America's Favorite Circus Weakly Volume 1 December 18, 1972 Number 50 holiday show Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clausl Thousands of children and adults will attest to that fact for they saw him with Rudy Bros. Circus last week. This year Rudy Jacobi put together an exciting program of acts for his an- nual Christmas-time tour on the west coast. The show toured for about two weeks and played to what was described as "generally good business every day." The program as seen in Rich- mond, Calif. (Dec. 9-10) at the end of the tour, featured! The Belltenes - bell ringers The Holder's Tropical Birds Wiley Keo - trampoline Ray Grant & Co. - magic ffliss Estelle - aerial web The Rudenko Bros. - Juggling Senor Ramos - single trapeze Henry 1 * Chimps Ray Grant - puppets The Saxons - unicycles Heir Hang - Miss Tai Wing Santa Claus - dingo When asked about the 1972 summer tour of his show, Mr. Jacobi said "the tour was essentially a good one, that was marred only by the blowdown in Chi- cago." For the upcoming 1973 season, Mr. Jacobi reports "there will be some nice surprises in the way of a program that should appeal to everyone* It looks like we are going to have a really long sea- son." Farewell Officials at the Clackamas High School in dilwaukie, Oregon, report their Youth Circus has been completely discon- tinued. The snow, which operated along the Pacific Coast during t.ie summer month time of June to September, for many years was directed by Dave Williams, a teacher at the school. ffliss Ann Perry, one of the teachers who worked closely with the circus pro- ject, told The Circus Report just last week that "there is no more Clackamae Youth Circus." About a year ago it was announced that the Youth Circus would probably be dropped in favor of other activities. One of those proposed was summer canoe trips for boys and their fathers on the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. The loss of trie Clackamas Youth Cir- cus leaves only the Wenatchee Youth Cir- cus still operating on the ^acific coast. This show has been traveling extensively throughout the summer months for many years* under the direction of Paul Pugh. Incidentally, his son, David, has been featured on the John Strong Circus for the past two years. Three other Youth circuses are still operating. One is in Peru, Indiana, while the other two are in Florida. HISTORICAL FACT The Lament Bros. Circus baseball teem of 1913 didn't lose a game all season. Their mascot was a white French poodle.
Transcript
America's Favorite Circus Weakly
Volume 1 December 18, 1972 Number 50
holiday showYes, Virginia, there is a Santa
Clausl Thousands of children and adultswill attest to that fact for they sawhim with Rudy Bros. Circus last week.
This year Rudy Jacobi put togetheran exciting program of acts for his an-nual Christmas-time tour on the westcoast. The show toured for about twoweeks and played to what was describedas "generally good business every day."
The program as seen in Rich-mond, Calif. (Dec. 9-10) at theend of the tour, featured!
The Belltenes - bell ringersThe Holder's Tropical BirdsWiley Keo - trampolineRay Grant & Co. - magicffliss Estelle - aerial webThe Rudenko Bros. - JugglingSenor Ramos - single trapezeHenry1* ChimpsRay Grant - puppetsThe Saxons - unicyclesHeir Hang - Miss Tai WingSanta Claus - dingo
When asked about the 1972 summertour of his show, Mr. Jacobi said "thetour was essentially a good one, thatwas marred only by the blowdown in Chi-cago."
For the upcoming 1973 season, Mr.Jacobi reports "there will be some nicesurprises in the way of a program thatshould appeal to everyone* It looks likewe are going to have a really long sea-son."
FarewellOfficials at the Clackamas High
School in dilwaukie, Oregon, report theirYouth Circus has been completely discon-tinued. The snow, which operated alongthe Pacific Coast during t.ie summer monthtime of June to September, for many yearswas directed by Dave Williams, a teacherat the school.
ffliss Ann Perry, one of the teacherswho worked closely with the circus pro-ject, told The Circus Report just lastweek that "there is no more ClackamaeYouth Circus."
About a year ago it was announcedthat the Youth Circus would probably bedropped in favor of other activities. Oneof those proposed was summer canoe tripsfor boys and their fathers on the riversof the Pacific Northwest.
