Number 44 November 1,1982

CONGRATULATIONS TOLAS VEGAS ENTERTAINERS Of THE YEAR

SIEGFRIED and ROY

VOTED BY READERS OF THELOS ANGELES HERALD EXAMINER

East Coast Newsby FRANK D. ROBIE

United Press carried the news world-widerecently when aerialist Phillippe Petit walk-ed the tightwire 150 ft above AmsterdamAve. in New York City to publicize and as-sist in the resumption of work on the Ca-thedral of St John the Divine, After 41 yrs,construction will resume on the world's lar-gest Gothic Cathedral and Mr. Petit carrieda silver trowel to the roof for the laying ofa stone which was a gift from the city of .Jeruselam.

New York City street juggler, David Cul-len and wife Mary-Lynn have prepared atwo-person show which will open Nov. 19,at the Open Gate Theatre, located at 29thStreet, east of 1st Ave., New York City. Intheir revue, Mary-Lynn and David combinemultiple talents skillfully and you will findfamilar tunes, original material, beautifulvocals, exciting juggling and charmingspoofs.

F. Beverly Kelley will have a new bookon the circus out about the first of theyear. Bill Ballantine is doing the dust jac-ket for it.

Michael Chirrick joined the Harlem Globe-trotters on Oct. 8th, when they opened inHalifax, Nova Scotia, for the season.Washington lawyer Frank Ball will be the

toastmasterforthe 1983 CFA Conventionfinal banquet, to be held in Philadelphia onJuly 16th. When it comes to speech makingLawyer Ball is a giant in his profession.10 - Count them -10 clowns will used Dec.

11th in Paramus, NJ, when Ted ChirrickProductions provides entertainment for theannual IBM Children's Party. Over 40 yearsexperience with Polack Bros. Circus, withtraining and tutelage from circusdom'sLouis Stern and Howard Suez, Mr. Chirrick

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brings skills to the Metropolitan area in aformat which will prove worth watching.Chirr ick's mall Mini-Circus was the best thisarea has ever seen, which resulted in the in-quiry from IBM and others. In the parlanceof circus annunciators - WATCH HIM!!Mr. and Mrs. John Tiny' Phillips, journey-

ed to Middletown. NY, to visit with the Al-bert Rix family. Mr. Rix hopes to sell hisanimal farm and move to Pigeon Forge,Tennin the near future, where he will establish another tourist site. Rix has 34 bears of var-ious kinds at this time.

Middy Streeter's Circus Cookbook, whichmay not be the title, will be going to pressat the end of October. Uncopyrighted andoriginal art will be featured in this unusualcookbook. A limited edition of 500 will beprinted. Look for it

Jersey fans are anxiously waiting for Ring-ling Blue to return to the area. The show isgoing to play Brendan Byrne Arena com-mencing Nov. 17th.

Under what luck dept. Recently at a housesale, a 1929 Ringling Bros.-Bamum & Baileyprogram surfaced. The next week at a streetfair a 1928 program showed up. If the pur-chase price were revealed, strong men wouldfaint.

Variety ActsVariety acts on tour with Harlem Globe-

trotters include: Vincent Bruce, Englishrope spinner; The Anastini Brothers, Ital-ian risley acrobats; Barrett Felker, jugglerand Michael Chirrick and Karen, jugglingduo.

All acts are booked through Simone Fin-ner Enterprises, Hollywood based theatri-cal agency specializing in novelty acts.

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Show DatesBeany-Cole Circus

Nov l -2 Ocala. Fla.3*4 St. Augustine5-6 So. Daytona

Brickie's Wonderland Rev.Nov 1 Bishopville, SC

2 Winnsboro3 Kingstree4 Summation5 Cades6 Hollywood

Carson & Barnes CircusOct. 31 Dallas. Texas

- End of Season -

Castle Int'l CircusNov 5-7 Chattanooqajenn

- End of Season —

Circus KmeNov 2-3 Ostbahnhof P.Swt

4-7 Com. de Perolles

Circus OdysseyNov 4-7 Baltimore, Md.

Ford Bros. CircusNovl Newkirk, Okla.

2 Tishmingo3 Whitesboro, Texas4 Italy5 Roseland6 La Grange7 Hockley

- End of Season -

No Elephant CircusNov 6 Manchester, N.H.

Ringlintj- Barnum - BlueNov 2-14 Chicago. III.

Ringling-Barnum - RedNov 4-7 Pittsburgh. Pa.

Texas Shrine CircusNov 4-13 Ft. Worth, Tex.

... OTHER DATES••

James H. Drew Expositionto Nov. 6 Augusta, Ga.

- End of Season -

Garray & TomioNov 2-14 Los Ang., Calif.

Grand Nationalsto Nov 7 San Fran, Calif.

Litli-Anna and LeopardsNov 4-7 Baltimore, Md.

