6th Year March 7, 1977 Number 10

Circus Performs for PopePope Paul VI doesn't go to the circus, so on Feb. 16th, the circus came to him. Performers

of Italy's famous "Orfei Circus" left their animals on the outskirts of Rome and attended thePope's weekly general audience at the Vatican.

The clowns offered tricks and stunts, a brass band played "Va, pensiero" from Verdi'sopera "Nabucco" and 11 year old Ambra Orfei performed with her doves. Three Spanish clownsplayed musical numbers, including "Granada."

The pleased Pontiff told some 3,000persons attending the weekly audience that"this is, to say the least, an uncommon pre-sence in a place of devotion."

He went on to say that circus performerswere "particularly dear, whose country is theentire world."

Young Ambra Orfei told the people that"to perform in front of the Pope is so unusualI'd like my doves to understand what it means"

STAR INJUREDAerialist Linda Chandler fell some 25 feet whileperforming on the single trapeze during theGeorge Hubler Int'l Circus at Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The circus star broke her wrist and injured herleg and as a result will be grounded for threemonths. She is expected to be able to return toher husband's magic act in a few weeks.

AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

HOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTSContact

PAUL V. KAYESuite 519 • 1680 North Vine Street • Hollywood, California • 90028

Area Code 213 • 462-6001

Page 2 March 7, 1977

SHOW ACTSThe 9th annual Grotto Circus, at Decatur, 111.,was produced by George Hubler, with threeshows presented on Mar. 5th and two on Mar.6th. The show played at the Al Milliken Uni-versity Gym.

Featured in the program were: Phil & Francine,aerial cradle; Dondi, baby elephant; HarriettBeatty, lions; Felller Boys & Dodo, wire; Phil& Linda Chandler, magic; Scott's UnrideableMule; Vivian's Boxer Dogs; Eddie Ventura,aerial; The Vickinas and Aquilars, perch; JoeSherman, producing clown and Florine Oler,music. Allen Babcock

KIRBY GRANT (Sky King) was named Hon-orary Ringmaster for Senior American Daysat Circus World Park in Florida.

FATHER ROBERT McCARTHY, pastor ofthe Holy Family Church at Watertown, N.Y.,is known as "The Camy Priest". He spendsthree months each year following the carnivalsto serve its people.

LES THINIS, trampoline act, appeared on theMike Douglas TV Show, from Miami Beach(Fla.) on Feb. 23rd.

MIKE MARTIN, former Beatty-Cole and Sells& Gray side show manager and magician, re-cently completed a 15 week tour wi th his"Holiday In Magicland" show. He is not set foran eight week tour with "The Happiness Show"which features magic, illusions, animals andlarger than life costumed characters.

WANTEDChimp • 2 or 2'/2 yr. old male

For enlargement of chimp act

Send details to:

CHRISTINAS CHIMPS

637 Conrad AvenueSarasota, Fla. - 33580

After moving their home and offices from theChicago area to Garden Grove, Calif., justsouth of Disneyland, the TNT & Royal Olym-pic Circus played its first California engagementwith a 5 day stand in the large multi-level West-minster Mall, Feb. 16-20.

Equipment for the one ring show is spotlesslyclean, brightly painted and impressive. Theshow plays indoor malls exclusively with own-er Earl Tegge serving as ring master, his wife,Louise, on organ and son, Tim, on percussion.Tim also doubles as a clown.

Featured in the show this reviewer caught were:Tim Tegge, come-in; Overture; The Carlsons,juggling, plates, bells; Senor Jose Cole, one fin-ger stand, etc.; Tim Tegge, change bag with lotsof good funny business; and Wini McKay,aerial circle trapeze. Chester Cable's act worksin some shows.

The fast-paced, half-hour show has plenty ofaudience participation with strong audiencereception. Performances were at 11, 2 and 7.

Chuck Burnes

DO/V'7 /HISS

L I V E C B S S P O R T S S P E C T A C U L A R

D i r e c t f rom Rio de J a n e i r o — M a r c h 19, 1977

W a l k i n g the Sugar loaf T r a m w a y

2,700 feet l ong — 1,300 feet over the Rio S k y l i n e

The Circus Report Page 3

GREAT MTURO

'

PHILIP MCOONALDCurrently appearing in

CIRCUS STARS

«*tSITHE WORLD S

GREATEST

••14 W E E K A U S T R A L I A N T O U R

.1

Booked By

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISESH O L L Y W O O D T A F T B U I L D I N G H O L L Y \", O O T3 A V I N E - H O L L Y W O O D C A L I F O R N I A M O 028

A R E A CODE 2 1 3 H O L L Y W O O D 2 G 0 0 1

Page 4 March 7, 1977

MiscellaneousBefore the circus animal people could sail fromJacksonville, Fla., for their engagement inPuerto Rico with Circus Odyssey, each personhad to be signed aboard ship as a part of thecrew, with Coast Guard approval.Members of the Roland C. Butler CFA Tent inArizona, will visit the Circus Vargas on Mar.26th and the Phoenix Shrine Circus on Mar. 27.

CLAUDE ARWOOD has been hospitalized forseveral weeks and is improving rapidly. Cardsand letters can be sent to him at: 3N305 Car-dinal St., Addison, 111. 60101.IVAN HENRY is the entertainment directorfor Legend City, a theme park at Tempe, Ariz.,which was acquired early this year by the Ca-pell Family, veteran carnival operators.