The loss of trie Clackamas Youth Cir-cus leaves only the Wenatchee Youth Cir-cus still operating on the ^acific coast.This show has been traveling extensivelythroughout the summer months for manyyears* under the direction of Paul Pugh.Incidentally, his son, David, has beenfeatured on the John Strong Circus forthe past two years.
Three other Youth circuses are stilloperating. One is in Peru, Indiana, whilethe other two are in Florida.
of 1913 didn't lose a game all season.Their mascot was a white French poodle.
Page 2 December 18, 1972
CHRISTMAS partyObservers report that an overflow
crowd filled the Cow Palace, in San Fran-cisco, Calif, for the 2nd annual Lock-heed Christmas Circus Party on Dec. 10th.This year's show was again presented byLoni,Ironberg (Key Bros, Circus) but on-
ly one performance was given— at 1t30 p.m.
Aerial numbers on the showwere arranged by Bob Yerkee,with outside animal act* beingprovided by the Kaye elephantsand Ed Steeples.
Music for the circus presen-tation was presented by a fullband, while e rock band appear*
ed es a special feature, and a secondrock bend provided music in the lobby.
The program consisted oft
Dogs and PoniesAerial webeKen Wiler - balanceAlfie, the elephantTumblingChimpsClownsTrampolineBearsHigh DiveKen Wiler - jugglingLoni's horseLoop-the-loopPoniesClownsIndiansLoni - trick ropingClownsKays's elephantsClownsThe Flying ArtonsSanta Cleus - finale
THE CIRCUS REPORT is publish.ed each week by Don Warcks,525 Oak Street. El Cerrito,Calif. - 94530
Subscription costst $1.00 amonth or Just $10.00 for thefull year - that's for 52big issues.
macon dateThe Mncon, Gu., Shrine Circus held
on Now. 24-26 was produced by Eddie Zac-cnini. Attendance, s«ys a correspondentfrom the Deep South, was good not not asmany people as one miqht expect from aShrine promotion.
act and leepsFaye Alexander - funny car - flying actThe Antonetts - teeterboard-jugglingJohnny Jordan - sponge diveGino Bogino & Co, - risley - jugglingKirby's and Rucker's chimp actsThe Ruckers - Carden-Johnson elephantsPatterson & Co. - TrHmpoline and ladderGeo, Haneford, Jr. - perch - Riding actHugo Zacchini - cannon art.
Clowns on the show were Eddie Dul-lum and Bert Deniels.
GREAT NEW ACTThere aren't too many "first time ewer" acts
being presented in the circus these days, but the bigattraction of Circus Knie, in Switzerland, surelymust be one of them. T.iat is Fredy Knie, Jr. *s pres-entation of the tiger riding a rhlnocerus. Certainlyit is proving to be one of the greatest animal sensa-tions of all time,
Fredy Knie, of course, is well known for histraining of horses. He is Just 26, end earlier thisyear married Wary Jose Galland, a policeman's daugh-ter, in a traditional circus wedding. The ceremonytook place in the circus ring at Lucerne, before egroup of some 5,000 people. A guard of honor, consis-ting of the clowns and circus staff attended thecouple during the ceremony*
Featured with Circus Knie forseason 1972 are as follows: Theyoung Knie brothers, Fredy, Rolf,Louis and Franco in a high-schoolact with elephants and horses; TheGreat Coray, equilibrist; FrancoKnie presenting camels and exotics;clowns Little Toddy and Little Terry:the Walgardi Brothers, catapultingteeterboard act; clowns, the TwoSteft; Rolf Knie with the libertyhorse act; the Three Dymeks, handand pole-vaulting act; the Dymeksecond act is Italina Wrzesinska, webrope; Louis Knie presents a herd ofseven Asian elephants and twoAfrican elephants; Klants' PolarRears presented by Barbara and
Eugen Poludnink (the Dutch anim.il-dcaling linn of Klanls i.< famous forits ice br; i is and other animals usedin circus and film work): TroupeHodrtguez of Mexico (flvc people)
"perform daring stunts on a sol ofliori/ontal bars high under the roof<;f the Big Top: The New Woltys.superb trick cyclists, one man am'.three girls, direct from the LondonPalladium and Kelvin Hall Circusin Glasgow; Willy Lonz's Chimpan-zees: Chy Bao Guy, traditional Chin-ese tumbling and acrobat act; FredyKnie with a mixed horse act, andnot forgetting the tiger and rhin-ocerus.