Schlarbaum's Show BandNov 6 Charleston.SC

7 Miami, Fla.

Scott's Medicine ShowNov 1 Jackson, Mich

2 Port Huron3 Chesaning4 Boyne City5 Ludington6 Evart7 Saugatuck

• • M A G I C • -

Pf. Miller-Magic Time USANov 2 Mt. Home, Idaho

3 Twin Falls4 Jerome5 Pocatah6 Blackfoot

Dr. Now's Magic CircusNov. 2 Oakland, Calif.

Wow! I thought I was goingto get some rest between theshows today. Then the bosscame along and said I'd haveto help blow up balloons. Heexpects a big crowd for thesecond show.

There just never seems tobe any rest around this show.

Besides, it isn't all bad. Thereis a guy concessionaire acrossthe midway and maybe byworking here he'll notice littleol' me.

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FORD BROS. CIRCUS • KODIAKP. O. Box 7099 - Cut and Shoot, Texas - 77303

800 - 824 - 7888, Ext. M 4260CAN PLACE: 2 PHONE PROMOTERS; 2 CLOWNS;

ALSO MUSICIANS - Trumpet, Sax, Drummer for 1983 SEASON

Early Winter?Signs of an early winter were very much

in sight as the Ringlinq Blue Unit train mov-ed east after completing its west coast tour.There are those who say this winter is notonly going to be a long one, but that it isalso going to be a severe one.

As the train moved through Idaho on Sept30th, there was snow everywhere. As theshow moved out of Salt Lake City they en-countered rain and snow, and heavy snowwas reported at Rawlins, Wyom., where thecircus train made a mid-day water stop.

As the train pulled into Denver a heavyrain was falling, which was followed bysome heavy snows. Despite the bad weath-er, which closed some mountain roads, thecircus enjoyed virtually sold out houses foreach performance, in a building that seatsapproximately 10,000 people.

The Christmas issueof Circus Report willbe dated Dec. 20th.

If you want specialgreeting ads in thatissue we will acceptcopy up to aboutDec. 1st. Better rushyour order in now!

Convict Shipby BILL WOTSCH

In the March 29,1982, issue of Circus Re-port, Harry Jenkins asks, "I wonder wherethat old sailing vessel (convict ship) is now?'A cove east of Port Clinton, Ohio, is the

resting place of the convict ship "Success."It was in 1945, a couple of barges was es-corting the vessel to Port Clinton, when itran aground on a sandbar, which was to beits final resting place. A fire later on des-troyed what was left of the old ship.

In the Cleveland Press of July 22,1980,there is a Wonderful story on this famousconvict ship.

In one part of the story there is mentionof a wedding that took place aboard the"Success", supposedly performed in Cell.13, which was said to be haunted. Thisevent took place when the ship was dock-ed at 9th Street in Cleveland, after havingbeen exhibited near the High Street Bridge.

Many of these convict ships carried prison-ers to New Caledonia, a French Penal Island.In fact this island was settled by the con-victs that were brought in.

This cruel system was long ago abolishedand during World War II, I was on the is-land and visited the old prisons which werethen crumbling away.

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The Blue Unitby MICHAEL SPORRER

Despite a nation-wide railroad strike Ring-ling Bros, and Bamum & Bailey's Blue Unitarrived in Seattle, Wash., at 1 p.m. on Sept.20th, in time for their six day run at theSeattle Center Coliseum. During their Sept.21-26 stay business was off, due mainly toan extended tour of Circus Vargas, the Wes-tern Washington Fair at Puyallup and theeconomy. Raising admission prices did nothelp either.This year the Blue Unit, the 112th edition

featured a Wild West production with stagecoaches and more right out of the Old West.

Also featured this year is the quadruplesomersault performed by the Flying Vaz-quez Troupe, Miguel completed the quadat the Thursday evening performance per-formance. It was quite a thrill to see it inperson.

Equipment-wise the show is using 42 cars,75 concession supply, 76-99 coaches, 100concession supplies, 101-111 flats, 129 by-level, 130-133 stocks, 134 storage. This

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adds up to: 2 concession supply, 24 coach-es, 10 flats, 1 by-level, 4 stock and 1 stor-age car fora total of 42 cars.

New are the six wagons built by SouthernTruck Body of Tampa, these include No12,14,15,16,18 and 49. Water truck 237is also new. These wagons are attractivelypainted and look like a circus. There arestill some wagons from the original BlueUnit which will be replaced next year bynew wagons.

Had a nice visit with General Manager BobMacDougall who is doing a fine job of keep-ing the show r oiling.

A. W. "Art" MILLER, well known circusgeneral agent and his wife. LOUISE, wereguests of DOREY and ISLA MILLER whenCanon & Barnes Circus played Jonesboro,Ark., on Oct. 6th. "Art" was general agentfor more than 14 yrs during the "hey-day"of the Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros Circus.

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W A N T E DUsed semi-van, 35 ft. or more. To be usedfor hauling animals. Repairable, but goodcondition. Also, gasoline single-axle trac-tor. Road worthy! No junkies!Used travel-trailer or camper. Good con-dition!

