Although bareback rider Mary Rainey frets over the overdue bills that have been incurred by the struggling Greater John T. Rainey Circus, a concern she inherited from her father, her fast-talking manager “Smiley” Johnson reassures her that her debts are easily overcome. Mary also receives encouragement from her sweetheart, Bud Conway, a neophyte circus employee, whose father owns half of Shrewsbury, the next town on the circus’ touring schedule. When the circus arrives in Shrewsbury, Smiley is confronted by Amos K. Shrewsbury, a simple but prosperous feed store owner to whom the circus owes $240. Using his skills as a confidence man, Smiley talks Amos into paying him $300 to become a partner in the circus, then gives the rube $240 of his own money as payment for the feed bill. Later, Smiley convinces Amos to invest an additional $4,700 in the failing circus and solves a lion feeding crisis by telling a group of children that if they bring him a pound of meat from home, they will receive free admission to the next performance. Bud then informs Mary that his parents are anxious to meet her and have planned a banquet in her honor. While Mary asks Smiley to the banquet, Bud, who hopes that his father will invest in the circus, invites several performers, including ringmaster Dalton. At the banquet, Smiley, who secretly loves Mary, conspires with Dave, the Shrewsbury dimwit, to mock his upper-class hosts. Infuriated by their guests’ outrageous behavior, the Conways storm from the dinner in a huff, and a humiliated Mary denounces Smiley. The next day, Mary fires Smiley and hires Dalton as her new manager, unaware that he and Foltz, the lion tamer, are plotting to take over the circus. Although a large crowd shows up at the circus that sunny afternoon, all of the ticket sales money is impounded by the Shrewsbury sheriff. Just as the show is to begin, Dalton and Foltz incite the performers, who have not been paid in four weeks, to strike. As Mary struggles to keep the audience in their seats, Smiley sees Bud, who was unable to extract any money from his parents, driving madly back to the circus. Moments after Mary signs Dalton’s agreement, however, Smiley arrives and rips up the contract. He then convinces some of the striking acts to go on without pay, while ordering other employees to give impromptu performances. Although Smiley and Dave’s acrobatic and juggling act is a hit, Dalton and Foltz agitate the audience to storm the ring. Soon a riotous confrontation ensues, and one of the tents is accidentally set on fire. As the fire jumps from tent to tent, Smiley rescues Mary, who has been caught in a tent rope, from the burning big top. The next day, Smiley, Amos and the decimated but still beating circus gather themselves together and, as the rain pours down, ride to their next engagement. More on Wikipedia or Mubi
Watch Rain or Shine (1930)
Rain or Shine (1930)
