3 Ring Circus (1954) starring Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Joann Dru, Zsa Zsa Gabor
In 3 Ring Circus, Jerry and Pete are two friends with no money, looking for a job. They finally find one as workers in a circus, but Jerry has different dreams. He wants to become a clown. … And Dean has his eyes on Zsa Zsa Gabor … and Joanne Dru!
Story
Fresh out of the Army, Jerry and Pete have found jobs with a circus … Sort of. Jerry wants to be a clown, but they don’t have any present openings. So he’s hired on as an apprentice lion tamer. But, he’ll be allowed to train as a clown for when there’s an opening. His friend, Pete, is somewhat unmotivated, and comes along. They both have to do whatever jobs need doing at the circus. Including, watering the elephants. Which, as you can see, is more being watered by the elephants.
There’s a fair amount of comedy, as the pair work in a variety of positions — spreading havoc as they go. Eventually, the star of the circus, Saadia (Zsa Zsa Gabor) decides to make Pete her personal plaything assistant. There’s a romantic triangle between Pete, Saadia, and Jill the lady circus owner/ringmaster. And conflict with the lead clown, Puffo, for Jerry …
Review
On the one hand, 3 Ring Circus is an enjoyable Martin & Lewis comedy. There’s lots of comedy moments with Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin croons beautifully. There’s even a fair amount of circus performance for circus fans. Having said that, I can see why Dean Martin didn’t want to continue his partnership with Jerry Lewis. Dean is nearly one of the villains of the movie. At one point, he “steals” the circus from the owner, Jill. Yes, a lot of his “villainy” is simply being misunderstood, but still …. 3 Ring Circus is nearly a Jerry Lewis movie, with Dean as supporting cast member. It was later re-cut and re-released as Jericho the Wonderful Clown, increasing Jerry’s role. And decreasing Dean’s.
One positive I will say for Dean’s character is that, through thick and thin, he supports Jerry. And defends him, physically when necessary.
Cast of characters
Dean Martin (The Stooge) as Pete Nelson.
Jerry’s buddy, who initially comes to join the circus because he has no other prospects. Once there, he begins falling in love with the circus owner, Jill. And, becomes the “plaything” for Saadia. Later, he implements “honest” gambling on the Midway to increase the circus’ income. Later, he takes over the circus …
Jerry Lewis (The Nutty Professor) as Jerry Hotchkiss.
Jerry has wanted to be a clown for as long as he can remember. And, discharged from the Army, he has a chance. He can join the circus as apprentice lion tamer …. And wait for an opening with the clowns. But Puffo is insecure and jealous …. When he gets his chance to perform as Jericho, he becomes the star of the show!
Joanne Dru (All the Kings Men) as Jill Brent.
Circus owner and ringmaster of the struggling circus. She’s attracted to Pete, but keeps misunderstanding his motivations.
Zsa Zsa Gabor (Lovely to Look At) as Saadia.
The high wire act, and chief attraction at the circus. And she knows it. And holds that over Jill’s head. Saadia gets what she wants, including Pete as her “assistant”. When Jericho becomes a hit, she also becomes insecure and jealous, and wants him fired. She and Jill get along like oil and water.
Wallace Ford (The Mummy’s Hand) as Sam Morley.
The circus manager, and Jill’s right-hand man.
Sig Ruman (A Night in Casablanca) as Colonel Fritz Schlitz, Lion Tamer.
A secondary character, in a very funny role! The lion tamer trying to train Jerry to be the apprentice lion tamer.
Gene Sheldon (Babes in Toyland) as Puffo the Clown.
The lead clown of the circus. Alcoholic, petty, belittling and insecure. He’s afraid of the new clown Jericho, and wants him fired.
Elsa Lanchester (The Inspector General) as The Bearded Lady.
A minor comedy appearance, as Jerry tries to shave off her beard!
Funny bits
- Dean having to pay back his various gambling debts on the way out of the Army.
- “Borrowing” the tall man’s coat to try & get breakfast at the circus.
- Hungry Jerry getting directions, via bacon.
- Jerry Lewis in the lion cage, trying to learn lion taming from Sig Ruman.
- Trying to help a drunken Puffo get dressed.
- The custard disaster (with Kathleen Freeman).
- Jerry Lewis carrying a unicycle up to the high wire.
- Jerry trying to shave the bearded lady (Elsa Lanchester)
- Very fun version of the “house on fire” circus sketch with Jerry and the circu clowns.
- Jericho and the monkeyshines (literally) at the benefit.
Songs
- Hey, Punchinello, by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, Performed by Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis
- It’s a Big, Wide Wonderful World, Written by John Rox, Performed by Dean Martin
- Time to Shave, Performed by Jerry Lewis
Editorial review of 3 Ring Circus courtesy of Amazon.com
Martin and Lewis play a couple of ex-GIs who use their discharge money to finance a trip to Florida, where Jerry Hotchkiss (Lewis) hopes to land a job as a circus clown. Pete Nelson (Martin) isn’t quite as ambitious, though he decides to stick around when he metes gorgeous circus owner Jill Brent (Joanne Dru). As they roll merrily on, Pete finds himself assisting temperamental aerialist Saadia (Zsa Zsa Gabor), while Jerry does his best (which is none too good) as the assistant to lion tamer Fritz Schlitz (Sig Ruman). When Puffo the Clown (Gene Sheldon) drinks himself into oblivion, Jerry takes Puffo’s place, proving his worth by getting a crippled child to laugh.