FOR SALE2 SEAT TRAILERS - 35 ft. and 31 ft. -- Bleacher style seating. Takes one manfive minutes to unfold after trailer is unloaded. Both trailers are ten rows high.Also have a 10 high set-up of bleachers for one end of the tent, with safety chains,stringers and jacks. Have extra bleachers that attach onto the 35 ft. trailer — alsoten rows high.

STAGE TRAILER - Portable 33 ft. Front side folds down to make a 30 ft. x16 ft. stage. A section of the floor lifts up to reveal an 8 ft. x 16 ft. trampoline builtinto the stage. Carries all props, ring curb and rigging. When fully loaded can takeup to 10,000 Ibs. (All trailers can be hauled by pick-ups).

DODGE Truck - 1974 - 2 ton - 4 speed transmission 2 speed rear end. Runningcondition is excellent. 50,000 miles - original 318 engine. Has horse compartmentbehind cab, also a 15 KW Diesel generator with 125 gal. tank. Also has spool forbig top, plus electrical cables and electric arc welder.

BIG TOP - 80 ft. wide and 120 ft. long with a 40 ft. middle - Blue and whitevynal coated dacron.

2& ton INT'L -1969 - 4 speed transmission - 103,000 miles on original enginehas no problems. Has 18 ft. box on back. Box has front compartment with sidedoor, can stack many bales of hay there. We carried an elephant in the truck.

CALLIOPE and Wagon - 8 ft. x 4 ft. not counting hitch - Can be pulled by anyvehicle. MOON WALK - Midway attraction

CONCESSION TRAILER - 33 ft. This is a combination concession and officewith ticket window and living space. Lots of holding tanks. Concessions in rearof trailer. Trailer has 3 axles, is 2 years old and in excellent condition. Looks likea noraml trailer going down the highway. No weigh station stops if pulled by apick up or camper. Also have concessions left over from last season.

THIS IS A FULL AND COMPLETE CIRCUS - READY TO GO - ALLYOU HAVE TO DO IS SET IT UP - Was the Wallace & Rogers Circus.Will also sell title, which has the best reputation anywhere - you can't beat it!

AGE HELENE HARTZELLunMF - LEAVE MEb~ 463-B South Decatur (A-1 Answer Service)

Los Vegas, Nevada - 89107

Page 5

BILLY BARTONTHE C O R O N A S have resigned with CIRCUS W O R L Dfor another year. A second unit, the C O R O N A STHRILL CIRCUS, goes on the road at that time also...playing dates such as West Orange (NJ) and then beinystationed at Six Flags Over Texas for the entire sum-mer.Next year the troupe introduces a double spacewheel on one axle and a criss-cross aerial motorcyclewhich will work over a lake now being constructed atCircus World. STEVIE will also be aloft on her newRocket Ship.

Talent inked for the West Orange date includes CIMSEdogs, IRENE & TONY FOSSETT, REX WILLIAMS,splitting a 6 elephant act into two rings of 3, plus 2high school horses and his mixed animal display; BA-RON VON UHL, SATANI DEMON, BURGER'sChimps and dogs, the HERNANDEZ TROUPE andthe STOYANOFFS: ERNIE LANTERMAN and JIMG O U R L E Y will be in Clown Alley of at least ten.Musical director is TONY SHELTON.

FLASH !! Those of you who remember the famousSKATING VANITIES, a roller skating revue, will beinterested to know that a brand new roller skatingshow is in the works for 1978. Young skaters, chorusand specialty, who are interested in touring may con-tact this show through ms.

ROSE and FAY A L E X A N D E R open this month withGarden-Johnson....It's a GO for the Los Angeles Cir-cus date again - this time, I'm told, it will be promotedby the building....JUSTINO L O Y A L has put togethera new riding act....Ditto the ZERBINI BOYS, Marioand Robert....GUNNAR AMANDIS is headed for Eur-ope. Says he: "I'm not bringing acts back, I am send-ing them over." Well, that's a welcome switch...LANORMA, who trained BRIDGET BALLENTINE, isbreaking other starlets for the trapeze... JIM SWAP-FORD visited with the Cuneo's in L.A., reports see-ing the now retired BILLY WOODS, who bought anapartment bldg in the area...and informs me that Johnand Herta imported a new trainer from Europe, thefamed JEAN MICHON LILI KRISTENSEN playedLouisville for Polack, reports that KIM's horse PaschaMacdar's hind leg walk is up to 45 ft....ANITA KEP-PO and TOM DESIMINI are heading for the WestCoast to do "something different for a change"CATHY ENGLISH is going out on her own this season (No, I don't know where or with whom)...REMOCRISTIANI is back on World of Mirth where his ele-phant act is the "free act" and where he has an ele-phant ride TINA and JOHN HANSON report a ser-

ies of good dates set with their R O Y A L DANISH CIRCUS....ditto the popular R O Y A L PALACE CIRCUSproduced by the DUBSKYS.

FRANK DAI LEY, of Garden Bros., severely burnedwhen the heater in his camper blew up last season, hasrecovered and will be back on tlie show. He received3rd degree burns and went through a series of skingrafts on his hands and face G A R D E N will play theMontreal Forum twice in one season, just as he didlast year....I've also been told the circus has added At-lanta and Harrisburg to its route....The Animal Pack-age of JOHN and HERTA CUNEO will play the firstfull ten weeks, starting Mar. 5 at Allentown The"Road Show" will carry the new ZERBINI Ridingact and ERIK ADAMS and Co. and will feature twoproduction numbers....MARLENE and ARTHURGROTEFENT, formerly with Sells & Gray, will alsotour with Garden Bros, this year. That show's band-leader, LEO MASCITTO, now has his green card, hasmoved from Montreal to Sarasota....RON MORRISwhi has the Garden concessions, told me ABC plans aDocumentary Special on KARL WALLENDA, basedon Ron's biography of the famed wire walker.

