UJJJ]HAL HAVILAND

The Circus Report

Commentfrom FAY ALEXANDER

In 1942,1 was with the Russell Bros. Cir-cus doing a teeterboard and risley act withTed DeWayne and Bill Snyder. This was ayear after Ernie Clarke's death.

On the show were Charles and PercyClarke, doing their marvelous juggling actand Charles was catching in the double wideact of the Flying Escalantes.

Charles' daughter Percina was also withthem, working in the juggling act. This wassome time before t started my flying career.

One day while in the dressing room, TedDeWayne, Bill Snyder, myself, Charlie andPercy were in a conversation about flying.Ted asked Charlie if anyone had done aquad.

Charlie said when they were in Mexico onewinter that they did practice the quad andthat his brother, Ernie, did a perfect quad,but that he did not catch it for fear of hurt-ing his brother's shoulders.

Ted DeWayne is dead, as are Charlie andPercy, but Bit) Snyder and I are still alive.If we were told a lie then I must appologizeto Mr. Harry Graham.

But, since there were 27 years betweenthe time they attempted the quad, 1915,and the time I heard this story, perhapsCharlie forgot that he caught it.At any rate, I too would like to add my

congratulations to the Flying Vazquez.

Page 3

PEOPLESEBASTIAN ADRIANI recently visitedwith Joe Valenciano. While in Tampa, Se-bastian is lining up several illusions for ma-jor Shrine dates.

Rememberingby TED LaVELDA

The 1957 season of the Tex Carson Circus,which was the forerunner of the Carson &Barnes Circus, featured the following folks:Jack and Angela Moore, owners and man-

agers; Tom Mclaughlin, agent; Luke Anderson, concessions and Hippo show; Jack Tur-ner, legal adjuster and snake show; Ted LaVelda, side show manager; Blonda Ward,equestrian director; Marie Loter, organist;Paul Pyle, lot supt.; Shorty Lynn, bosscanvasman; Ruth Phillips, cook; KellySwim, purchasing agent; Dorothy Turner,office; Don McCracken and Mike Moore,side show canvas.

The performance consisted of: Dick LoterFamily, aerial acts; Jimmy and Dolly Con-ners, wire/juggling; Wanda Moore, aerialist;Shelby and Babe Jackson, bars/trampoline;Jim Speagle, pick out pony; Mike Moore,'Big Mable' the elephant; David de Lock,gun spinner; Col. Bill and Babe Woodcock,elephants; Clown numbers by La Velda TrioDick Loter and Jim Speagle. The after showconcert featured Jack Walsh, a strong man.

The show opened at Atoka, Oku., andclosed at Gila Bend, Ariz., and wintered inStanfield, Ariz. The show crossed the Con-tinental Divide eight times during the sea-son.

Oh, yes. John Hicks was the pitch man.

urnFelipe Vazquez was struck in the face by

his trapeze bar during his dismount in aperformance of the Ringling-Barnum RedUnit at Salt Lake City. He was replaced inthe act by Gino Farfan, and Felipe wasexpected to return to the act in Chicago.

Page 4 October 26, 1981

SHOW DATESBauer-Hall All Star Circusto Nov 1 Jackson, NJ

- End of Season -

Beatty-Cole CircusOct 23-25 Alexandria,

Texas

Big John Strong CircusOct 18 Yucaipa, Calif.

- End of Season -

Brickie's Wonderland Cir.Oct 26 Dale, SC

27-28 Walterboro29-30 Est i l l

31 Sumter

Carson & Barnes CircusOct 26 Vernon, Ala.

27 Eutaw28 Quitman, Miss.29 Lucedale30 Monticello

31 -Nov l Jackson

Circus Arts TroupeOct 29-Nov 1 Scottsdale,

Ariz

Circus VargasOct 27-29 Corpus Christi

Texas

Hoxie Bros. CircusOct 26 Oe Funiak Sprgs

Fla27 Blountstown28 Daytona Beach*i ft i -29 Cocoa30 Sanfnrd"11 Rptlpujpuu*J 1 DClrLVIClnr

Nov 1 Altamonte Sprgs

Ringling-Bamum • BlueOct 29-Nov 8 Cleveland

Ohio

Ringling-Barnum - Redto Nov. 1 RosemontJII

Royal Crown CircusOct 28-31 Des Moines, la

Royal Lichtenstein Cir.Oct 26 Martin, Tenn.

27-28 Memphis29 Warren, Ark.30Shreveport,La.31 Jackson, Miss.

TNT& Royal OlympicOct 27-31 Mesquite, Tex

- . « MAGIC"*

Fantastic Felix SnipesOct 30-31 Atlanta, Ga.

It's Magic ShowOct 28-Nov 8 Los Ang, Cal

KrystaliOct 26-31 San Diego, Ca.

Pf. Miller -Magic Time USAOct 26 Sedalia, Mo.

27 Marshall28 Boonville29 Higgensville31 Belton

Nov 1 Warrensburg

NordlawOct 28 Marshall, Mich

29 Unadilla30 Saugatuck

StarfireOct 28-31 Lincoln, Neb

VINO BEROSINICall: 81 3 -677 -5437

- COLLECT -IMPORTANT

AttentionJAN NAUD

- Call Your Father-

PEOPLEJAN BENTON recentlyjoined Pat Guthrie of theGuthrie Shows and is nowworking his ride elephant,Myrtle.

FRANK DEAN has beenattending a special schoolin Mexico and at the sametime is working on two ofhis new western books.

