The Circus Clown 1934

Happy Howard, Joe E. Brown secretly trains as a circus clown, following in his father’s footsteps even though his dad has left the show and strongly discourages him from chasing the same path. When the circus comes to town, Happy runs away with it, taking menial jobs while hoping for a chance to perform in front of a crowd. He becomes drawn to Alice Madison, Patricia Ellis a young aerialist who brings a sense of daring to the act, and she also helps care for her nephew Dickie Madison, Ronnie Cosby while supporting her alcoholic brother Frank Madison, Gordon Westcott as he tries to rebuild his life after the loss of his wife.

Alice, Patricia Ellis, arranges for a place in her aerial act for her alcoholic brother Frank Madison, Gordon Westcott, who is recovering from the loss of his wife, and helps take care of her nephew Dickie Madison, Ronnie Cosby.

On the day of the aerial act’s first performance, Happy catches Frank drinking. In a moment of bravado, he pretends the liquor is his own and drinks it all. The circus owner discovers him intoxicated and fires him, leaving him rejected by the very circle he hoped to join. He returns home to face his father’s disappointed gaze and to reckon with the consequences of his choices.

He reads in the newspaper that Alice has become a big star, a turn of events that both stings and motivates him to prove himself. Driven by a stubborn resolve, he returns to the circus to win her back and explain what happened. When he arrives, he finds the brothers’ tensions flare; a fight erupts between Happy and Frank, and Happy ends up knocking Frank out and stepping into the role his brother lost, taking his place in the show.

To the delight of his father in the audience, Happy delivers a big, triumphant performance, and Alice forgives him.