Um menino observa um circo ser construído do lado de fora da janela de seu quarto. Assim começa a "docu-comédia" de Federico Fellini, uma ode pessoal a uma de suas grandes obsessões.
Charlie, a very gifted, young acrobat, cannot find employment. A dancer and colleague, whom he trained, has gotten him a job as a stagehand at a vaudeville theatre. After a number of chaotic events and some highs and lows - none of which ever discourage him - his hour arrives: an act can't go on and "Akrobat schööön" can finally make his grand entrance.