TOM ROBIN, of the Fly-ing Robins at Circus World,accomplished the twistingdouble somersault for theTV cameras of the show"You Asked For It."

/^~) s£*->~(^s&&**>^.s

• - - O T H E R D A T E S - - -

Disney World on IceOct27-Nov1 N. Haven

Conn

James H. Drew ExpositionOct 29-Nov 7 Augusta.Ga

— End of Season —

Grand NationalsOct23-Nov1San Fran

Calif.

Holiday on Ice/Ice FolliesOct 27-Nov 1 Birmingham

AlaRoyal Scots DragoonsOct 27Tempe, Ariz.

nn o t • ~28 Sun City29 San Diego, Calif

30-Nov 1 Anaheim

THANK YOUBOSWELL-WILKIE

C I R C U S

IN

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

AND

A SPECIAL THANKS TO

MR. KEITH ANDERSON, GENERAL MANAGER

CARLOS DESIGNSCUSTOM-MADE CIRCUS RIGGINGS AND SAFETY

EQUIPMENT WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Page 6 October 26,1981

Ci rcus Tarantariby G E O R G E C.BINGAMAN

Circus Tarantari arrived in Baltimore har-bor after steaming out of Amsterdam ear-ly in June, bound for Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Md., for the 45thAnnual Gathering of the Circus Model Buil-

ders International.Playing three a day to enthusiastic aud-

iences Bert and Louisa Kramer, of Abcnude,a suburb of Amsterdam, wowed the audi-ences at the model builders exhibits with achild-like toy model circus, fantasizing "theway children play circus."

The large-scale model circus performers andanimals were manipulated skillfully employ-ing a ring turntable, special lighting and spotlighting. The ingenious circus performancemanipulation delighted the audiences somuch that the crowd reactions were as ap-preciative as if it were a live circus.

Bert and Louisa Kramer have built a beau-tiful large-scale model circus along contin-ental lines and combined animated figuresand animals to complement the circus fan-tasy which allowed tricks and acts "neverperformed before in circus chronicles."

Shades of Barnum and Bailey's Atlanticvoyages at the turn of the century. CircusTarantari was crated for the return to win-terquarters in Abcoude after playing theHoward County dates.Thanks to the alertness of John Paul Ro-

berts, general chairman of the 1981 CMBInternational, he was able to foresee thevalue of Tarantari at the 1981 conclave.European circus enthusiasts in touch withAmerican circusiana made inquires concern-ing a visit and participating in the CMB con-

vention in the Baltimore area. It did not takelong to arrange for Tarantari's American od-yseey. Circus Tarantari in Maryland repre-sents the first European circus showing inthe U.S. A, since the Moscow Circus visits inthe 70's. Prior to this the importation ofEuropean and foreign acts was the primarysource of circus outside America, whichwas enjoyed stateside.The genuine goodwill of the Kramers,

their artistry and craftsmanship is reflectedin the speaches delivered to the HowardCounty conventioners. This reviewer hopesto make their texts available to CR readers.

Here follows the program of displays ofthe greatest circus model show on earth!

To the music of a great circus band thevoice of a child bellows "Children of all ages.. " And the show begins as a representativevariety of the dramatic personnae paradearound the ring turntable style.

Enter the majestic male-maned lions whocavort in the steel cage circling, riding themotorcycle, walking the bar and riding onthe handlebars above the cycle.

Enter those marvelous polar bears, shadesof Bottcher, circling the ring, pulling thesleigh, sliding down the chutes, walking onthe hind legs, more than ten foot tall.

Hear those honks? Six marvelous perfor-ming seals make their entrance finding their

station three abreast opposite each other.Look, their heads are wiggling side to side.One walks the wire balancing a ball. In comethe six horns. Before you can believe whatyou are hearing the six marine performersare playing "our song."

At this point the audience is all wrappedup in the circus fantasy and applause rip-ples appropriately at the climax of each

(Continued on Page 27)

PageS October 26,1981

WANTEDSmall Animal Acts to work in Asia for onemonth • Must have light equipment to flyacross the Pacific.

TIBOR ALEXANDER, Artist-ManagerP. 0. Box 87

West Lebanon, NY -12195Phone:518-794-7878Hotline: 518-794-7784

O71//VLinda Evans was scratched by a leopard

while working in the upcoming film "Cir-cus of the Stars". She will remain in thespecial TV show, working as a host ratherthan performing in an act.

Bob Top, roller skating star, suffered amited heart attack while rehearsing withCarol Lawrence for the show "Circus ofthe Stars."

JACK A. LEONTINI (81) died at a Sara-sota, Fla., nursing home on Sept. 30th. Hewas a long-time director of the Tom PacksCircus and had been associated with thelate Karl Wallenda for many years. He wasa member of the Moolah Shrine Temple inSt. Louis. Burial was at Manasota Memor-ial Park in Sarasota, Fla., on Oct. 6th.

CorrectionThe following acts were somehow omitted

from recent ads in CR for Tibor Alexander:Angela Wilnow and Her Collies should have

been listed in the Ian Garden advertisement(Sept. 21) for Three Rivers, Quebec.

The Young Troupe, teeterboard and jugg-ling and Philip Anthony, liberty horsesshould have been listed in the Bentley Bros,advertisement (Oct. 12).

Page 10 October 26, 1981

A couple of clowns(from an article by Michael Bates, which ap-peared in the Topeka (Kam) Capital-Journalon Aug. 23, 1981).

