Super Circus

Super Circus was an American television program which aired live on Sunday afternoons from 5 to 6pm Eastern Time, from 1949 to 1956, on the American Broadcasting Company television network. The show originally was produced in Chicago, but production later moved to New York City. The award-winning show featured circus and clown acts performing in front of a studio audience. Mary Hartline and Claude Kirchner were the hosts (Jerry Colonna succeeded Kirchner as "Ringmaster" in the final New York season), and Bruce Chase conducted the band. Sponsors for the show including Kellogg's corn flakes, Mars, Inc. (Mars Bars, Snickers, 3 Musketeers) and Sweetheart Soap.

Hartline, known for her short skirts and long blonde hair, became one of television's first sex symbols, spawning merchandise such as dolls.

Kirchner would move to NYC..where he would host some local tv cartoon shows:"Terrytunes Circus", "Merrytunes Circus"and "The Scrub Club"..and a children's film anthology program"Super Adventure Theater"for WOR TV Ch.9 from 1956 to 1968.(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

He would also attemp to host two more circus orietened children's variety shows"Marx Magic Midway" ..which was seen saturday mornings on NBC TV from September 22,1962 to March,1963 and "The Bozo Show"/"Circus/Circus/Circus!"for WOR TV Ch.9 in NYC.The latter series was seen Weekday mornings and afternoons on Ch.9 from Monday February 3,1969 to 1970.(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

And featured actor/singer:Gordon Ramsey as"Bozo The Clown",character actor/producer and scripwriter:Earl George as"Snappy Pappy","Larry Loveless and"The Circus Boss"and Comic Actor/ Magician and dialectician:Tom Mahoney as"Prof.Tweetie Foofer","Grandma Nelly"and "Slim Jim".(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

Kirchner briefly served as the ringmaster/announcer for"The Bozo Show".(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

Hartline would host her own children's tv series"The Mary Hartline Show"..which was seen on The ABC TV Network in 1951 and "Princess Mary's Castle"..the latter series was seen weekday mornings locally on WBKB(WLS)TV Ch.7 in the Chicago,Ill. viewing area during the 1954 tv season.(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

Nicky Francis would also host his own kids tv shows The WBKB TV Ch.7 Chicago,Ill, version of"Time For Fun"weekday afternoons during the 1953 tv season and"Nicky The Clown".Which was seen weekday evenings in the Miami,Fl. viewing in 1960.(Mr.Nost (talk) 22:06, 22 July 2010 (UTC))7/22/10

Episode status

A small number of episodes survive in film archives and private collections.

DVD release

A DVD containing 6 episodes was released on October 28, 2008 by Alpha Video

See also

• Captain Video and His Video Rangers
• Howdy Doody
• Ding Dong School
• The Magic Clown