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Show FolksThe program for the James Hetzer Circus,

playing in West Virginia and Kentucky dur-ing October lists the following acts:

Kathy Rogers, ringmistress; Evy Korely'sCanine Revue; Celina Maldonado, Spanishweb; Miguel Angel, tight wire; Evy riding"Fire Chip" dressage number; MargaretMichel), hair hang; Kooky Komics, clowns;Celina & Orlando, balancing; Bob SteeleHI, bears and elephants; Coco, J. T., andHarry-0, clowns; Norbu, the almost humangorilla; Coco, England's Clown Prince ofComedy; Galla Shawn, headbalancing trap-eze.

Other show personnel listed are: James T.Hetzer, producer; Mabel C. Hetzer, co-pro-ducer; Louis Cuttin & Sons, concessions;Walker A. Dick, Honorary Circus Marshall;Maurice Davis, marketing director; HazelPolakove, advertising and promotional dir-ector; Allen Patten, prop boss; David Bewes,promotion and public relations director;

ERNEST SCHLEE (MILLETTE), center,is shown here as he was joined by friendsand family, who helped him celebrate his100th birthday on Sept. 20th. With himare: l.t.r. Helen Malkiewicz, a niece; JanetKrehely, the residence's recreation director;Angela Horan and Stanley Malkiewicz. Sch-lee, whose 25 yr. circus career included astint with Ringling-Barnum, is a member ofthe Circus Hall of Fame. He has also writ-ten a book about his life with the circus en-titled 'The Circus That Was."

If you'd like to send him a birthday cardor letter write: Ernie Schlee Millette. 1340Park Ave., Ptainfield, NJ - 07061.

Tim Lind, percussionist and Richard Rosio,organistThe show elephants were Zulo and Lulu.

PETRICK & MIA, presented their magicact and lectured as a special feature Oct.24th, at the Ben Franklin Hotel in San Ma-te o, Calif.

THERESA "Terry" E. DesCHENES (57)who with her late husband were formerowners-operators of Design III in St. Peters-burg, Fla.f died Aug. 30th after a long ill-ness. The firm was an architectural/land-scape business, A native of Providence, R.I.she served as hostess on a TV talk show inthat city and also assisted her husband An-dre E. DesChenes, who was a magician.Their work took them all over the UnitedStates and Europe.

Page 11

In addition to her husband, she is survivedby three sons, a daughter, two brothers anda sister.

ELIZABETH (Lib) McLAUGHLIN (84)passed away on Sept 9th in Laredo, Texas.She was the widow of Tom Mclaughlin, aveteran circus general agent. She is survivedby her son, Dick Mclaughlin. Burial was inShowman's Rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery inHugo. Okla.

In the newsby CIRCUS JOE VALENCIANO

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribunenewspaper on Sept. 29th.

Siegfrid & Roy, Superstars of Illusion werefeatured on TV's "Evening Magazine".Shown were some of their illusions duringtheir Vegas show and also their menagerieof animals at their Las Vegas home. It wasmentioned that since Las Vegas doesn'thave a zoo, they let children in to enjoythe animals.

Page 13

Anima l Fr iendsRON and JOY HOLIDAY were re-

cently photographed at their homein Florida with "Hercules" their Si-berian tiger. The 600 Ib. animalplays an important part in theirMagnificent Magical Animal Act.

/ A *- Joy plays with "Hercules" after rid-ing him across the backyard. In thephoto below "Hercules" checks to besure that Joy mixes the right portionsfor the evening meal.

In addition to the tiger, the Holidayshave a leopard, a black panther and ajaguar.

NORM NIELSEN recently playedSparks, Nev., as the opening act forcountry singer MEL TILLIS at theNugget Casino.

LLOYD LASTER, of Tyler, Tex.recently had a leg amputated. Heis now getting around in a wheelchair.

VINCE CARMEN'S act has beenlengthened from 9 to 13 minutesat Harrah's and includes talking,comedy and-sleight of hand, in addition tothe illusions. He will open at Harrah's Hotelin Lake Tahoe on Nov. 6th for an indefiniterun with the show "Heat's On" with book-ing handled by agent Gil Miller.

BOBBY COOPER, of Astoria, Ore., wasphotographed by an Associated Press cam-era with the Big John Strong Circus ele-phant "Neena" when the show played that

city on Labor Day. The photo was releasedvia the national wire service.

VELMA and ADEN LOWRY, of Sedan,Kans. had the Columbus Day Program inCedar Vale, Ks., on Oct. 11th. Chairman ofthe program was a long-time admirer and afriend of the late Herb Walters, who told ofHerb's tent show and did a small review ofhis book.