Tammy Parish chases her husband aroundwith a rolling pin • sometimes twice a day.

Then, Tom Parish gets out his lawn mow-er and goes after his wife's grass skirt - whileshe's in it.

But no one wants to break up the frequentmarital confrontations. They are part of thn

Ringling-Barnum Circus which played Wich-ita earlier this year.The couple is the only husband-wife clown

Tammy Parish chases her husband, Tom,during their act with the Ringling-BarnumCircus performance.

team with the circus. Parish once thought heand his wife might end up as an teachers.

But he changed his mind after graduatingfrom a junior college near his hometown ofNeodesha, a community of about 3,500 inthe southeastern corner of the state.

He began sending unusual pleas to the Ringling-Barnum Clown College in Florida, at-tempting to become one of the 50 to 60 stu-dents accepted annually from the thousandsof applicants. He wrote frequently, puttinghis message on tissue, post cards, cardboardand a 200 foot roll of tablecloth paper."I was persistent," he said.

He didn't know how much being a clownpaid and didn't care."I would have done it for practically noth-

ing just to say I was with Ringling Bros, andBarnum & Bailey Circus," Parish said.After clown school graduation he served a

$155 a week, one year apprenticeship withthe circus' Blue Unit, and then began a swiftclimb to the supervisory position of clownboss that he now holds. Next year, he willbe able to negotiate his own contract.

"I've been lucky," he said. "At the time Ijoined the Blue Unit, there just weren't alot of senior clowns."The couple were married after Parish's first

season, and Mrs. Parish was accepted at theclown college.

Tom and Tammy Parish as they appear without clown make-up.

"Relatives like what we're doing and theycome and see us whenever they can," Parishsaid. "We've got friends we grew up withwho have 9-to-5 jobs and we don't see howthey do what they're doing • that old rou-tine of a normal person.

"They don't see how we do what we do,living circus 24 hours a day. But while theywatch the clock and put in their eight hourdays.." Parish said, "we're busy playing allday long," Mrs. Parish added.Getting in the mood to perform, even on

occasional down days, is no problem for

(Continued on Page 23)

A Clown Showby HANABELLE

Last night, Oct. 1st, marked the openingof a New York show, but it was more than"another opening of another show." Thistime, the opening was a clown show.With the revival of public respect for the

arts of clowning, sparked some ten yearsago in equal parts by Ringling's Clown Col-lege and Fellini's The Clowns, a show devo-ted to and made for, by and with clowns, isa natural hit, if it's good. This one is.

"My Heart Is tn Your Shoes" is a tellingof old clown tales (new to Americans, how-ever), with an addition of contemporaryflair and talent. It is the first New York ef-fort by Yuri Belov, formerly Director ofClowning for the Moscow State Circus. Itis a small show, at an intimate theatre, andis done with taste, humor, pathos and grandprofessionalism. The latter quality is presentin a finely-distilled essence made up of Mr.Belov's knowledge of clown skits, gags, andskills, and the experience and talents of hisperformers. Mr. Belov is the orchestrator,and plays lovely tunes on his willing anddisciplined instruments. They, in turn, func-tion as solos and as ensemble players with ahinh deoree of resnonsivRness.

Fred Yockers, who is Mingling trained, andhas spent some time on circus circuits, hashoned his character, Fritz, to exquisite phy-sical intensity and emotional clarity. Fritzis sometimes schpolmarmish, but then againhe reverts, in silliness and purposeful confu-sion, to a most touching and delightfulclown-school child. Fred's candy-lover, bal-let partner, and statue all merit close atten-tion and were evidently loved by the au-dience.John Grimaldi, who is mainly known for

the execellence of his juggling, puts hisusual skills to unusual uses, coming up withthe help of Mr. Belov, with a marvelousturn of true juggling and clown juggling. Hehas never been in better form. Other nicebits were John's hilarious struggle under ahuge trunk (as a magician's assistant) andhis balletic villain.

Tanya Sadofyeva, in her American debut,is an actress-comedienne-clown of enor-mous charm and skill. She gives the kind ofperformance that wins the audience's heart,using her bubbly, forthright earthiness withgreat effect. It is interesting to note thatone or two of the endings provided for MissSadofyeva that try for poignancy are impos-

(Continued on Page 21)

A New Star10 year old Karen Antoinette Howe (her

middle name is for Antoinette Concello),and daughter of former Ringling-BamumCircus press agent Eddie Howe, told herDad to tell the circus world "she is readyto perform professionally next year."

Karen states too, that she wants to carryon the Howe family show business tradi-tion, her Grandpa was the late famed showman M. D. "Doc" Howe, white her Dad isEddie Howe who was a press agent on ma-jor circuses, including RB8B, Cole Bros.,Polack Bros., Clyde Beatty and others for24 years before he became a movie studiopress agent.

Karen went to her first circus when shewas but two weeks old, in July 1971. Thatwas backstage at Ringling-Barnum at theForum in Inglewood, Calif., where she firstmet her idols, the Flying Gaonas.When Karen was two years old and at that

show again. Chela and Tito Gaona put herup on the backstage practice trapeze barwhere Karen promptly hung by one ankleand did other routines that astounded the

Ringling on-lookers. She has done so eversince on both the Ringling and Vargas cir-cuses nearly year-around in her travels tothem with her Dad.

Karen has been into advanced gymnasticsand tumbling classes in Huntington Beach,Calif., daily for the past several years. Shealso has been learning dressage and menagehorse riding at Corona, Calif.

