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera
Sarasota, Florida, 1945
9
The Ringling Bros ringmaster preparing the tent
Circa early 1900s
10
The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine
1944
11
Olga the lion tamer
Circa 1930s
12
A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees
Circa early 1900s
13
Family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire
Sarasota, Florida. 1930
14
Ringling Brothers Parade, New York City
Circa 1920s
15
Contortionist Salm the "elastic wonder of the world" sits atop a flower vase
Circa early 1900s
16
Two of Barnum & Bailey's most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko
1918
17
A clown from Hanneford's Canadian Circus shows off his "big pants."
1910
18
Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth
Circa 1930s
19
A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit
Circa 1940s
20
Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus
Sarasota, Florida 1940
21
Portrait of Circus Performers
Circa 1930
22
A trainer works with a camel at a circus
Slovenia, 1957
23
Clown Felix Adler
1940s
24
Clown Emmett Kelly Tramp
1940s
25
Alzanas Highwire performers
Ringling Circus, 1940s
26
Lou Dufour Circus Elephant Show
Circa 1930s
27
Coles Bros. Circus Circa
1920s
28
Johnny J. Jones Oriental and European Circus
1932
29
Lou Dufour Circus Lion and Tiger Show
Circa 1930s
30
High wire artistes The Wallendas performing death defying feats for crowds
Olympia Circus in London
31
Circus artist Fred Lony of Latvia balancing 22 chairs, each weighing nine pounds, between his teeth
Tom Arnold's Circus, Harringay, London
32
The Ghezzis, a comedy acrobatic team, perform at the Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia, London
18th December 1959
33
Under the spotlight in a circus ring two elephants balance on their hind legs
Circa 1930s
