A circus owner hires a celebrated trapeze artist to perform with his girlfriend as the star attraction - leading to bitter rivalry in the air and sexual tension on the ground. Meanwhile, a clown tries to keep his past a secret, and racketeers prepare to muscle in on the concessions. Cecil B DeMille's Oscar-winning drama, starring Charlton Heston, Cornel Wilde, Betty Hutton and James Stewart.

To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.