On the circuses she practices with the fly-ing acts where her main love lies. She hasalso learned aerial web ballet from the Ringling pro's.

She knows just about everyone on bothRingling units and with Circus Vargas andis a familar sight on these shows annually.Acts told Eddie this year that "Karen is

already • ready right now" to perform pro-fessionally. So Dad made up his mind recently while they were visiting and practicingon Ringling Red at Salt Lake City that Kar-en will be performing professionally in '82and onwards.

She is now in Anaheim, Calif., and atten-ding So. Calif., area flying act instructors-classes.

Page 14 October 26, 1981

Wild West Show(From the Moberly, Mo., Monitor of Sept.25. 1906- Reprinted in their 115th anni-versary issue dated Sept. 27, 1981)

from CHARLES LIEDL

Traveling on its own train of 20 speciallyconstructed cars, the Greater CosmopolitanShows and Wild West, regarded as the lar-gest street fair and carnival company carry-ing only moral and refined attractions, ar-rived in Moberly (Mo) yesterday afternoonfrom Sedalia, Mo., and will furnish localpeople with refined and attractive amuse-ments during the entire week.A large throng of interested spectators

awaited the carnival's arrival and when itpulled into the Katy yards and a great num-ber remained to witness the unloading ofthe show's vast parphernalia.

It was almost a revelation to the largerproportion of the crowd, not so much themere work of unloading, but the orderlymanner and the absence of profane andvulgar language ordinarily heard about acircus train at such times. This alone madequite an impression and added largely tothe already good opinion formed throughthe newspaper notices and excellent testi-monials gained in other towns where thecompany has established itself as enviablereputation for provding only moral and re-fined features suitable for ladies and chil-dren.

The Cosmopolitan company will furnishMoberly people 13 excellent paid at t rac-tions, chief of which is Tantlinger's WildWest and Indian Congress, which requiresover 50 people to present the realistic re-

WANT TO BUYSMALL CALLIOPE

Phone: 614-493-2401

production of western life, in which theIndians, cowboys and other western peopleare seen in mimic battles and sporting con-tests, a full hour's amusement is provided.Included also is the list of paid attractions

are the Outlaw Show, Great London GhostShow, the Alps, or a day in Switzerland,Fighting the Flames, Jumbo, the giant snakeFerris Wheel, carousel or merry-go-round,Arcade or Penny vaudeville. Crazy House,Turtle George, Animal Zoo, Hike the Bike,Alabama Minstrels and the KatzenjammerKastle.

Chief among the free attractions is Char-les Strahl's remarkable high dive from thetop of a 110 ft. ladder to a small life sav-ing net below. Although Moberly peoplehave been accorded similar sights, in thediving of several excellent performers whohave been here in the past, it is said thatStrahl's remarkable dive will more thanplease them.

It is the claim of Mr. Strahl, who declareshe will not be called "professor" as someperformers demand, that he is diving 30 ftfarther than any other person has dared toattempt. In using a net for landing Mr, Str-ahl has made his act not only a novelty inthis class of attractions, but assumes addedrisk of his life.

Special concerts of classic and popularmusic on the big calliope, as well as programsof excellent band music by the Greater Cos-

(Continued on Page 19)

Page 16 October 26,1981

RBBB Blue Unitby ALTON L JONES

RBBB Blue Unit moved into Indianapolis(Sept. 22-27) for six days and was well ad-vertised on TV and in the local media. WeHoosiers like to write up any story possibleabout all the visiting circuses, hence thisone.

This was the 110th edition of "The Great-est Show on Earth!" The program beganwith a Circus Celebartion, a new first forRBBB. Well done and well applauded. Thenfollowed the Beauty and the Bears, handledsuperbly by Ursula Bottcher. These giantwhite bears perform magnificently. Ten po-lar bears, six males and four females, weigh-ing close to 1600 Ibs each. There is a rum-mer going around that this will be the lasttour of this troupe in ihr United States.

The bears were followed by some addition-al 'First in America', Duo Krisztov and DuoGrzelak with their splendid aerial artistry intwo rings. Then the Cyclonic Cossacks withexquiste horsemanship - one the deluxe side.The clowns filled in with much fun til the

Flying Familes of the Segreras and the Fly-ing Padillas, showed us artistry deluxe in theair.

Our next exhibition was the King CharlesTroupe who can do more on wheels with abasketball than most of us could do all af-ternoon on the ground. This was followedby the Clown Charavari, most worth-some.The perch pole perfectionists followed in

one ring the Polania Troupe, the secondring the Duo Dobritch and the GeorieveTroupe exhibiting their skills of strengthand endurance.The Grantcharovi, first time in America,

kept everyone on a high interest level asthey performed their aerial artistry. Thencame The Circus Galaxy, that took spaceadventurism with aerial satelittes to a newheight, as Betty and Johnny Zoppe perfor-med at top-notch ability • space ships ga-lore.

The astounding Charty Baumann as the ti-tan of the tigers gave his usual grand perfor-mance with 15 Royal Bengal and Siberiantigers, with many of the younger ones hav-

(Continued on Page 17)

The Circus Report Page 17

Clown NewsbyBOBSTODDARD

Checkers and Patches have some TV com-mitments that forced them to cancel thisyear's Or. Pepper Circus at the State of Te-xas Fair in Dallas. Producer Git Gray hasreplaced them with Johnny Peers as pro-ducing clown.James "Jim-Bow" Decker and Poppy 'Pop

py' Benner of the Texas Mid-Cities ClownAlley No. 85 make their debut as circusclowns at this year's State Fair.

