The Greatest Show on Earth
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.
- 1963-1964
- 1 season
- ABC
- Drama, Family
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.
Season 1 Episode Guide
30 Episodes 1963 - 1964
Episode 1
Lion on Fire
Tue, Sep 17, 1963 60 mins
Episode 2
Silent Love, Secret Love
Tue, Sep 24, 1963 60 mins
Episode 3
No Middle Ground for Harry Kyle
Tue, Oct 1, 1963 60 mins
Episode 4
Don't Look Down, Don't Look Back
Tue, Oct 8, 1963 60 mins
When young Vito wants to quit his family's trapeze act his father Cesare threatens to disown him.
Episode 5
Garve
Tue, Oct 15, 1963 60 mins
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.
Episode 6
The Loser
Tue, Oct 22, 1963 60 mins
Episode 7
Uncaged
Tue, Oct 29, 1963 60 mins
Episode 8
The Circus Never Came to Town
Tue, Nov 5, 1963 60 mins
Episode 9
An Echo of Faded Velvet
Tue, Nov 12, 1963 60 mins
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.
Episode 10
The Hanging Man
Tue, Nov 19, 1963 60 mins
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.
Episode 11
Leaves in the Wind
Tue, Nov 26, 1963 60 mins
Episode 12
The Wrecker
Tue, Dec 3, 1963 60 mins
Episode 13
Lady in Limbo
Tue, Dec 10, 1963 60 mins
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.
Episode 14
A Black Dress for Gina
Tue, Dec 17, 1963 60 mins
Episode 15
Where the Wire Ends
Tue, Jan 7, 1964 60 mins
Episode 16
Corsicans Don't Cry
Tue, Jan 14, 1964 60 mins
Episode 17
Big Man from Nairobi
Tue, Jan 21, 1964 60 mins
Episode 18
The Show Must Go on - To Orange City
Tue, Jan 28, 1964 60 mins
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.
Episode 19
A Place to Belong
Tue, Feb 11, 1964 60 mins
A former European circus director is hired by Johnny Slate.
Episode 20
Man in a Hole
Tue, Feb 18, 1964 60 mins
Episode 21
Clancy
Tue, Feb 25, 1964 60 mins
Mike O'Kelley refuses to replace the aging horse that leads the family equestrian act - even though the animal has become dangerous.
Episode 22
The Last of the Strongmen
Tue, Mar 3, 1964 60 mins
Episode 23
The Night the Monkey Died
Tue, Mar 10, 1964 60 mins
Episode 24
Of Blood, Sawdust, and a Bucket of Tears
Tue, Mar 17, 1964 60 mins
Episode 25
Rosetta
Tue, Mar 24, 1964 60 mins
A young freelance veterinarian wants to purchase Rosetta, the circus elephant, who he claims is dying.
Episode 26
The Glorious Days of the Used to Be
Tue, Mar 31, 1964 60 mins
Episode 27
Love the Giver
Tue, Apr 7, 1964 60 mins
Episode 28
This Train Don't Stop Till It Gets There
Tue, Apr 14, 1964 60 mins
Episode 29
There Are No Problems, Only Opportunities
Tue, Apr 21, 1964 60 mins
Episode 30
You're All Right, Ivy
Tue, Apr 28, 1964 60 mins
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.