Daeember 18, 1972 Page 3
YEARS AGOPittsfield, Mass. - May 31-Jun 1 «20
The Joseph G. Ferari Shows arrivedfrom a "<ew York stand on Sunday at 10p.m. in one train of 15 cars. The trainincludes ten flat cars, three box cars,two coaches, 26 wagons and two engines.
They have three rides - Ferris Wheel,Merry-go-round, The Whip, plus eightshows - Silo Drome, Springtime, Circus,Dixieland, Athletic Show, Arabian Nights,Noma Show, Side show, plus 21 concessions
Four shows have wagon fronts that fittogether to f.ake a good showing. Theseare the Springtime, Circus, Dixielandand Athletic shows.
Everything is painted yellow.
The show was all set up for Monday'sopening and good crowds were around allweek, except on Saturday when it rainedand the show closed early.
They left here An Sunday morning at11t3Q a.m. for North Adams.
Pittsfield, Mass. - June 13, 1920
The Ringling Bros. Batnum & BaileyCircus went through here today on theirway from Syracuse to Boston.
The first section went through atnoon and had three horse cars, 16 flatcars, three sleepers, 50 wagons, one carwith 20 cages.
Section two went through at 4 p.m.with 22 flat cars and 64 wagons, fourautos and two chariots.
Section three went through at 6 p.m.with 11 horse cars, four flat cars, 7sleepers and 9 wagons.
The fourth section went through at7:15 p.m. with seven horse cars, sixstock cars and twelve sleepers.
Wagons and sleepers ere all red, theother cars are yellow and red.
The Advance car is here and all of5.ts members were out to wave as the showtrains went by. This car is painted yel-low with drab green.
Q 9feot showby Hurry L. Kingston
Tnis reporter was able to catch theClark & Walters Circus at Lumberton, Tex-as on Dec. 1 and Montgomery on Dec, 2nd,on their way into winterquerters. It wasa surprise to see a show in Texas so latein the season, and I understand they arewintering at Alamo, Texas.
The Silverlakes have really put to-getner a good s,"iow and it reminds thisreporter of what I have read the GentryBros. Circus was like. They use dogs andmonkies, with horses and the 6|ephant"Anna Marie" from the Circus Williams isworked by one of the Silver-lake brothers.
Music was provided by a genuine airCalliope. As far as I know this is theonly show in the country t.iat still usesa calliope. It brought back some memor-ies, that's for sure.
The big top looks good even though ithas been used for four years. However,the round ends are starting to snow use.
The midway featured a snake show andin the menagerie were a bear, 2 elephantsa chimp and several monknys.
The show did real we^l in Montgomeryand local folks said it was the biggestevent since the fire.
California SHOWSCircuses playing in the San Francis-
co, Calif, area during the past yearincludedi
George Matthews CircusMiller Johnson CircusKay Bros. CircusClownaroundJohn Strong CircusPolack Bros. CircusRudy Bros. CircusGatti-Charles CircusHappytime CircusEuroporamaMajor Chumleigh's CircusRingling Bros. Barnuw A Bailey ShowsDe Wayne Bros. CircusThe PAL Circus
Page 4 Becember 18, 1972
Santa makes Christmasby NORMAN WILBERT
Santa Claus and 21 industrious elvesmade their annual pilgrimage to Kohler . •Village (Kohler, Wise.) on Dec. 9th to en-tertain the children of employees of theKohler Co* The company sponsored the an-nual Christmas Party held at beautifulKohler Memorial Theatre.
dore than 5,000 children endparents attended the four per for*mances presented this year. Afterthe show each child received aChristmas stocking filled withYule-tide candy, fruit and toys,as they left the theatre. Santasat in the lobby to listen at*
tentively to the children and wishedeach of them a "Merry Christmas."
- - - THE SHOW
To get the show started Santa wasescorted to his throne and Wei's band ofmusical clowns led the audience in thesinging of several Christmas favorites.