The Grimaldis, Vesta and Kenny were thestars of the Sept. 26th Grapevine Oprvshows. They featured their vent and dogacts. I believe they are direct decendentsfrom the original Joey Grimaldi. All clownsare called "Jo?ys" today, in honor of thisgreat clown

Rags the Clown (the Pride of Amarillo)came to Dallas to help Lou Flowers "Hon-ey" Stoddard and Susan "Little Dot" Hu-guley do some advance promotion for theirClown and Circus Days event at TradersVillage, Oct. 17-18.

RBBB BLUE (Continued)

ing been trained after being raised by themaster. This was following intermission.Then came the fearless Elvin Bale on his

Wheel of Death. He just recently returnedfrom a tour in Australia and Japan, as acelebrated artist.Some new acts, the first in America, were

the Lipenska, from Poland, the Salavovifrom Bulgaria and the Bober, also from Po-land. Their horsemanship was perfectionfirst class. Then came the bounding group.The Oblocki, from Poland, the Silagi, fromBulgaria and also from that country, theKehaiovi, who were teeterboard experts ofthe super class. One must see it to appre-ciate it.

The Gautier Family, another first in Am-erica, presented the elephants. The elegent-ly trained elephants performed many aston-ishing deeds. Next were the Guerrero Troupeon the silver strand and finally came theGreat Elvin Bale with his Blast Cannonspectacle.

This summary is very brief, go see the showand enjoy what we saw.

The Circus Report Page 19

RemberbyBILLWOTSCH

Around 1958 or so I was in Sarasota, staying at the Pioneer Motel near downtownSarasota, Fla.

The owners were Mr. and Mrs. GotliebFischer, former giants with the Ringling-Bamum Circus.

I was staying in Unit 1, and Mrs. Gotliebseeing my name was German, came overand spoke in German to me. Mr. Gotliebshook hands and my hand was small whencompared to his.

Mr. Gotlieb often was dressed in shortsand wore tennis shoes. In the evening hewould sprinkle the lawn and cars wouldstop to look at this giant in his unusualapparal.

One time he stood in the pool and touch-ed his chest. "Only this deep here," hesaid, "jump in." But since I wasn't dressedfor swimming I just sat and watched.

We used to sit in the deck chairs and talkabout the old circus days and enjoyed somenice memories.

WILD WEST SHOW (Continued)mopolitan Military Band, under the leader-ship of Harry McGowan, together with thevarious free acts in front of the several showswill furnish ample amusement for the peo-ple between performances and not an idlemoment need be spent. All of the attrac-tions will fae open promptly at 7 tonight.In short, Moberly is to be afforded the samebig show, not curtailed in the least, that at-tracted such great crowds and so highly pleased the Sedalia people all the last week.

Clear weather is all that is required to makethis the greatest amusement event in thehistory of the city.

NOTE: The population of Moberly in1906 was 10,000 and is 13,700 now. TheRingling show played there Sept. 21,1905,Sept. 16,1915 (this date was cancekled onaccount of a muddy lot); then July 21,1917and under the Ringling-Barnum title Aug.29,1930; Sept. 6,1935 and the last timeAug. 20,1937.

Flying ValentinesWe are pleased to announce that

on

October 4, 1981

DIANE VALENTINE

has become the 6th woman in the world

to

successfully and consistently

accomplish the Triple Sommersault

on the Flying Trapeze

without the use of a Safety Belt of any kind.

CONGRATULATIONS DIANE

AND MAY ALL YOUR GOALS

BE AS EASILY ACHIEVED.

. . . . Raymond Valentine

The Circus Report Page 21

CLOWN SHOW (Continued)

ed upon skits that do not lead to poignantconclusions • making me suspect that Eur-opean blow-offs may differ in tone fromthose used here, and that perhaps the Eur-opean version of a female clown differsfrom our own.

However, as the pivotal focus of severalskits, Miss Sadofyeva shines brightly, panicular ly in 'The Train" (partnered by also excellent Jan Greenfield), 'The Plates" (sup-ported by delightful Joe Killian), and inseveral well-done bits in 'The Gun."

Two clowns, unknown to this reviewer,Jan Greenfield and Joe Killian, are bothstand-outs.Jan is a highly accomplished technician,

whose restraint, along with believeabilityof action, gesture, motivation and idea, isa pleasure to watch (his ballerina was quitewonderful, ditto the very ambitious solosaxophonist). In partnering the otherclowns, he was extremely sensitive to theirneeds and the structure of the skit. As Mr.Greenfield relaxes into this material, hisperformance will gather momentum anddazzle.Joe Killian (probably the youngest of the

quartet of men) was very pleasing. He hasa rare quality: unself-conscious funniness.Beginning with this rarity, he takes advan-tage of many opportunities to make people

laugh - using the nature and foibles of thecharacter he is building - a facial expressionhere, a small gesture there, an action verynicely suited to his character somewhereelse (loved his step-rope as compared to theother clown's jump-rope).

Mr. Bolov introduced the show, and step-ped in once or twice - effectively, and insync with the production.

The music was well done, the pianist GaryW. Gewant, in tune and in time, and tapesinterspersed nicely.

Scene and prop changes were handled ef-ficiently and smoothly.In all, this evening's offering was an exci-

ting addition to the New York circus andtheatre scene, and we hope that its limitedengagement of three weeks will spread andthat we will see much, much more of Mr.Belov's work.

