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America's Favorite Circus Weekly Volume 2 Way 21, 1973 Number 20 the big dive Just last month, Bob Yerkes was ask- ed to test an air bag for the Fire J ept. et New Orleans, La. They have developed an air bag, into which people could jump from burning buildings and aa a result their lives would be saved* Assisting Bob in the test were Oar Robinson and Marilyn Beer, both of whom are performers working for the Yerkes Productions* Bob and Der wade one Jump as a team, from a height of 40 feet. They landed safely and the air bag was called a success. This wes followed by two record setting dives. The first was made from e height of 106 feet (10 floors), made by Oar Robinson. This was followed a 60 ft. dive made by Mari- lyn, a new record for a woman diver* A four week advance promotion at Prescott, Ariz., worked by Dan Gabert, was a successful e »nt for the John Strong Circus in that city. The show came in for two performances on May 3rd and drew big crowds. The after* noon crowd filled the tent, while for the night show people were seated down to the ring curbs, with others standing in the doorway. Special advance promotional features were also planned for the show's date at Phoenix. This also helped to boost the gate attendance. duo honors LOU JACOBS, the internationally fa- moua clown, was honored May 16th at Madi- son Square Garden by a double celebration* It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on Earth". The veteran clown was feted by circus manegsment and the entire ahow cast at a party in Clown Alley, backstage in the big Madison Square Garden. The beloved laugh-maker, generally considered one of the greatest working clows today, began his show career in Germany as an acrobat, then switched to clowning* He came to the U. 5. in the early 1920's as a performer in Vaudeville, and joined Rinqling-Barnum in 1923. Jacob'3 colorful face has appeared on Ringling-Barnum lithos for many years, aa well as other types of advertisements and the circus program book* Known as a "producing clown", he has invented hundreds of props, gadgets and mechanical devices to assist him in his merry-eiaking* He is especially famous for his tiny car and motorized bathtub acts* SOME ACTS Included on the Uallenda Show at Mi- ami's Tropical Park (Fie.) early this year weres Karl Ulallenda - wide walk Lucio Cristiani - uncaged leopards Albert Rix's bears Carla Mallenda - slide for life

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Page 1: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

America's Favorite Circus Weekly

Volume 2 Way 21, 1973 Number 20

the big diveJust last month, Bob Yerkes was ask-

ed to test an air bag for the Fire Jept.et New Orleans, La. They have developedan air bag, into which people could jumpfrom burning buildings and aa a resulttheir lives would be saved*

Assisting Bob in the test were OarRobinson and Marilyn Beer, bothof whom are performers workingfor the Yerkes Productions*

Bob and Der wade one Jump as ateam, from a height of 40 feet.They landed safely and the airbag was called a success.

This wes followed by two recordsetting dives. The first wasmade from e height of 106 feet

(10 floors), made by Oar Robinson. Thiswas followed a 60 ft. dive made by Mari-lyn, a new record for a woman diver*

A four week advance promotion atPrescott, Ariz., worked by Dan Gabert,was a successful e »nt for the John StrongCircus in that city.

The show came in for two performanceson May 3rd and drew big crowds. The after*noon crowd filled the tent, while for thenight show people were seated down to thering curbs, with others standing in thedoorway.

Special advance promotional featureswere also planned for the show's date atPhoenix. This also helped to boost thegate attendance.

duo honorsLOU JACOBS, the internationally fa-

moua clown, was honored May 16th at Madi-son Square Garden by a double celebration*It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr.

of clowning with "The GreatestShow on Earth". The veteran clownwas feted by circus manegsment andthe entire ahow cast at a party inClown Alley, backstage in the big

Madison Square Garden.

The beloved laugh-maker, generallyconsidered one of the greatest workingclows today, began his show career inGermany as an acrobat, then switched toclowning* He came to the U. 5. in theearly 1920's as a performer in Vaudeville,and joined Rinqling-Barnum in 1923.

Jacob'3 colorful face has appeared onRingling-Barnum lithos for many years, aawell as other types of advertisements andthe circus program book*

Known as a "producing clown", he hasinvented hundreds of props, gadgets andmechanical devices to assist him in hismerry-eiaking* He is especially famous forhis tiny car and motorized bathtub acts*

SOME ACTSIncluded on the Uallenda Show at Mi-

ami's Tropical Park (Fie.) early thisyear weres

Karl Ulallenda - wide walkLucio Cristiani - uncaged leopardsAlbert Rix's bearsCarla Mallenda - slide for life

Page 2: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

Pag* 2

The ShOWAn interesting and varied program is

beinq presented by the Garden Bros. Circutfor its 1973 tour of Canadian cities endTowns.