JENNY W A L L E N D A framed a Variety Show for thelocal 6th Graders so they could pay their way to DIS-NEY WORLD JOE BAUER extended an invitationto me to visit GREAT ADVENTURE. Says I must seeDAVE MacMILLAN's Flying Tiger Act • the traineruses 22!....Lovely R E B E C C A NOCK's daughter, ofCharlie and Dorothy, will appear in the HERRMAN'shorse show, though still a part of the BAUER troupe..Everytime I visited Ice America I saw JIM NORD-MARK (one of the Ice Compressors belongs to him)....BOB WELZ, who juggles, skating on ice, has beenwith many circuses, including RBBB and EMMETTKELLY, Jr That ice show, by the way, moves onfive semis....ROYAL HANNEFORD will have fourproduction numbers this season. A King Kong like-ness will be featured in the opening spec and the ele-phants will wear Shrine Fezzes in "Salute to theShrine" main spec designed by PHILIP MORRIS..RAYORSZAK did the costuming for the aerial ballet andfor TAJANA - and three top notch arrangers did thisyear's music: KEITH KILLINGER, BILL PRUYNandCHARLESSCHLARBAUM.

EMMETT KELLY, Jr. Circus, after last year's Phila-delphia upset, has regained its equilibrium and has anumber of excellent dates set, including a round of

(Continued on Page 14)

Page 6 March 7, 1977

WANTEDBottom Man Needed for Teeterboard Act

Anyone Interested Contact:

Mr. GUNNAR AMANDIS619 N. Lockwood Ridge Road

Sarasota, Fla. - 33580Phone: (813)955-7506

In Memnriam/vOBBIE ESCALANTE CROUCH (38) son ofFloyd and Esther Crouch, died in Los Angeles,Calif., on Jan. 30th after a brief illness. He wasan infant when Floyd and Esther were with the1938 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Survivors in-clude his wife, 2 daughters and a son. Burialwas at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.CECIL (C. R.) ROBERT MONTGOMERY (74)died at his home in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 16th.A native of South Dakota, he was retired, buthad been with Ringling-Bamum, the Tampa Zooand at one time operated his own show, the C.R. Montgomery Wild Animal Circus. Survivorsinclude 2 daughters and 4 sons. Services andburial were at Albany, Oregon.

Pruitt's Miniature Circus was displayed at theRoosevelt Mall, at Jacksonville, Fla. on Feb,17-19. It is an early day replica of the RinglingBarnum Circus.

FOR SALET H R E E

Gentle-Female-AsiaticE L E P H A N T A C T

(Ages: 25, 16 and 9)

1970 Peterbilt Diesel Tractor

40' Fruehauf Customized TrailerIncluding Living Quarters

Inquire:Post Office Box 3666

Hollywood, California 90028

L IPKO'S C O M E D Y CHIMPSAmerica 's Funniest Chimp ActOPEN TIME: Sept. 6 to 30 ONLY

P. O. Box 32 Florence, N.J. 08518Phone: (717)467-2316

Circus StarsThe program presented by the Royal DanishCircus at Punta Gorda, Fla., Feb. 22-27 fea-tured:Dan and Baxen, clowns; the Morgan AshtonFamily and Little Harold; the Almiros Jugg-lers; Diana on Spanish web; Bongo, Gorilla Par-ody; Miss Tina, single trapeze; Morgan andLittle Harold, clown gag; Rosita and Alberto,plate spinning; Mike Ashton, foot juggling; LesThinis, trampoline act; Miss April, 110 ft. swaypole; Balloon O Rama.

ROBERT MOMYER, who in 1976 was assis-tant to the dean of RBBB's Clown College, andhis wife SANDRA, who own and operate Ma-gic International Productions, have expandedtheir work to include themed productions andpromotions. Their primary interest, however,will continue to be their magic and illusionshow - Magic International • where they per-form as Roberto & Alexandra. They are pres-ently designing and building life-sized puppetsfor a film being produced by 501 FILMS, astudio that specializes in industrial and com-mercial movies.

THANK YOUANTAR ABDERRAHMAN

For your purchase of a Yellowstone Trailerfor your wife, Beverly

"SA VE MONEY Wl TH JOHNNY"

J O H N N Y C A N O L E

465 M E . 102nd StreetMiami Shores, Fla. 33138(305) 751 0206

7100 Sixth AvenueAltoona, Pa. 16602

( 8 1 4 ) 944 9347or 943 0003

The Circus Report Page?

Circus Odyssey is presented in one ring, Eur-opean style, and features a colorful lightingscheme utilizing show-owned footlights, light-ed ring curbs and special effects, such as smokeand bubble machines. Hanging light banks anileight super-troupers were provided by Richardand Susan Logothetis, who flew to Puerto Ricoto oversee their installation.