Page 18

Zoo ChargedThe Henry Doorly Zoo, of Omaha, Nebr.,

has been charged with violating transporta-tion standards of the Animal Welfare Actby shipping a polar bear in a crate that didnot have sufficient ventilation. The U. S.Dept. of Agriculture reports that an adoles-cent polar bear was shipped from Omaha toPhiladelphia on Oct. 1,1981.The bear died shortly after arrival, with

heat prostration the apparent cause, the U.S.O.A. official said. He added that UnitedAirlines, which carried the bear from Omahato Philadelphia, was charged earlier for itsinvolvement in the death.

Show ActsbyJOHNBEARD

Acts appearing at the San Antonio ShrineCircus are: Aerial display with Oanuda, theSpider Woman, working on a spider webrigging;Clowns: Toetoe Prod., Irving Hall,

Joe McMillian, Jerry Parsons, Earl Michael;Irv Hall, unicycle; the two Hall Baboon acts;Don Perales, dressage and Unicycle; Knoppperch pole; Gene and Eleanor Mendez, highwire (his first appearance here since he fell5 years ago); Bauers, sway poles; the FlyingCarrolls; Hawthorn and Cristiani elephants,Marcan's cat act.Visitors seen at the circus were Hannah Pal

lenberg, Cucciola, Norma Davenport

Famous Talking ClownsSome of the headliners of their day, great

talking circus clowns, were:John Lowlow, Jim Myers, Joe Pentland,

Dan Rice, Den Stone, Tony Pastor, GeorgeM. Clarke, Nat Austin, Sam Lothrop, JohnFoster, William Kennedy, Ben Mayinley,Bill Worrell and George H. Knapp.

Page 19

New Book DueA new book "Hallejujah Trombone", the

life of Henry Fillmore, composer, musicianand publisher is scheduled for release soon.The volume was written by Paul Bierley, ofColumbus, Ohio. Paul is a noted authorityon John Philip Sousa, and his books onSousa are considered reference volumes byschools, libraries, etc.

Henry Fillmore started his musical careeras a boy trombonist with circuses and var-ious types of shows. Throughout his lifehe wrote many pieces of music, many of •which are considered great circus music.

He wrote music under a variety of namesand is considered to be almost the equal toKarl King when it comes to circus music.He died in Florida in 1956.

FOR SALE36 ft Fifth wheel trailer, A/C, TV, Mi-crowave, CB, Generator, Awning with8 ft. x 20 ft Screen Room, Electric Toi-let, also extra flush toilet, 4 burner stovewith oven and broiler, Duct Heat, 3 wayrefrigerator, Gas and Electric Hot waterheater. Extra large fresh water tank andholding tanks. Roof Rack and Ladder.Converter, Flood Lights and many ex-tras. Good condition. 2-3 years old.

For information call: 914-425-2782

MIGUEL MEREZ, circus performer whowas injured in an auto accident in Mexiconot long ago, is up and around on crutches.He is presently with his father's circus inMexico where he is recuperating. His daugh-ter, MICHELLE, who was also injured inthe same accident, is now living with hergrandparents, DORIS and RALPH H O R -TON in San Diego, Calif.

Show Folksby ALBERT HOUSE

When the Beany-Cote Circus passed thruNew Jersey in August, the following folkswere handling some of the numerous jobson the show.

Robert Rawls, popcorn;-Dennis Walker,floss; Mike Maloney, snow cones; Larry andSheila Sheffield, midway diner.

Naomi "Omi" Logan, elephant ride ticketseller; Rita Ferriera, space bounce ticketseller; Art Hatch, space bounce operator;Mrs. Mary Rawls, outside novelty standoperator; Mary Rawls (wife of Robert),

secretary to John Pugh; Tina Storey, ticketboxes, inside reserves; R. Alvarez, same;Mrs. Alice Harris, programs; Joe Funk, icehouse.

The show carries four sections of reservedseats, front and back side, 15 in a row, 14high, including 2 on the ground, for a totalof 1,680 reserved seats. All chairs are carriedin the interior of the seat trailers at each endof the top.

Ford Bros. Circus reports that business hasbeen holding up well since they returned tothe states after their Alaskan tour. The showhas been playing in the mid-west and willsbeheading for quarters in Texas.

"— m,_^__^^^^Mrf tir̂̂ 7n5f

Special Consideration for Alt Show PeopleTrailer* delivered anywhere at nominal rates

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2550 Walden Ave. Buffalo, NY 14225

Phone: 1 -716-681-1700

Do you remember?byTeDLaVELOA

FULLER BROS. CIRCUS-1951 Season

Fuller Bros. Circus was framed at the homeand winterquarters of the Fuller family inHastings, Nebr.Tbe show was presented in one ring and

was owned by Luther Fuller and his son,Charles, who acted as manager.Show personnel included: Don Whitney,

agent; Lela & Bonnie, trampoline; Pony

FOR SALE

PROPER PERMITS REQUIRED

0.1 2Vi yr. old Chimp -does a few tricks

1.0 l l/fcyr. old Chimp1.0 3 month Chimp2.2 Bengal cubs1.1 Baby Olive Baboons1.1 Baby Squirrel MonKey

2.1 Leopard cubs (spotted)

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Page 21

INSURANCE - INSURANCE

ALL INSURANCE NEEDS

MURRAY HILL

Mi RISK AGENCYPhone:

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Drill, Ted LaVelda; Dog Act, Luther Fuller;Riding Act, Chuck and Bonnie; ComedyMule, Ted LaVelda; Shooting act. ChuckFuller; Ring Contortion, Bonnie Fuller;Chair Balancing, Ted LaVelda; Clown num-bers by "Happy" Wood.