The program features:

Opening Spec - The Circus on ParadePrincess Eli - wild animalsJimmy Troy - comedy king of the airThe Keppoe and The Robertsons - acrobat*Zoppe's Riding K-9*sDiego - the high stiltsPale - aerial gymnast-The Young Troupe - teeterboardThe Riding KristensensWorrel Duo, Sulo Sisters and The Four

Jandors - balancersAlberto's Riding SchoolThe Comancharos - aerial featureRerao Cristiani - elephantsPrince Najvez - aerial cloud suing

Staff for the circus includes!Ian n. Garden - producer and directorB. Elliot Abells - Business managerJemes M. Cole - show managerBrenda Boothe - contracting agentL. J. Cordon - promotional directorRon Morris - concession managerBilly Barton - Performance directorLeo Maecitto - musical directorFrank Dai ley - SuperintendentRemo Cristiani - Animal superintendentFrancoise Jules - wardrobe mistressRay Taylor - Boss riggerSebastian of Toronto - wardrobe designer

New RecordsBusiness for the Royal International

Circus haa been good since its opening atSanta Barbara, Calif, on day 4th. Attend-ance at both matinee and night shows havebeen above that of last year.

The show is currently playing in theSouthwest area.

THE CIRCUS REPORT is published every weekby t Don Warcks, 525 Oak Street, El Cer- 'rito, Calif. - 94530

Subscription rates ares 11.00 for eachmonth; $5.00 for six months| |10«OQ for afull year. For Air nail service add anextra J2.00.

by DAVID E* REID

Way 21, 1973

This year'spresentationby the Gatti-Charles Circusis the strong-est show theyhave ever had.

The show played Eugene, Ore. Apr. 30where they were handicapped by the lowceiling of the Horse Arena. At Salem, onMay 2nd, they played in front of the fairgrounds grandetand, and thus were set upa long ways from the seats.

Clement Tosca is the show's band air-ector and does a good job. They havethree pieces — organ, drums* trumpet.

The program includes!

Clown Come-in - Eddie Dullum, the pro*ducing clown.Circus musical overatureSpec - "Cinderella" featuring little

Catherine Hanneford as Cinderella.Kay Hanneford and Frank Mogyorosi - two

rings of dog actsEddie Dullum as the Beauty QueenPrincess Morningstar - Dianna - rides a

horse into the ring, then does an upsidedown walk, followed by a single trap act.

The Gaonas - risley end casting (thisact worked only their rislay number atboth dates - casting was presented atEugene.)

The Clown FirehouseKen Wilier - balancing number, ends by

doing a one finger standLemke's chimps - e good actThe Hanneford Riding Troupe 5 people

with Catherine HannefordThe Flying Gaonas - Wasn't able to work

at Eugene because of the low ceiling.Mogyorosi - with 2 male lions (animals

are well trained and there*8 nica comedyin this number*)Ken and Betty Wilier - juggling. A nice

trampoline worked at the same time.Lemke's almost human gorillaRonritas - aerial cradle - worked at

Eugene onlyRonrites - epace wheel - worked only at

Sale*.The Clowns - Long shirt gagThe Franciacos . teeterboard act (7)George Hanneford - troupe of baby ele-

phants (they have six and used four* Didnot work at Salem because of the cold)

Page 3: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

Way 21, 1973

TWO FOR ONEWith an open date on Sunday, April 29,

the Fisher Bros. Circus laid over on thelot that Carson & Barnes were playing inBorger, Texas. As a result the localtownafolks got to see two shows on thesame lot* and show people were able tovisit with each other*

The Carson & Barnes Circus drew a fullhouse and a half house that day* Visitorsreport the C&B show has a good perform—nnce and a very fine band*

Business for Fisher Bros. Circus play-ing small towns in Western Texas, hasbeen good* However, they have run into asteady seige of strong winds, and twicehave noved into local buildings to avoidthe winds*

Vl

This year's edition

> • _l i, \ , of the De Wayne Bros.1 AjJ-vl̂ amLt Circus, is well dree-

sod end presented*says David Reid. Theshow has three brandnew trucks, and thetop is in good shapeHowever, they werehaving light rouble

and the generator'a starter kept blowing.

The show came into Lebanon, Oregon, tcgive two performances on April 7th. Theywere sponsored by the JC's, with no pub-licity end no phone room operation. As aresult business wasn't too good*

Col. Harry Jenkins is organist andpart-time announcer for the program. Actsseen here includei

Clowns - Nolly and Polly TateTrampoline - 3 peopleSwinging ladder - single girlTate's dogsClown painters on revolving ladderThe Tates - balancing an eggFour pony drillTrapeze - headstandGemini - high school horseJuggling and unsupported ladderSingle aerial webChimp actLady balancer - does one finger standBimbo, Jr. elephantJargo - gorilla parody

Page 3

Again this year the Rudy BrosCircus has embarkea on an extensivetour that will take it fron coast- i

to-coest. A long season is scheduled thatwill keep the show out until late in theyear*

The show opened at San Diego, Calif(May 4-5), then moved up into the North-ern California area for several datea.They'll go back to the Southern part ofthe state before making their annual bigJump into the Cast.