A dazzling spec with 35 dancing girls and theentire company of performers starts the pro-gram which punctuates its performance with atleast six "flash" acts - The Vashek Duo, an out-standing aerial motorcycle team; Veno Venito,in an exciting, swaying sword balance; TheYoung Duo, cradle; Scalzo and Company witha startling "burning coffin" il lusion; Prince Naj-vez with an Aztec production using 5 girls andfireworks that dovetails with the show's finaleof the full cast, elephants, bubble machines,smoke and sweeping spotlights, and Cimse'srevolving, lighted props for his unusual dog act.

Very strong standard acts round out the pro-gram. Well received are the Gutis with theirjungle comedy; the Wazzans, spirited trampo-ling; Vashek, in an inclined walk, which in this

building is long and high, with a headstandhalf way, after which he drops the pole and thencontinues on without; Bob and Rosa Gibbs' ele-phants; the Volvos, comedy revolving ladder;Scalzo & Co. illusions; and two completely dif-ferent wild animal acts - Harry Thomas, suaveand urbane with tigers and Prince Bogino, thefamed black trainer, with a group of lions. Bothacts use the same arena, Thomas opens the pro-gram and Bogino opens the second half. New isKronos (Jerry Beahman) in a revolving aerial

act with a rocket on one end, which closes thefirst half.

Clown numbers were developed by JimmyDouglass and the six man alley features: DonnieStambaugh (boss clown), Vern Woerner, MikePerry, Joe Caputo, Phil Vantreren and RichardDavis.

A local TV personality is the M.C. and the bandof 15 musicians is headed by Willy Marambio,with Stanley Freidburg at the organ, both ofwhom are from New York.Circus Odyssey is owned by Ed Migley, formermanager for the Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus andhis show in San Juan is produced in associationwith Rafi Miranda.

Pablo Rodriquez

AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS AFTER JULY 1, 1977

MARCANSMALE AFRICAN LIONS

(First Time to Tour U.S.A. -Best Male Lion Act Available)Contact

JOSIP MARCAN818 - 13th Avenue - Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304

Phone: (414) 432-5692

PageS March 7, 1977

Puerto Rico DateSan Juan, Puerto Rico — The new Circus Ody-ssey, owned by Ed Migley and produced inPuerto Rico in association with Rafi Miranda,opened a four and a half week run at the Ro-berto Clemente Coliseum on Feb. 17th. Thenew show, produced by the youngest producersin the industry, encountered the usual overseasshipping headaches with some props arriving atthe last minute and parts for the 8 super trou-pers arriving two days late. Despite these very'minor annoyances the colorful two and a halfhour spectacle was well received.

Business the first stanza was l ight , but 20% ov-er attendance for the Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circuslast year and far ahead of the Charles Garcia-Tito Batancourt promoted circus which had setin the same building from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2nd.The first Saturday matinee was also up over IceCapades which is this building's number onewinner. These reports were provided for CR bythe Coliseum manager.

By George Washington's Birthday (a holiday inP!R. as it is stateside) business tripled and show-

ELEPHANTS LOST FOR I V O R YIn recent years, thousands of elephants havebeen slaughtered in Tanzania, the ivory ship-ped to Communist China to help pay for therailroad which the Chinese constructed fromDar es Salaam to the copper fields of Zambia.

ed healthy signs of topping an anticipated overall gross by the March 20th closing. Odysseythen treks to Ponce for a four day run beforereturning to the states and a tour of New Eng-land areas.

Sour grapes speculation all winter regarding thefate of this new circus proved groundless. Actshave been paid on time, their treatment has beenfar and away the finest by any show ever to hitthe island. Hotel rooms (with kitchenettes) areprovided, plus chartered bus transport to andfrom the coliseum. Also paid are the taxes andround trip transportation for performers, ani-mals and equipment. Besides the beautiful mid-summer like weather, other fringe benefits in-clude sightseeing tours, parties and an incred-ible show schedule of only 8 shows a week,with one day a week off;

WANT • WANT • WANT'

T O P B O O K I N G A G E N T S a n d C I R C U S PROMOTERS

N E E D E D A T O N C E

T O P S A L A R Y T O R I G H T P R O F E S S I O N A L S

A L S O N E E D F I R S T C L A S S C L O W N S

W R I T E ' A . P. C . - c /o Don M a r c k s525 Oak S t r ee tEl C e r r i t o , C a l i f , - 94530

The Circus Report Page 9

ROUTESCARSON & BARNES CIRCUS

Mar. 1-2 Huntsville, Ala.3 Atalla

4-7 Birmingham8 Fayette9 Columbus, Miss.

10 Clarksdale11 Helena, Ark.12 Pine Bluff

CIRCUS ODYSSEYto Mar. 20 San Juan, Pto Rico

CIRCUS VARGASMar. 8-10 Garland, Texas

11-14 Abilene

COLE ALL STAR TV CIRCUSMar. 7 Clifton Springs, N.Y.

8 Weedsport9 Cato

10 Phoenix11 Mexico12 Baldwinsville13 Central Square

RINGLING-BARNUM - Blue UnitMar. 8-9 Fayetteville, N.C.

11-13 Columbia, S.C.RINGLING-BARNUM - Red Unit

Mar. 8-13 Richmond, Va.

Stewart Bros. Circus, out of Kansas City, Mo.was purchased in 1926 by the Mighty HoogeShow. The show moved on 30 trucks, had atwo ring big top with a 12 piece band and afull side show , with a 3 piece band inside.

A N G E L A W I L N O W

TELEPHONE: (813) 463-9006861 OAK ST. - FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA. 33931

Circus PeopleA total of seven performances were presentedby the Royal Hanneford Circus at White Plains,N. Y. (Feb. 19-21), reports Mike Naughton.