The circus program consisted offive acts, all booked by Kiel HummitzschTheatrical Agency, Inc. of Sheboygen, Mis,IA addition "lei and his clever clown bandpresented a short concert before each per*formance and del served as ringmaster andannouncer. His timely comments kept theshow moving rapidly and smoothly*
The program included!The Frauensteins - German Jugglers.The Olmedas - Cycling Acrobats (4)Lacy's California SealsAnden's Poodle RevueFaye & Bry - Pantomine Comedy
Happy Joe (Cuisippe Dominic FerreriXand his partner Bry (Ben Hogan) providedan unusual pantomine routine. Accordingto Guisippe, their act is in style againtoday, and their antics were well receiv-ed. He is a well known trouper from theold-time burlesque days and stage shows*and has performed throughout the U. S.The number was a delightful and welcomereturn of entertainment that had been dis-continued for several decades. The act wasapoaaling the kiddies and is scheduled toappear on several Shrine shews next year.
HISTORICAL FACTAerial bar performers with the Hagen-
beck-Wallace Circus of 1908 includediGeorge Smith, Pearl Wilson, Clarence
Stokes, Walter Guice, Abe and Pete Adair,Bert Delno end Fred Pirard*
Lacy's talented California sealswere billed as a group of noisy and fro-licing seals and they were exactly that*Lacy Toth and his capable wife, Lucia,h -VB been presenting the seals for fiveyears, dr. Lacy, who has been in showbusiness for 43 years, was born in Hun-gary. He has appeared on the Hamid dortonand Hubert Castle Circus, as well as withRudy Bros, and the Bewitched TV show*
Anden's Poodles showed exceptionalskill and the capering canine* cleverlyexemplified their expertise everytimethey appeared on stage. Without exagger-ation it was a fine dog act*
The Olmedas Troupe of cycling acro-bats have an exciting and pleasing act.In addition to being masters of the cylesthey are impressive Jugglers. Their actis a superior team effort by Antonio*Jose, Enrique and Irmhild Olmeda, wife ofEnrique. Her husband was with RinglingBros, in 1958, and the present troupe wasorganized in 1968. They'll be with thePolack Bros. Circus in 1973*
Heinz Frauenstein and his wife, Mar-garet, presented an amazing taeterboerdnumber. Their Juggling is also noteworth)The daring Heinz thrilled the crowd withhis teeterboard and knife act, wherebythe knife is thrown into the air andlands in a cushion on his heed* He wasborn in Dresden, Germany and at one timewaa with the Moscow State Circus. Hecame to this country in 1961, and hasappeared with many shows end circuses inthe ensuing years.
It was certainly a pleasant day ofentertainment for children and parents,an unusual Christmas gift sponsored bythe Kohler Co. This firm waa founded in1873 and employs over 5,000 persons. Itwas my good fortuna to work in the com-pany's Sales uept. (their plumbing pro-ducts are sold ell over the world.) Atthe present time they are making plansfor an elaborate 100th anniversary cele-bration next year.
December 18, 1972 Page 5
PEOPLEMONTIE MONTANA was recently a guest
on the TV show "To Tell the Truth."
ANDREW EGGERS is looking for photosof athletic circus woman. You can writehim att 2961 Ridge Road, Manlius, N. Y.
PICASO is currently appearing with theTV Circus in England. H« plans to be thereover the holidays.
JAY BEARDSLEY reports he was able tovisit several circuses in Wisconsin dur-ing the past summer season.
FRANK and 8ERNICE DEAN, whip artists,are in Mexico for the winter season.
KAY ALLEN was hospitalized lest wsakwith a ruptured tumor, while CARMEN HENRYwas hospitalized after a mis-carriage.
ED MOTTA visited the Ringling-BarnumBlue Unit at Springfield, Bass, on Dec.2nd and 3rd*
SEITZ and MENDEZ, wira act, are nowplaying winter dates and reportedly willnot be back with the RBBB show in 1973.
GERALDO, the Clown, plans to tourwith Rudy Bros* Circus in 1973.
LAURENCE CROSS, clown, slipped andfell last week, and broke his wrist. Heis remaining at home in Pittsburg, Calif*
THE GAONA FLYING ACT is currently ap-pearing with the Circus Festival at Mad-rid, Spain.
Dr. GEORGE BOYD reports the PacificCoast Showman's Assoc. held their annualmemorial Services at the Evergreen Ceme-tery (Los Angelas, Calif*) on Dec. 3rd.