Calliope music was used for the program,with Mrs. Fuller playing the calliope. A sideshow was carried with Chuck Fuller makingthe openings. Inside was magic, a humanpin cushion and gastronomical wonder, aswell as several animals.

The show played in Nebraska and SouthDakota.

State Clown MeetThe Kansas State Clown Alley 45, will be

holding their State Meeting and Election ofOfficers on Nov. 21stThe meeting will take place at 2 p.m., at

the VFW Hall. 210 South Topeka, Wichita,Kansas.

Annie Oakley KitsCrammed and jammed with circus passesand tickets. Don't pass up this chance andjust in time for Christmas.

$5.00 includes postageDAVID P. ORR

Rte. 5- Box 120-AMonjantown, W. Va - 26505

Page 22

Shrine DatesCompiled by MIKE SPORRER

Lewiston, Idaho - Calam Temple

1923-May 11-12- Booked Acts1924-May 15-17 - Booked Acts1925-May 14-16-Booked Acts1926-May 13-15- Booked Acts(1923 to 1926 known as Shrine SocietyCircus. Information provided by Ralph Hen-derson, Spokane, Wash.)1927-1933 -None1934 - Sept. 10-15-Polack Bros.1935- Aug. 5-10- Polack Bros.1936 -1938 -None1939 -June 2-8- Polack Bros.1940-1954 -None1955 - July 2-3 - Polack Bros. Eastern1956-1965-None1966 -June 19-20 -William Kay1967-June 8-9-William Kay1968- June 14-15-William Kay1969 -June 13-14 -William Kay1970-June 12-13-William Kay1971 -June 11-12-William Kay1972 -June 9-10 -William Kay1973-June 8-9-William Kay1974-June 7-8-William Kay1975-June 20-21 -William Kay1976-June 18-19-William Kay1977 -June 24-25 -William Kay1978 - June 28-29 - Amer. Continental1979 • June 20-21 - Amer. Continental1980 - July 34 - Garden-Johnson1981-June 24-25-Garden Int'l1982-July 7-8-Garden Int'I1923-1926 show played at Dreamland1934, 1935, 1939 at Recreation Park1955, 1956-1978 at Bengal Field1979-1981 at the Round Up Grounds1982 at Adams Field, Clarkinston, Wash.

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JERRY GOOOSPEED, ventriloquist, iscurrently working on the Carnival CruiseLine ships.

STEVE WALLENDA recently made a skywalk on a cable over the Colony Beach Re-sort in Longboat Key, Fta.

JEFF McBRIDE, magician, is working atClub Versatile in New York.

JOEY JORDAN, juggler, will be appearingat Tannen's Magic Jubilee at Browns Hotelin New York, and will be part of the tapingfor television.

Show Visitby BILL ANDERSON

On Oct. 9th, while the Ringling Unitwas in Indianapolis, 40 to 50 performersand adults from the Peru Circus City Festi-val attended the Saturday evening perfor-mance, to see their own Brian Miser performas part of the Vasquez Flying act

One thrilling treat for the Peru crowd wasthe spectacular display on the high wire byfriend, Pedro Carrillo. In 1981, Pedro, whilerecuperating from an injury, was guest ofhonor and parade marshal! for the CCFI.Pedro has made many life-long friends inPeru, Ind. and will always have a warm andappreciative audience from them.

The true feeling of pride flowed from thePeru people at Brian's first entrance intothe arena in the opening. Most of the peopleattending were amazed at Brian's poise andgrace. He was no longer the youngster thatleft Peru in 1981, to work in Circus World.

Later Brian showed that confidence as hemounted the high trapeze rigging and styledto his friends. His effortless completion ofthe triple somersault to the hands of friendand catcher, Gordon Howie, capped off avery enjoyable evening for the audiencefrom Peru.

Brian has made Peru very proud and is avery good representative of Peru Circus CityFestival. All of us here in Peru wish Brianmuch luck and success.

Engagement AnnouncedSimone Finner just returned from a four

week tour of France. While there she visit-ed Circus Rancy-Carringlon and Circus Pin-der.

She signed several European artists for anew Las Vegas revue show scheduled toopen the end of December including: Dom-inique, French pickpocket-comedian; EvaVida, Hungarian femme juggler and OttoWessely & Christa, Austrian comedy magicduo.Simone also became engaged to French-

man Andre Malfuson, owner of the well-known Paris "Magic Theatre." No immed-iate wedding date has been set, but thecouple will reside in Hollywood, Calif.