The program featured: Opening Spec, "JungleJive"; Tajana and tiger; The Basham Sisters, Ro-man ladders; Kim Norman and Nancy Giordano,aerial ladders; Madeline, hair hang; Tiger and ant-iephant; The Marconis, foot juggling; Manuel,one finger stand; Isabella, bicycle balance; TheSanger Riding Academy; Aerial Ballet withNancy Giordano, aerial lyra; Signor Rai & Co.,illusions; Morns Sisters, Zig Zag; The RidingHannefords; Satani Demon, fire eating; Spec,"Circus Comes to Town" (features floatingfez) followed by intermission.The second half included: Dave Maas, slackwire; Ramos, slack wire; Kim Norman, birds;The Lancelots, high wire (4); The Hannefordelephants (4); Finale, entire company.

The band consisted of Charles Schlarbaum,Jerry Maas, Brian Maas and local musicians.Signor Rai and Philip Morris divided the dutiesof ringmaster, while Clown Alley featured MikeNaughton, Wally and Cher.

• BRING A PADLOCK W H E N YOU SEE

T H E G R E A T N A U S I N IP E R F O R M

THE M A I L BAG ESCAPEIN

THE VAN BROS- CIRCUS

N A U S I N I , 421 High St . , Cla rksburg , W. Va. 26301

Page 10 March 7,1977

F. A. "Babe" BOUDINOT, traffic managerxndgeneral agent in charge of advance crews for theRingling-Bamum show for years and until theend of their canvas tours, is with the BlackstoneTheatre in Chicago. He annually makes visits tosee former Mingling show personnel.F. B. "Bev" KELLEY, former RBBB press andpublicity chief, now lives in Oklahoma City af-ter living for years in Philadelphia. He keepsactive working advance for many touring showsfrom Broadway.CHARLIE SCHULER, former Cole Bros, andRBBB press agent, lives in retirement at Dune-din, Fla. He was listed on the RBBB programsthrough last season as a staff member. He stillhelps that show on its more difficult railroadjumps.GEORGE "Red" WHITE, side show talker andmanager on such shows as Al G. Barnes, Hagen-beck-Wallace, RBBB, Clyde Beatty, Tom Mixand Beatty-Cole, is a stage hand working in Las

During the 1926 season the Pullman & MackCircus toured mostly in Kentucky. The show'smanager was O. T. Clark, while the side showwas operated by D. Ray Phillips.

Vegas, where he and his wife Barbara now live.EDDIE HOWE, veteran circus press agent, justrecently went on the road as advance press agentfor United Artists' hit film "Rocky". Last fallhe bought a home in Anaheim, Calif., where heresides with his wife and family.WILLIAM L. "Bill" OLIVER, former contrac-ting press agent and manager of No. 1 AdvanceCars on many major circases, is almost blindand lives at the Elk's National Home in Bedford(Va.) He enjoys mail which should be address-ed to him at the home.GENE LYNCH, former RBBB staff member,lives in semi-retirement at Sarasota, Fla., withhis wife Despi. He works as a ticket seller at theSarasota Dog Track during the racing season.KENNETH "Sheik" GWINELL, former RBBBveteran is ill and hospitalized at Sarasota, Fla.

BOOKING NOW !

*

*

This year ue have acts booked for 68 solidweeks with HOLIDAY HIPPODROME and SHOWTIMEFOLLIES. Ue need more acts for several 1977special engagements for uhich ue are nou

"̂ booking shou organists and circus-variety--£t novelty acts suitable for indoor stage pre->j sentation.

CALL or send Resume, Photos & Salary to:

URG EHTERPMSES BK.Garden Bldg. 1507 Laurel St. Sarasota, FL 33577 (813) 366-9282

The Circus Report Page 11

The program for the Tripoli Shrine Circus, atMilwaukee, Wise., produced by L. N. Fleckles,features:The Lodi Duo, aerial cradle; Guy Gossing's ti-gers; The Albanis; The Edwardos; De Mille, wire;Randy & Sylvia; Martin, juggler; Jorge's Unpre-dictable Car; The Storybook Animals; Sebas-tian's Poodles; Gee Gee's ponies; Happy, theGown and a spotlight; Aerial Ballet with TheGirl in the Moon; Mister Rhythm, trained horse;The Wheel of Destiny; The Flying Lar-Rays;Ronald MacDonald, clown; The Rosell Troupe,high wire; Sabo's Chimps; Clown boxing act;The World Wheelers; The Reynoso Bros., Pir-ates of the Sky; Lambert!, balancing; The Hor-tobagyi Troupe; The Hernandez Troupe; Clownsand the Dentist; Gary's elephants; King's ele-phants; Gee Gee's elephants; The SensationalSwayirg stars; Hugo Zacchini's Apollo Rocket.

The show's staff included: L. N. Fleckles, pro-ducer; Dorothy E. Winn, general manager and

MiscellaneousAn all Mexican Circus, produced by FuentesGarca, which will be promoted and agented byFederico Rodriguez, is expected to open a sixmonth U.S. tour at San Antonio, Texas, onMarch llth.Funs-A-Poppin, the animal/variety show oper-ated by Betty Wendany has been enjoying goodbusiness in the Southern California area.

