The Greatest Show on Earth

Season

1963

7.7

Johnny Slate is the big boss who successfully keeps the circus running as it moves from town to town. He manages to deal with the unexpected frequently and uses Otto King, the accountant, as a sounding board.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Lion on Fire

S1 • E2

Silent Love, Secret Love

S1 • E3

No Middle Ground for Harry Kyle

S1 • E4

Don't Look Down, Don't Look Back

When young Vito wants to quit his family's trapeze act his father Cesare threatens to disown him.

S1 • E5

Garve

A bareback rider risks his marriage and his job with Slate's circus to settle an old grudge when the circus stops at his hometown.

S1 • E6

The Loser

S1 • E7

Uncaged

S1 • E8

The Circus Never Came to Town

S1 • E9

An Echo of Faded Velvet

When Slate buys five horses from the Duval Plantation he is unaware of the decline of the prestigious, family empire and that Warren Duval is planning revenge.

S1 • E10

The Hanging Man

Gus Trikonis is head of a family of circus aerialists but is jealous of his son Christo's talent. He refuses to share any glory leading to resentment so Christo, for revenge, makes a play for his father's girlfriend Alicia.

S1 • E11

Leaves in the Wind

S1 • E12

The Wrecker

S1 • E13

Lady in Limbo

Johnny Slate (Jack Palance) is trying to decide which act to send to Russia for a cultural exchange program with the Moscow Circus. Horse trainer Kate Reynolds (Lucille Ball) wants the coveted spot. Menagerie feeder Charles is mauled by one of Kirov's trained bears and dies, leaving his young son Jeff alone in the circus. Coldy ambitious Kate takes care of the boy until Slate locates his Aunt Agatha, a spinster living near Washington DC. Jeff wants to stay with Kate and their separation is surprisingly difficult for her. Kate reveals to Slate that she was a 17 year-old widow with a child on the way, but that she lost the baby. Unhappy, Jeff runs away from his Aunt and returns to the circus in hides with the help of Kirov. Kate and Agatha agree that Jeff belongs with the circus and Kate will be his guardian.

S1 • E14

A Black Dress for Gina

S1 • E15

Where the Wire Ends

S1 • E16

Corsicans Don't Cry

S1 • E17

Big Man from Nairobi

S1 • E18

The Show Must Go on - To Orange City

Slate has a show ready to open but the only arena is book by socialite Lucy Carroll for a charity event. Despite a plea from Slate she refuses to switch date to allow the traveling show to open.

S1 • E19

A Place to Belong

A former European circus director is hired by Johnny Slate.

S1 • E20

Man in a Hole

S1 • E21

Clancy

Mike O'Kelley refuses to replace the aging horse that leads the family equestrian act - even though the animal has become dangerous.

S1 • E22

The Last of the Strongmen

S1 • E23

The Night the Monkey Died

Of Blood, Sawdust, and a Bucket of Tears

S1 • E24

Of Blood, Sawdust, and a Bucket of Tears

S1 • E25

Rosetta

A young freelance veterinarian wants to purchase Rosetta, the circus elephant, who he claims is dying.

S1 • E26

The Glorious Days of the Used to Be

S1 • E27

Love the Giver

This Train Don't Stop Till It Gets There

S1 • E28

This Train Don't Stop Till It Gets There

There Are No Problems, Only Opportunities

S1 • E29

There Are No Problems, Only Opportunities

S1 • E30

You're All Right, Ivy

A young runaway named Ivy Hatch decides to join the circus though she has no special skill or training. Meanwhile Slate must contend with the son of a recently deceased ringmaster of the circus when a provision in the will states he must work in the circus for six weeks before receiving his inheritance.