A C T SActs set for the upcoming winter tour of

the Cole All Star TV Circus, the show's44th annual tour, will include:

The Great Oscar, the man who flys intospace; the Beautiful Elizabeth, foot jugg-ling; Billy Martin, announcer; The Bovays,strength and agility horizontal bar act; theCole Lovely Aerial Ballerinas, and a num-ber of other features.

The Circus Report Page 23

Win. Kay Ci rcusThe William Kay Shrine Circus wound up

its 1981 season playing for its 16th yearfor the Morocco Temple in Jacksonville,Fla., at the Jacksonville Coliseum on Satur-day, Oct. 10th and Sunday, Oct. 11th.

Prior to the above named date the showhad played in Mobile, Ala., which was anexcellent business engagement.

Acts playing both Mobile and Jacksonvil-le were: Andre's lions; Miss Michele, singletrapeze; Erik and Bobbie, dogs; The Jupi-ter Trio (Nock) double trapeze; Vidbel'sponies; Albanis, aerial motorcycle; The Fly-ing Lantonys; Katinka's Poodles; AdamsChimps; Cooks Comedy Car; Vidbel's ele-phants; Nocks swaypoles (Pio and Tony};Walt & Wendy, hand voltage and Ma-Ho-Pin, slide.John Malett directed the band and Mike

Pike was the organist Leo Mascitto direct-ed the band in Jacksonville.

Kris Krenkel, long-time Polack manager,promoted Mobile for Kay and then jump-ed to Charleston, W. Va. to work the datefor Sam Polack.

A COUPLE CLOWNS (Continued)

the couple."Once you're out there in front of those

people and the lights come up, you forgetall of your problems/' Mrs. Parish said.

"You're in makeup, so you've really leftthat other person asleep back in clown al-ley," says Parish.

As teenagers the two were members of aNeodesha unicycle clown club. Callingthemselves Topper and Twinkles, they andother clowns of the group entertained atbirthday parties and in local shows.

Now the couple lives in a small compart-ment on the circus train. They enjoy thetravel by rail and occasionally get time todo some sightseeing at circus stops.

William Kay's Circus season for 1982 willget underway when the show opens Feb. 12thru 14 for the Ismailia Temple in Buffalo,N. Y., followed by Madison. Wise., Albanyand Syracuse, N. Y.

Press, radio and TV will be handled by As-ta Welling, in Jacksonville, Fla, She is a mem-ber of Kay's promotional staff.

KING BROS.CIRCUS

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

1 - On February 24,1959, Trustee Durward B. Mercer, acting on an or-der entered by Judge E. P. Johnston, U. S. Referee in Bankruptcy,Macon, Georgia, conveyed the title to the mark "KING BROS.Cl RCUS" and its related goodwill to Vicki Kernan King (Mrs.Floyd King).

2 • Vicki Kernan King (Mrs. Floyd King) leased to the partners, RemoCristiani, Adotfo (Tripoli) Cristiani and Freddie Canestretli, the ex-clusive right and privilege of using the title and trade name of KingBrothers Circus for the years 1959 and 1960. The tease agreementwas executed by Paul M. Conaway, Attorney-at-Law, Macon, Geor-gia. Weekly rental/royalty payments were paid directly to VickiKernan King.

3- For the years 1961 thru 1974, until her death in January 1975, VickiKernan King (Mrs. Floyd King) leased the title "King Bros. Circus"to General Circus Operating Co., Inc., Sarasota, Fla.

4 • When General Circus Operating Company began using the mark "KingBrothers Circus" in 1961, the use of the mark was solely throughthe permission of Vicki Kernan King as Lessor and General CircusOperating Company as Leasee. Payments were made to Vicki King,P. 0. Box 814, Macon, Georgia 31207 by General Circus OperatingCo., Inc., for rent/royalty on use of the mark "King Brothers Circus."

5 • Mr. Floyd King who fell heir to the mark "King Bros. Circus" afterthe death of his wife in January, 1975, was not a named party tothe 1975 consent decree by the Federal District Court in the Stateof Florida which was an action between Mr. Frank McClosky andMr. Pete Cristiani. Mr. King was not mentioned by name in thatconsent decree and his signature does not appear thereon.

6 - The heirs of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd King • Repeat - "We have not sold,teased, or given permission to anyone for use of the title "KINGBROS. CIRCUS and/or "KING BROTHERS CIRCUS".

MRS. LINDA KING PRITCHETTRoute No. 1Cochran, Georgia - 31014

Page 26 October 26, 1981

MfiK IJMTfD UOTO f WWS - MM !«IH «V[ QUIAMO U •**«

Acrowd of about 150 magic hungry peoplewere at the 'Christmas In September' Mini-Convention of the S. A.M. No. 70 at Penn-grove (Calif) the day before Labor Day. Youask where is Penngrove? Well, it's just a shortway from Petaluma which was once the eggbasket of the U. S. The Community Hall wasdecked with holly and trees and memberswere dressed as elves and other characters,and even Santa was there.

Featured were two fine lectures: those ofPatrick Martin and Patrick. Each showedmany clever things and would you believeit, they also had the tricks and notes forsale.

A too long close-up session had severalperformers including top men like ArthurMurata, Jack McMillen, Patrick, Roy Sla-ter, Tony Lewis and one other whose nameescapes me at this time, but he was doing

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different magic, mainly with safety pins. Agood routine. Less than a dozen dealers hadspace in which to hawk their wares and allreported average business.