Beagle's Trained Animal Show, of 1926, wasoperated by Harry Beagle and toured in themid-west area. The show traveled on 5 trucks,offered 20 acts, plus four clowns. The band wasdirected by Johnnie Frazie. The program inclu-ded the Fisher Family of acrobats/wire/aerial

director; Al Youngman, musical director; AlDawley, announcer and equestrian director;Ernie McClain, singer; Ron Kelroy, prop bossand Eve Kelroy, wardrobe.

Clown Alley consisted of: Happy, Yo Ho, KoKo, Blinko and Goofee.

Please Make Note

HAG MAHON ASSOCIATES&

THE ROYAL AMERICAN MAGIC CIRCUSH A S M O V E D O U R G E N E R A L O F F I C E S T O

220-A W E S T R O S E M A R Y S T R E E T

C H A P L E H ILL , N. C. 27514

Phone: (919) 942 -7763

R a y M a c M a h o n , O w n e r & G e n e r a l M a n a g e r

We Can Use One Top Qual i ty Booking Agent C a p a b l e of Se t t i ng P h o n e s

Page 12 March 7,1977

Sol For long TourThe 1977 season for the American Big Top Cir-cus (formerly Dailey Bros. Circus) got under-way on Jan. 10th when the show opened atBlessing, Texas. After a ten day swing throughthe Rio Grande Valley the show moved intothe south central part of the state.

This year the circus has a brand new big top, a60 ft. round end with three 30 ft. middle sec-tions. The top is green and white striped andwas made by Norfolk Tent & Awning Co. Amatching 20 ft. x 30 ft. marquee is on order.

The midway consists of four carnival flat stores,moonwalk, Bert and Marie Pettus' food con-cession trailer, ticket office trailer and Mel Sil-verlake's giant snake exhibit. No side show isbeing carried at this time.

Rolling equipment includes: Semi/grain haulertrailer - poles and seats; Semi/van trailer - livingquarters, props, two light plants; Semi/van trai-ler - workingmen's sleeper, two elephants and acamel; Semi/van trailer - lead stock and an ele-phant; Straightbed - water tank, stake driver,stakes; Straightbed - ponies and pulls bear dentrailer; plus five privately owned units. Allshow trucks are painted green and white withno lettering.

Performance, under the direction of Mel Silver-lake, who also serves as announcer, runs onehour and 15 minutes and includes:

Single elephant; Isom Null, juggling; EddieLutz, menage horse; Peanut Pitch; Gloria Null,swinging ladder; Educated Chimp; Clown gag,Isom Null, illusion; Single Pony; Isom Null &Co., Jargo; Elephant ride (50 cents); GloriaNull, web; Mel Silverlake, monkey; Isom Null,whips; Midway announcement; Mel Silverlake,pony drill.

Show personnel includes: John (Gopher) Dav-enport, owner/manager; Mel Silverlake, bigshow announcer; Peggy Nul l , organist; BrownieSilverlake, snake exhibit; Gloria Null , big showtickets; Clara Stevens, front door and purchas-ing; Jimmy Lee Long, canvas boss, assisted bytwo men; Eddie Lutz, lead stock and water man;Isom Null, marquee and Kenny Renter, electri-cian and mechanic.

(The fol lowing item is reprinted from Hy Gard-ner's "Glad You Asked That" column in re-sponse to a question as to whether Karl Wallen-da ever gets nervous.

"Yes," Karl conceded, "several times in my 72years. Like the time I walked the wire with mywife on my shoulders - when she was sevenmonths pregnant!

"Another time, after I fell 40 feet in a matineeperformance I was nervous before I did the eve-ning show that same night.

"I was also nervous that night of April 5, 1928,when I opened with Barnum & Bailey in Madi-son Square Garden. At the end of our presen-tation the audience applauded and whistled. Iran out of the arena, sure I'd be cancelled thenext day. But I wasn't. I was told that was theway an audience in America showed how muchthey liked the act. In Europe, whistling was likebooing is over here.

Come to think of it," he told us. "my most ner-vous time was months after I (only 16 at thetime) had an affair with a woman appearing inthe same variety show I was in , in Germany. Iwas suddenly informed the woman was the mosthunted female spy of World War I, Mata Hari. Iknew her as Margaretha Gertrud Zelle. She waslater executed, I heard."

Footnote: Although Wallenda's wife accompan-ied him to the Fontainebleau for his spacewalk,she was too nervous to watch. Karl himself wasso jittery, because of the breeze and showers,he even considered taping the segment. How-ever, pro that he is, he did it live.

Later, over a double martini, he said: "I willnever stop walking. God will have to make mestop."

Captain James Davis was called away from hisoff the road duties and pressed into service onthe show, handling the three elephants - Jenny,Susie and Tommy. He spent ten days with theshow caring for the bulls until a suitable hand-ler could be obtains. This is his second season ofcivilian l i fe since working for Mel Silverlake'sFisher Bros. Circus.