Page 24

No Elephant Circusby USA iERVOLINO

The No Elephant Circus of New York Citytickles the funny bones of big kids and littlekids alike.

Primarily geared toward children, the goalis to bring a little "big top" to the audience,with juggling, clowning, fire-eating, unicyc-ling and puppetry. "Klowns" a show filledwith the kind of silliness that makes child-ren giggle, was designed with them in mind.

In fact, children are an integral part of theshow. Using kids instead of animals is a suc-cessful way of getting laughs on a low bud-get.

When Bobbo the Clown boasts that he'sthe strongest clown in the world, he chal-lenges youths and adults in the audienceto a tug of war. Bobbo holds a rope ineither hand, and the participants pull fromeach side. Just when it looks as though Bob-bo will be made six inches wider, he slipsout, leaving the jacket he was wearing hang-ing on the rope, which had been threadedthru his sleeves.While the crowd is still holding the rope,

Antonio the Clown jumps up on it withhis juggling clubs. The kids love it, but thedads holding Antonio's weight on the ropelook a little nervous.

Sad-eyed Antonio is the troupe's best jugg-ler. Under his clown makeup he is TonyDuncan. He recently captured the worldtitle for seven-ball juggling at the Interna-tional Juggling Association convention inLos Angeles.Together, the clowns perform elaborate

juggling patterns, passing the clubs overheadand around members of the audience. Whenone clown throws his hat instead of a club,Bobbo quips, "Come on, the show's notthat bad! You don't have to pass the hatyet!"

Yes, some of the humor is corny. But thekids eat it up. When Jessie the Clown triesto mount a unicycle while sitting on thefloor, the audience shouts instructions,groaning in frustration at her struggles.

Uncle Lenny, a beanpole of a clown, wantsto be in control of each situation, but sel-dom succeeds. After he proudly announcesto the audience that he will perform a solojuggling routine, Bobbo sneaks up behind

him, stealing his. hat, and eventually all thejuggling balls, taking the act over himself.Although the group follows a script as

they perform, there is a lot of improvisationaccording to Bob Daraio (Bobbo), the artis-tic director.

\\

THK \O CtEPJM.Vr CIRCUS

Daraio bears a striking resemblance to An-dy Hardy (Let's put on a show). As Bobbohe wears voluminous red and white stripedshorts held up by suspenders, and a red andwhite striped oversized cap. The others sometimes refer to him as the "Pillsbury DoughBoy."

"A clown is an extension of your personal-ity," he explained. "The character startswithin you. You build on your mood andthe audience's mood, and let everythingwork for you. Bobbo is a zany. He has thesame roots as Harpo Marx. He is mischiev-ous, and gets confused easily. He likes togoof on the straight man".

One of the troupe's favorite projects is hol-ding circus workshops at schools. For threeyears, they directed the All Children's Cir-cus at Children's Village, a home for emo-tionally disturbed children in Oobbs Ferry,NY.

(Continued on Next Page)

Page 25

Visit at SparksbyJOHNWORLEY

This writer had a pleasant time and sur-prise upon arrival in Reno (Sparks, Nev.)while visiting the Nugget Casino, and Tinaand Bertha, the elephants. We were enter-tained by Daryl Atkison, formerly of theRingling Blue Unit elephant dept Also wemustn't forget George Fitzpatrick who isalso there with Daryl and is a former ele-phant man under Axel Gautier.The fellows are busy routining the two •

pachyderms for a new act at the casino.Both fellows are interesting and talented

individuals.The elephants have very spacious quarters

and great food.My wife and I were equally amazed at

these two gentlemen when later that even-ing we encountered them in a club in Renositting in with one of the local club bands.Daryl was playing drums and George wasplaying bass guitar, plus doing some vocals.

James Secondo Zoppe

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NO ELEPHANT CIRCUS (Continued)

It was the first circus to become a non-pro-fit organization, and is the only one recog-nized by the Actor's Equity Association.

Oaraio said the troupe has done more char-ity performances than any other Equitycompany in New York State. He estimatesthat 20% of their income goes for charityperformances and workshops."We dp every fifth show for free. We figure

the audience has earned it. Last year, we en-tertained 35,000 people at a cost of 35 centsper viewer," he said proudly.

On that budget, it's no wonder there are noelephants. But that's not the reason. Thename comes from a former member, whohad previously worked with a travelling cir-cus, and shared living quarters with the ani-mals.

"Elephants eat SI 50 a day in feed and theyalways leave you yesterday's. If I ever have acircus, I'm not going to have elephants."

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Circo BrunobyBQBSTODDARD

Going to the circus is not just a human ex-perience. It's fun • a way of life!

Going to a performance of Circo Bruno ismore of an experience, a different way oflife. For one thing, Circo Bruno is an allSpanish circus, owned by Bruno the tentmaker (possibly the only Spanish speakingcircus in the U.S.). It played in Dallas onSept 10th thru 12th, to coincide with theannual celebration commemorating Mexi-co's freedom from Spain.