A good help yourself meal was providedand was followed by the Big Show.

MC was chatty Jay Malbrough who threa-tened to be Mr. On Too Long because ofstage delays, but he handled it well. Featur-ed were two club presentations that produ-ced lots of laughs, a joint rendering (that'sthe correct word) of the Twelve Days ofChristmas with a magical theme and fourtambourine banging 'Salvation Army Las-sies'with a bit of fun.

Stars of the show were the class act of Pe-trick and Mia, who increases in standingeverytime I see the act. Great! This was fol-lowed by a show stopping pitch act by Ooctor Lovecraft.

Opener was Dan Quierolo, followed by acircus act, but he admitted it was more ofa side show act, as Roy Slater did fire eat-ing, concrete block busting while recliningon a bed of nails, some magic and a straitjacket escape. It was diffferent, to saytheleast.Then it was goodnight.

The Circus Report Page 27

Main OfficeBox 74

Barnesville. Pa. 18214

Phone Toll Free:1 - 800 - 824 - 7888, Fxt. A 263

Calif. 1 - 800 - 852 - 7777

CIRCUS TARANTARI (Continued)"never before" feat

Now three dazzling show horses circle thering, handled by three beautiful riders theyexecute dressage par excellence. They arefollowed by six liberty hones, circling,grouping, rinding the curbs and then final-ly the hind leg mounts • what a dazzlingdisplay!The crowd catches their breath during the

intermission.Now come the apes, a monkey, a chimp

and two gorillas. Shivering simian shenani-gans. All in the open ring monkeying aroundThen front and center, the world's onlysmoking monkey, seated on a pedestal hereceives the long handled cigarette from theringmaster and inserts it in the monkey'smouth. You'll never believe it, but the mon-key is smoking and the smoke puffs bellowforth like a Camel Broadway ad. What ashow! What a blast!

Enter the clown troupe. Buffoons, musi-cians, acrobats and around they go. See themechanical accordionist. Enjoy the FiddleJoey. Wow, at the hand-standing clowngymnast. Guffaw at the clown-driven com-edy car, actually breaking up the act!

Enter the unusual people. The Womanwhose torso is pierced by a menacing sni-ksnee. The tough one who lies on a bed ofnails only to be sat upon by two tons ofponderous pachyderm right upon his chest.Relax, folks, it's all in jest! Chandu themystic magician from the East enters withhis beautiful damozel. The lights dim, themusic is hushed. You hear the Oriental airy

harangue ushering you into legerdemaineyet not seen. You cannot believe what yousee • the maiden rises before your eyes withno visible support. Ach, you say, it's a trick.Is it when the ringmaster passes the hoopthrice round her risen body? What a showstopper!

Finally, five ponderous pachyderms circlethe center, execute turn arounds, headstands, one foot stands, lie upon the help-less maiden, and then a walking long mountround the ring.When the royal family of Holland enters

and circles the ring in majestic open car-riage drawn by two magnificent stallions,the end arrives to the wild applause of theemotion-swept crowd.

There's no circus around comparable toCircus Tarantari.

Photo identification:1 • Louise and Bert Kramer, of Abcoube,

Holland, owners and producers of CircusTarantari.2 • Clowning at 1981 CMB Internationa/

between performances of Circus Tarantariwere Dapper Dan, the Elephant, presentedby WHma Banner. Dan Bonner has revivedthe old elephant clown gag, not seen forforty years until Dapper Dan's new produc-tion.

Page 28 October 26, 1981

European Tourby 'Circus Joe' Valenciano

Ulla and Inge Valenciano had a wonderfulvacation in Europe, visiting with relativesand catching shows. They drove all over theplace with a Ford Fiesta rental car, whichwas arranged before they left.

In Germany they caught Circus Krone, Circus Berlin and Circus Atlantic, as well as thefamed Oktoberfest and the FrankfurterMees, which is like the Oktobertfest only asmaller event.

They were lucky, you could say they hada circus fan's dream, because in Bambergthey stayed at the Hotel Neukauf, whichwas right next to the Circus Krone lot. Thiscircus is presented under a solid blue tentwith four center poles cirular tent. A onering format with 18 row high seating, withback rests. The usual box seats were out infront.The program was very good. There was

one unusual animal display, which consist-ed of Mamas, camels and a hippo. My Momand Aunt had a nice time visiting with the

Enrico Caroli Family, who they knew se-veral yean ago and they last toured togeth-er on the Swiss Circus Knie.

Circus Berlin is a very nice, but small fam-ily show. The big top is set up much likethe Stebbing Circus over here. Circus Atlan-tic is also a small tenter, but a nice one.

From Germany they went to visit relativesin Czechoslovakia and while there visitedCircus Humberto. This show is fully ownedand operated by the state. It is a good me-dium sized show.

Also, my Mom and Aunt enjoyed a uniquerestaurant that revolves atop a 1,000 ft. tow-er, offering a breath-taking view of Frank-fort and Germany's beautiful countryside.

They report that near Koln, there is "Phantasialand" which is much like our Disneylandparks, but smaller.

E. P. (Tony) LYLE. of Greenwood MobileHome Park in Tampa, Fla., spent a fewdays at Sarasota's Sailor Circus where hisbrother-in-law was filming a segment for akiddie show.

The Circus Report Page 29

Elephant Testedby VELMAE. LOWRY

Remember "Lois" the elephant who is atthe Seattle Zoo, formerly of Independence,Kans? She made the news again • this timeScience Year, The World Book Science An-nual. It is interesting to see that "Lois" theRalph Mitchell Zoo elephant has been giv-en quite a spread in it and some photos too.