The Circus Report Page 13

'

-

•

•

TlijingRamos

^^

kppe.aHA.ng

LAS VEGAS

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISESH O L L Y W O O D T A F T B U I L D I N G H O L L Y W O O D f t V I N b H O L L Y W O O D . C A L I F O R N I A 9 0 0 2 8

A R E A CODE 2 1 3 H O L L Y W O O D 2 - 6 0 0 1

Page 14 March 7, 1977

Pot-P.Visitors at the Royal Hanneford Circus duringits White Plains (N.Y.) date included: JohnPhillips, Joe Menshun, Fred Griffin, Irma Ste-vens, Rose Adair, Nick Falzone, Tommy Sink,Phil Dunlap and Rosita Ban.Jerry Maas is arranging new musical scores forMike Naughton's "Michelangelo Paint Co." act....Dave Maas (14) will retire from the slack wirein March, but father Jerry and brother Brianwill remain with the Royal Hanneford band.Kim Norman is working the Wood's bird actSigner Rai is traveling solo this season NancyGiordano, debuted her beautiful aerial lyra atWhite Plains....The Chandlers, Tom Sink, TheDubsky's, Scotts, Herbie Weber and others willwork George Hubler's winter dates.Illusionist Dorian Blake recently finished twoweeks of Magic shows in the Northeast....PattyAntalek's dogs and chimps will continue withthe corporation shows in '77 Tommy Sinkwill be producing clown on Hoxie Bros.

... Mike Naughton

In Memoriam-o

EARL MOSSMAN (88) died recently at Port-land, Oregon. He was known as the "Mayor ofBroadway" in Portland and had been a vaude-ville and stage star for many years. Known by .showfolks everywhere, Mossman had a wideacquaintance with circus people and at onetime was a headliner in traveling stage showswith circus acts. In 1964 he'was appointed theHonorary Ringmaster of King Bros. Circus dur-ing its tour in Oregon and rode the show ele-phant during each performance.

BILLY BARTON (Continued)

Music Theatres in Florida....Talent set by ROSEADAIR includes WELDE's BEARS, PRINCE NAJVEZ,CIMSE's Dogs, MARCO POLO and VEND VENITO.

JOHNNY WALKER nominates the "Big 3 of the Pasa-.dena Super Bowl": BUZ2Y (Cuttin): The Worker -RED (Gates): The Thinker CAMEL-RIDER: theDrinker.

See you down the road, luvs.

IF YOU WANT THE JOB DONE RIGHT!CARL E . C O N L E Y(30 YEARS IN CIRCUS BUSINESS)

JUGGLING-LIBERTY HORSE ACT

ANNOUNCER

'77 SEASON WITH ROYAL BROS. CIRCUS

A-1 CONCESSION MGR. and SIDE SHOW MGR.

Year Round Address: 2635 Norton Road Kent, Ohio 44240

The Circus Report Page 15

P"°°UCED AND DIRECTED BY ED Wl^

S U C C E S S F U L W O R L D P R E M I E R E

SAN J U A N , P. R. - th ru Mar. 20

P O N C E , P. R. - Mar. 24 - 27

STARDUST PRODUCTIONS LTD • P O BOX 361O • CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND 02910

Page 16 March 7, 1977

CBS-TV improved its ratings by presenting theMonte Carlo Circus Festival's top stars in a pro-gram that could easily have run 90 minutes in-stead of its allotted 60 minutes.

The red, white and blue, four pole top was at-tractively viewed from inside and out. Stripedsidewall, with stars hanging from the top offer-ed an impressive aerial view, but the multi-color-ed interior was even more impressive. Severalsuper spotlights, working from d i f fe ren t angles,along with theatre type l ight ing gave each actthe opportunity to sell itself to the fullest. Theonly ring curb used was attractive, both insideas well as outside of the ring. The gold trimmer1

bandstand and backdoor entrance added classand dignity to the entire setting, somethingthat is badly needed in this country.

The acts were those that had been judged thebest of the four day event. Each worked fastand smoothly, for a thoroughly enjoyable per-formance for everyone.

The show's host, Chad Everett, conducted someinteresting interviews with Prince Rainier andvarious circus performers. His questions weren'tthe usual run of the mill questions heard inother circus specials. Instead he seemed to beprobing into the inner workings and thoughts ofthe performers and circus officials. His inter-

view with Prince Rainier showed a man deeplyinvolved with the success of the circus world.The Prince discussed the harassment of circusesand their animal keepers by humane groups,which h*s now reached a world-wide involve-ment. It is time for the circus people to worktogether for the betterment of the circus, hesaid. Certainly if some circuses can properlycare for their animals, all should be able to dothis.

He also mentioned that clowns were disappoint-ing and that all you see are the same old.routines. The one clown number in the showclearly stated that you can't turn out clownsenmasse from a school. Real comedy has tocome from within and not from a textbook.

Prince Rainier also said that he doesn't like thethree ring circus, as it is too distracting. Youwill never see such shows for our annual Fes-tival, he said, for with one act at a time the au-dience can appreciate all they are doing.

All in all, the Monte Carlo Circus Festival waswell presented and produced, with an attrac-tive setting. In Europe the circus is an art formand they try their best to show it as such. Bothin Europe and the U.S. the circus is big money,the difference it appears, is that in Europe thepatron is given some consideration and theyare treated with respect, by shows who appre-ciate their patronage.

.. B. Frank

The Circus Report Page 17

ROUTESCARMEN'S WONDERLAND OF MAGIC

Mar. 5 Kingsport, Tenn.6 Johnson City7 Bristol

10 Greenville, Miss.11 Greenwood12 Thibodux, La.

KEN GRIFFIN (Magic)Mar. 7 Crane, Texas

8 Big Lake10 Dublin11 Sonora

ICE AMERICAMar. 3-5 Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

6-7 Pittsburgh9-10 Concord, N. H.

11=12 Cape Code, Mass

PROF. MILLER & Co. (Magic)Mar. 7 Lexington, Miss.