You start noticing the difference as soonas you approach the tent The 130ft roundEuropean style top is blue and white on theoutside and solid blue on the inside. The 13ft sidewalls are just the opposite with whiteand red and yellow decorations. The toppeaks at a luxurious 43 ft with two towersand the acts hanging from the round redcupula. Bruno's special quarter poles withno peaks and no holes in the tent gives thetop a smooth and sleak look.

Since there were no animals, there was noring curb. The ring was defined by a color-ful ring cover in the center of the tent witha large stage behind it from which most ofthe show was presented, including the threepiece circus band headed by Carl Wahrmundand his trumpet, and Leonard Olson's organand a drummer.

Bruno Loyale announced the show (inSpanish) from the stage. The acts presentedwere not average circus acts.

Senor Geraldo, the come-in clown, is real-ly Gerald Bums who does "drawing roomand circus conjuring," for twenty minutes.He has also done this before with Reid Bros.Circus and Bob Emerico. Mostly he worksas a cage boy for Clark's Lions (to whichMichael and Michelle have now added sometigers).

After the overture the show opened with asong by Mateli (Oropesa), a lovely younglady who was making her professional debutShe is also Bruno's secretary. She claims tobe 24 yrs. old, but looks like 18 going on17.The third display was the hula hoop artis-

try of Luisa (Murillo). Artistry it is • but acircus act it is not. This Las Vegas based actwas designed by her husband Salvadore

Murillo who has an aero-balancing act in theFollies Bergere in that city. He has beentraining her since she became a teenager inthe act designed for theatres and television.Presented here, as it was, on the stage, it wasa fine flash act

Display four - a cradle act, billed as theDuo Man Don (not to be c :ifused with theMan Don Duo, a high wire act performedby Maria and Flo). In this cradle act Maria(Aqosta) works with her nephew Jairo(Avando). Both of these acts feature Mariaand are being trained by her husband Dan-iel Aqosta. If you are up on your circushistory, you know that he was one of thefamous Carillio Bros, on the Ringling show.He is the one that fell and was injured inLos Angeles on July 20,1977, ending hishigh wire walking career.

No. 5 - would be a clown act in any othercircus. In Circo Bumo it was a typical silentmovie slapstick comedy that Charlie Chap-lin might have done. Billed as "Willy's Res-taurant," Willy Murillo works as a drunkenwaiter with his father (Ignacio) as the cus-tomer, and his sister Luisa as the waitress.Good slapstick with several excellent prat-falls.

No. 6 - a juggling act that could be consid-ered circus. Billed as "El Gran Elexis" (Al-ahando Avadillo) worked with his family inPuerto Rico's Circo Loyale (owned by Bru-no until he left there four years ago). Mostrecently Alexis has been working out ofNew York City and works the discos there,including the famous "Studio 54."

No doubt about display 7, it is real circus- and has been for 57 yrs. (He started whenhe was ten). Billed as "Los Latinos", peren-nial Herbie Weber with Maricella worked onthe low wire. He still runs on the wire withhis feet in the wicker baskets; still jumpsover Maricella's back onto the wire;stilldoesn't believe (apparently) that 67 yr. oldbones should be babied - or at least pamer-ed a bit

Most red-blooded men should feel that dis-play 8 alone was worth the price of admis-sion. Beautiful Marie Anthony, the femaleillusionist turns many heads and hearts butundoubtedly her act would have it's great-est effect on the Dallas fire marshal). If hehad seen it his heart would have flat-outstopped! Really, he would have had a heart

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CIRCO BRUNO (Continued]

attack.I'm not sure who might have the death

wish, Marie or her first assistant Lee Gan-non(a former male model who undoubted-ly turns lots of female heads and hearts).She bums him up in a small wicker basketand he steps out of a burning book. He alsogets turned into a tiger - but not here.

Marie points to a torch and it springs intoflame, and another, and another.

It's the first time Marie & Co. ever workedwith a circus and much more should bewritten about this act.

Display 9 • brings back Marie Acosta, thistime on the Spanish web.

Display 10 - a comedy act - the WilliamTell apple-on-the-head story which featuredEddie Murillo, Sr. as a clown. He was a trap-eze artist for 57 yrs. before the family madehim retire because he was having dizzy spelk

Display 11 - Senor Antonio performed hishead balancing act on the swinging trapezewhile turning rings on his wrists and ankles.Antonio (Morales) has thrilled countlessnumbers of people while he was on theRingling show (7 yrs.) and Circus Vargas(3 yrs). He has been in and out of CircusCircus in Las Vegas for more than 5 years.An added display in the Saturday night

show was a surprise to everyone exceptBruno Loyale himself. For the first time(I think) since Bruno came to the U.S. andstarted his tent business two years ago, hedonned his costume and performed his tra-peze act He had two noteworthy assistantsin Senor Antonio and Daniel Acosta. Hisact was more death-defying than most folksrealized because he was not physically inshape for the act. and was puffing like anold war-horse when he finished.