The article is in regard to a hearing testgiven Lois in 1980 by Rickye and HenryE. Heffner, of K. U.'s Bureau of Child Re-search and Ned Stichman, local zoo man.

Basically the researchers found that var-ious mammals hearing is regulated by thedistance between the ears.

The photo shows Lois getting set to pusha button to start a hearing test that provedelephants can hear low-frequency soundsbetter than any animal previously tested.

A scientist successfully crossed a parakeetwith a tiger. He doesn't know exactly whathe's got, but when it sings he sure listens.

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New Rules ComingThe American Humane Society is plan-

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trol officers who are on hand during film-ing of movies and TV shows to see thatproducers do not exploit or harm the ani-mals.

Once the rules and regulations are estab-lished they can be printed in the variouscircus program books, thus showing thepublic that the circus is complying withthe A.M.A. This is expected to set thepublic's mind at ease, concerning the wel-fare of circus animals.

Douglas Mac-Valley/Stuntsfeaturing

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Page 30 October 26,1981

Circus FestivalMill Bridge Village in Lancaster, Pa., was

the site of a Gay 90's Circus Festival onSept. 18-20 and Sept. 25-27. The eventwas reminiscent of the days when the Wel-sh Bros. Circus wintered in Lancaster, thetent show starred magicians Roberto & Al-exandria, who in addition to their regularperformance, recreated Houdini's mail bagescape as a midway attraction.

Barney the Clown, excentrique was fea-tured in the big top and throughout thevillage. Additional clowns kept visitors en-tertained around the grounds.

Ateo on display was Bill and Nancy Cook-er's 10,000 piece animated, miniature cir-cus, which attracted enthusiastic attention.

Other nostalgic attractions included organgrinder Pete and Pop and a circus paradewhich included all performers, horse drawnwagons, antique autos and old time mech-anical instruments. The parade stepped offtwice a day and made its way throughoutthe restored Amish village.

Show ActsMarlboro, Festival, Marlboro, Mass. • Sept.

5-7 - Center Ring Circus produced by JerryFields Promotions.Acts appearing in the show were: Marie

Hager with Bongo the chimp; Marcelli &Janis, slack wire and juggling; Cheezo theclown with a giant robot mouse; Jim Da-vis and his All American Mutts; Jimmie&Millie, iron jaw with juggling and hand bal-ancing mixed with comedy.

Other acts were: Norm Bigelow. world'sgreatest escape artist; the Amazing Fields,magic and illusions; The Hagers, acrobats;Nellie the elephant with trainer Clarkyand John Wooten, world's strongest man.Jerry Fields was the ringmaster and mu-

sic was provided by Les Smith.

On Sept. 26th, escape artist Barry Yien-gst appeared as a special added attraction.

Numerous circus fans and performers wereseen visiting the Autumn Days Festival.

Archln

Maria Spelterina's second walk over Niagara Falls, with feet in baskets

Eight people have walked acrossNiagara Falls on a tightrope, and

one of them was a woman. Little isknown about the background of Signo-rina Maria Speltcrina, who made herdebut on July 8, 1876. It was a field dayfor the press, however, who describedMaria as 23 years old, "superbly built,"and 150 pounds of female pulchritude.

Her tightrope was a 2'/4-inch. 1100-foot long rope that spanned the deadlygorge at a height of 165 feet. Crossing

steadily, she danced back over the fallsto waltz music played by a band on theriver bank.

For her second walk, on July 12, shestrapped peach baskets to her feet andmade the journey in 11 minutes. Shereturned in 10—walking-backward.

Trip number three, on July 19, wasexecuted blindfolded. For number four,on July 22. she had her ankles and wristsmanacled. She was scheduled for an-other crossing on July 26 but didn't go.

The Circus Report Page 31

Mattel Info(The following information are excerpts

from Mattel, Inc., report to Shareholdersfor the six month period ending Aug. 1,1981. To understand the full picture oneshould read the entire report}.

".. The Entertainment segment of ourbusiness, consisting of Ringling Bros, andBarnum & Bailey Combined Shows, IceFollies and Holiday on Ice, and RinglingBros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus World,continues to be adversely affected by low-er than expected attendance due, at leastin part, to the impact of a weak economyon the amount of disposable income con-sumers appear-to be spending for entertain-menV away from home. It is unlikely thatEntertainment segment results will recover.ii the second half of the current fiscal yearto levels comparable to the prior year."".. Revenues of the Entertainment seg-

ment were 15% below fiscal 1981 due pri-marily to lower attendance levels at thetraveling circuses (20%) and Circus World(20%) and the absence of revenues from

the Monte Carlo one-ring circus which wasdiscontinued at the end of its foreign tourin fiscal 1981. Reduced attendance at thecircuses was attributable to ticket price in-creases and a weak economy. The CircusWorld attendance decline was largely attri-butable to a general decline in Floridatourism."" .. The Entertainment segment's decrease

of $2,850,000 was due principally to thecombination of lower attendance levels andthe absence of the Monte Carlo Circus."".. Lower attendance levels at the Enter-

tainment segment attractions - a significantportion of expenses are fixed and cannotbe reduced as attendance declines."

".. The Entertainment segment's loweroperating profit was caused principally bythe combination of lower attendance levels,the absence of the Monte Carlo Circus andthe fairly fixed nature of many operatingexpenses."