8-9 Belzoni11 Cleveland

SPORTS SHOWMar. 10-13 Waterloo, Iowa

THE CIRCUS REPORT is published each week byDon Marcks, 525 Oak St., El Cerrito, Cal. 94530.SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $12.00 per year

TROUPERSSarasota, Fla., former winter quarters for theRingling-Barnum Circus, now is the retirementarea of dozens of that show's former personnel.Included are: Unus, Ardelty, Kelly, Moroski,Wirth, Loyal, Concello and the Wallendas.

Thirty years ago, Bev Kelley, circus publicist,wrote the following poem for publication inthe 1947 RBBB route book.

The poem is worth re-printing probably becauseit typifies the feeling of most ex-circus folks,no matter what show they were on.

- • Eric Wilson

TROUPERS RETIREby Bev Kelley

They saved enough to quit, live in a town -Old troupers, leaving circus trails at last.And yet, when evening's curtain has rung downAnd silence cleaves the quiet, sheltered cove,They hear the phantom wagons rumbling past.The hollow sounds keeps rolling through their

dreams,And when a storm knocks at the window pane,And through each tiny crack the north wind

screams,They hear instead as on a canvas dome,Drum-tight, the soft tattoo of summer rain.

Still, hoping with determination grim,They vow to live the life that others do.And when the organ peals a stately hymn,Inspiring with majestic, solemn surge,

A ghostly calleyope comes piping through.This is the promised land, the golden day;This is the bright mirage that blinds the eyesOf circus troupers whose bright roadway layBeyond the boundries of a village street -Abreast Apollo's sun steeds in the sky.The snorting, charging stallions of the sun!The spinning, flame-flecked wheels that pace

the dawnOf seeming, endless seasons never done;Like winding, spangled caravans that pause'In sunlit hours, then load and thunder on.They saved enough and left the show, retired,And buil t a house to hold them 'til they'd die;They boasted that had all their hearts desired,And never looked back down the winding roadBut in their dreams the wagons still roll by.

Page 18 March 7, 1977

A glaring error appeared twice in the Feb. 21stissue of CR, when the site of the Hubert Castleproduced Saladin Shrine Circus was movedfrom Grand Rapids to Detroit. The error wasnot the result of writer Jon Friday, but ratherwas caused by a mixup of copy as the paperwas being set in type.

._ * ._

The Zoo Story in the Jan. 31st issue of CR re-ported that a brown bear had been killed at theCentral Park Zoo, actually it was a polar bear. Aman who later was determined to be intoxica-ted decided that the bear was "tame" and climb-ed over the 6 ft. guard fence and stuck his armthrough the bars, apparently with the intentionof petting him. The bear grabbed his arm withits teeth and the man started pulling back andscreaming. The police officer who responded.tried at first to make the bear let go, as he wasrcgi'lariy assigned to the zoo, and had no de-sire to shoot the animal. He clubbed the ani-mal several times with his night stick, thinkingthe bear might turn and grab the stick. Whenthis didn't work, he fired the pistol close to thebear's ear, th ink ing the sudden loud noisemight make it back off. Finally, he saw noother possibility and shot the bear once, kil l ingit. The man who started the whole thing wastaken to a local hospital, where the only treat-ment he required was stitching, an indication,that the bear was not really trying to hurt him,since he could easily have ripped the arm off.

CLAUDE ARWOOD (12) has hi* own jugglingact which is frequently featured on shows inthe mid-west area.

Full-Color Action Performance Shots, LotViews, Scenics, Equipment, Band Photos.1976 Circus Season Photos Now Available

Additional Photos Dating Back to 1971Season Also For Sale. For Details, SendStamped, Self-Addressed Envelope To:

JAMES D. KALIVODA1509 South Clinton Avenue

Berwyn, Illinois - 60402

PRICES ARE GOING UP MAY 1, 1977!!ORDER NOW AND SAVE!!

DANNY DANIELS, Organist, Comic and Jug-gler, has been busy with his One Man VarietyShow playing Industrial and Automotive showsthrough Ohio and Michigan. Circus being hisfirst love, he will again this year play circusdates during the summer under the big top.

AL HOUSE reports that a bad storm hurt at-tendance for the Royal Hanneford Circus dateat White Plains, N. Y., Feb. 19-21. Sunday wasthe worst day, he added, and the Felix AdlerCFA Tent Meeting was cancelled.

CHARLES BELLATTI, recently resigned asdirector of alumni affairs and public informa-tion at Illinois College, to join Carson & BarnesCircus as director of the show's public relationsand advertising. He will work about two weeksahead of the show.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL TRAINER

AND LOVELY BONNIE BALE

ROYAL CONTINENTAL P E R E O R M I N G STALLIONS- Liberty — Long Rein High School -

NOW TRAINING FOR R.B.B.B. NEW CIRCUS WORLD

P. O. Box 2006 - HAINES CITY, FLA. 33844 - PHONE: (813) 424-2421

The Circus Report Page 19

CONGRATULATIONS/

Jamei IH. ColeCOLE ALL-STAR T.V. CIRCUS

A GIANT IN THE INDUSTRY!We're Proud To Celebrate Your

60th yearIn Show Business With You

As Performers and Staffof your 1977 tour

YOUR FRIENDS

HOLVECK & CO. DAVID RAWLSBOB& JANE LANG FAMILY MICHAEL RAWLSBARRY MILLER TROUPE BOB & MAUREEN RAWLS

INGA & ROBERT WILLIAMS