Later in the backyard, Bruno was surroun-ded by friends and he announced very dra-matically to me that I had just witnessedthe final performance of "Bruno the Great"Everyone laughed. For some reason I don'tbelieve him.

Display 12-anothersong by Mateli.Display 13 - clowns and then the final dis-

play was Herbie Weber's walk up the in-clined wire and his backwards slide to thebottom.

Visitors on Saturday included Armandoand Anna Farfan of the magnificent Flying

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Farfans, and a group from Donny Johnson'sshow that included Bob Bang - a catcher inthe Flying Carrolls act; Ann Pike and Jim-my Joe Steenbergen, from the elephant de-partment (Tell the truth, did you knowthat Jimmy Joe's last name was Steenber-gen?). Another visitor was Dr. Janet Swee-ney, who is the show's vet - but, did youknow that she is also in the aerial balletnow?

Very small attendance on Friday night, agradual build-up to a half house by Satur-day night when I reviewed the show, butthey say that all was redeemed by Sundaywhen a parade of cars and floats from downtown Dallas to the park brought an estima-ted 5,000 people who were celebrating thefirst day of Hispanic Heritage Week and

Diez y seis de Septembre (the 16th of Sep-tember), which is Mexican independenceday.The Mexican Consul and other dignitaries

from Mexico and the City of Dallas attend-ed the Sunday show and turned everythingaround crowd-wise - plus, the Dallas Sym-phony Orchestra bought the tent for theiruse, as well as the Dallas Civic Opera andthe Dallas Ballet.Two other groups who were interested

have ordered similar tents, so Bruno willbe smiling when you see him next.

The photos with this article were taken byJohn Manning. They are identified as:

1 - Gerald Bums, clown and conjurer2,3,4- Marie Anthony & Co.5 - Marie Aqosta6 - Maricella and Herbie Weber7,8- Bruno Loyale9 - Senor Antonio (Morales)

10,11,12- Luisa Murillo13 - L.t.R.: Bruno Loyale, Armando and

Anna Farfan, Senor Antonio

LOGAN PRITCHETT, produced the 'International Stars of Magic' show for a weekendengagement at Robinson Auditorium inLittle Rock, Ark., last month.

ARVEL ALLREAD, of Chico, Calif., re-ports Circus Vargas recently played his cityand drew good business, for a Monday andTuesday stand.

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Ohio GiantsIn July of this year, the Medina County

Historical Society, of Ohio, featured a spe-cial exhibit called "Tea With the Giants."Life-size portraits of Ohio's giants - CaptMartin Van Buren Bates (7ft 8 in.) andhis wife, Anna Swan (7 ft. 11 in.) were in-cluded with the exhibit, along with Bates'size 18 shoes, his Bible and a helmet hewore while with the circus.

Many personal and household items wereloaned to the society by private parties whohad acquired them at an auction in 1948. *These latter items included a 9 ft. high doorplus Bates' chair, a baby bed and a giant-sized handkerchief given to the couple byQueen Victoria.Also included in the exhibit was a statue

of their infant son, bom to the couple in1879. The baby was the biggest ever bornat that time. He weighed 24 IDS. and was31 in. long and had a head circumferenceof 19 in. He lived for less than a day. Thecouple also had a daughter, who died atbirth in 1872. She weighed 18 Ibs. and was27 in. long.Anna and Capt. Bates were the tallest

couple in the world when they were mar-ried in London in 1871. They had metabout a year before.After spending several years with shows

they settled down in Seville, Ohio, whereBates pursued his chief interest - farming.Anna was born in 1846 in Nova Scotia

and was discovered by P. T. Bamum. Shewas the third of 13 children and at birthweighed 18 Ibs. By the time she was 6 shestood 5 ft. 2 in. tall and at the age of 15she had attained the height of 7 ft.

Barnum billed her as the "Tallest Woman

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in the World" and she became one of hismajor attractions. Later she left Bamumand managed her own career.

Bates was a native of Kentucky, born in1845. He did not experience any unusualgrowth during his childhood, but he justkept growing until in his late 20's he hadreached his giant proportions.Anna died in 1888, then in 1900 Bates

married Lavonne Weatherby and they mov-ed into town. Bates died in 1919, and La-vonne, who was just over 5 ft. tall, died in1940.

*W*

This old bam is all that remains of the oldhomestead of Capt. and Anna Bates. Hisname and the construction date are barelydiscernible in the roof shingles.

The Bates farm of 130 acres was sold in1948 and the home's furnishings were auc-tioned off, after which the home was de-molished.Today, only the old barn still remains.

Capt. Bates' name and the date of construc-tion are now barely discernible in the roofshingles.

For more information about the Sevillegiants read the illustrated, paperback book"The World's Tallest Couple" by AlleneHolt Gramby. It is available at a cost of$11.80 from: Seville Chamber of Com-merce, Box 471, Seville, Ohio - 44273.