Barnum the musical traces Phineas Taylor Barnum's career from 1835 to 1881 when he joined James A. Bailey to form the circus which was called The Greatest Show on Earth. Barnum is a defender of "the noble art of humbug" with a philosophy, and has a free wheeling ambition to make a fortune. He buys the oldest woman in the world, named Joyce Heath, as a sideshow attraction. Barnum builds a museum of curiosities supported by his wife Charity, who would like him to settle down. Written by Jenny Evans

Phineas T. Barnum looks back at his life, starting when he is just a little boy. The movie shows how he muddled through his life and how he finally became a successful circus-master. But to get there he had to risk everything he had and show enormous courage. Written by R. Kessen