EMMETT KELLY, Jr., received a specialfeature write-up with fivs photos in theDec* 2nd issue of What's Happening paperin Georgia*
BOB ENRICO, clown, has ra<portedly signed to appear forseveral holiday shows duringthe month*
MOTESSome 100,522 'people attended the
Grand "ationals at San Francisco, Calif,on Oct. 27-Nov. 5. They paid $301,609 toaee the annual show.
Tanya, the elephant (owned by JendaSmaha) recently won an "Entertainer ofthe Year* award in the field of live en-tertainment*
Both the Clark & Walters and FischerBros. Circuses are planning to open earlyin March for the 1973 season.
Officials recently found a cache ofdope in the floor of two cages in whichbears were shipped to San Francisco fro*Nepal*
The Zacchini X-15 Double Cannon hasbeen presented to the Ringling Museum ofthe Circus.
Contrary to earlier reports the Po-lice Dept. at Pittsburgh, Pa* reportsthey are not sponsoring any circus thisyear.
The Ringling-Barnum show will be atSt. Petersburg, Fla. sarly in January forthe annual TV filming of the circus.
THRILLS ON WHEELS, roller skaters,have worked two benefit shows in the SanFrancisco (Calif*) arsa this month.
DON OIARCKS, was IDC for three Christ-mas Shows in his home area this past week.He also does comedy magic routines.
RAY NEWSOPHE reportedly has bean work-ing as Santa Glaus for Christmas partiesin the Oakland, Calif* arsa.
JIM DANDY, unicyclist, is keepingbusy performing over the current Holidayseason.
BERT HANSEN, novslty act,is working Holiday dates da-spite a bad cold and adverseweathar in th3 area.
Thames Crossed by Tteht RopeGerman building instructor, Franz
Burbach (31). walked across theRiver Thames on an 800 foot longtight rope. 5S foot above the water,near Southwark Bridge in London.The event took place on August 23.
Herr Burbach, using a 32 foot bal-ancing pole, completed the walkfrom the south bank in 13 minutes.During a similar attempt last year,he fell into the river halfway across.He is now looking for a sponsor for
his plan to break the 3.790-yard-longtightrope walk record across tneRhine in Germany, set by a French-man in 1969.
• * *With Karl Wallcnda's "walk in the
sun" across the Tallulah Gorge inGorgia, and nude trapezist AngelaRcvcll's trapeze stunt from an aero-plane in Sydney recently, and nowFranz Burbach, it seems as thoughthe dare-devil aerial stunts, sofamous during the twenties, arecoming back into- vogue.
Page 6 December 18, 1972
ROUTESBelle Vue Circus
Dec* 20 Manchester, England(Opening date)
Bugs Bunny ShowDec. 18 Melbourne, Australia
Shenyang Acrobat Troupe of ClanchurieDec. 18-24 Chicago, Illinois
John Strong CircusDec. 18 Oakland, Calif.
19 San Jose- - End of the Season - -
fascinating actsHad to be in Las Vegas for a couple
days last week, writes M. Simic, and as aresult saw some nice acts.
Novelty a be seen working at the LasVegas hotels were ITroplcana Hotel • . •
Cus Augspurg - monkeysDunes Hotel
The Stupida Troupe - acrobatsRico - illusions
Stardust Hotel ...Rudy Cardenas - jugglerThe Volantes - unicyclesRobbi La Londe - ice skaterDominique - pick pocketSelgfried & Roy - magic
Circus Circus Casino . . •Anne's Poodles (Hiss Astrid
RONMTASSENSATIONAL HIGH WHEEL ACT
Booked from Mid-April to Late-Oct. withCatti Charles Circus
Available for sport show dates duringthe Minter season*
U, S. Addrassi Box 461, Rising Sun, Hid.
We need your subscription to getThe Circus Report underway foranother year. Won't you pleasesend that subscription now andhelp us to get rolling again?
Write tot Don Warcks, 525 Oak St.El Cerrito, Calif.
Remember - it costs only 110.00 • year.
To those who have renewed their subscrip-tions for the coming year we'd like tosay "Thanks" your support is very muchappreciated.
The CanestrellisFlying FarfansLos LatinosYoung Bros.