This year's program has been en-larged and will be further enlarged forthe eastern tour. Ins show is well desi-gned and presented.

The 1973 program, on the west coas^featured!

Spec - The Circus on ParadeMiss Joanne - dogs and poniesClowns - The high jumpLeonardo - jugglingCristiani Bros. - trampolineEsther Aguilar - tight wireClowns - ogg balancingThe Wedinas - revolving ladderThe Pinsons - aerial cradleRay Grant & Co. - illusionsClowns - anti-punctureThe Fdwardos - unicyclesGilda's uncaged leopardsTony Fossett - bounding ropeClowns - The balloon gagVan Oonwan's seaalThe Judy Jacobs elephants (3)downs - Passe Passe bottlesKarl Linares' poodlesMiss Irene - gorilla parodyMiss Cecelia - hair hangRodgars Tropical FantasyThe Riding CristianisThe Swaying Stars - sway poles

The Show officials include IBob Golden - announcer/ring masterChuck Burnes - assistant managerDon Ray - musical directorCliff Henry - electrical supt.

Clowns on the show includai Connieand Dime Wilson, Caraldo, Dave Harring-ton, Frosty Brittingham and Will Hutch-ins*

Page 4: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

May 21, 1973

PERSONNELD. 'JJ. WASHBURN (Sparky, the Clown) was

working advance at Phoenix and Tucson forthe John Strong Circus.

SHIRLEY MILLER and her daughters havebeen visiting husband KEN MILLER on theRoyal International Circus,

HAPPY KELLEMS is working on a clownmuseum for a deal at Santa Glaus, Ind.

THE Fl YING VALENTINES will be at theCentral Ontario Exposition at Kitchener onAug. 28-Sept. 3*

NOLLY and POLLY T4TE reportedly hnvesev/eral upcoming fair dates. They are cur-rently on the Oe Wayne Bros. Circus

MINGO, former clown, is toruing withthe Rudy Bros, Circus as a guest of Mr. andMrs. Jacob!*

ALBERT LUCAS, juggler, was • guest onthe Mike Douglas Show on May 11th.

DAVE HARRINGTON, clown, escaped Injurywhen his car was damaged in an accident ashe was enrouts from San Diego to Richmond,Calif, this month*

BETTY BURGESS, President of the JugglenAssoc. made a guost appearance on the TVShow "To Tell The Truth" last week.

LUCIO CRISTIANI's favorite barebackhorse died early this month in San Di*go,Ca

PRINCE BOGINO was clawed by a lion dur-ing the opening night show of Hoxie Bros.Circus at the start of the season.

MIHALY MEZAROS, RBBB'8 midget, receivesa steady stream of Jibes because of hissmall height.

STAN KRAMIEN, magician, recently com-pleted an extensive tour in theNorthwest area*

Page 4

YEARS AGO(from St. Louis, Mo. Globe Democrat forApril 12, 1898).

A circus parade in downtown St. Louisresulted in "near disaster" when eighthorses drawing a band wagon took frightat the clanging streetcar gongs, boltedand collided with a crowded streetcar.Allthe musicians and several persons on thecar were injured.

GOOD SHOWyear's presentation of the

Great Y Circus (May 11-12 and 18-19) atHedlands, uelif., was that city's 35thannual YMCA circus. The program, presen-ted at the YMCA, features local youths in

a wide variety of circus-type acts,and drew good crowds for each show.

The entire production is direct-ed by Warren C. Wood, who alae helpin the training of the youngsters.He is assisted by several local gym

coaches, all of whom donate thair time.Music for the show is provided by PhyllisFoster at the organ.

The program featured!

Grand Spec - The entire cempanyGymnastics - tumblingAerial cradle number*The ClownsRevolving trapezeTightwireThe Flying Y'sRoly 8»lyGymnastics - bat*Balancing perchUnicyclesHanging ParchSide-by-Side (special number)The Royal*Rolling GlobesSingle Trapeze nowhereTrampolineThe ClownsGymnastics - vaultingFire EatingAerial web*Teeterboard

the bull lineElephants featured on the Miller-

Johnson Circus arei

Bobby Gibba* elephantsi Lydia, Maria andShirley

Oscar Cristiani's elephantst Babe, Carrie,Emma, and Shirley

Miller-Johnaon elephants, with Wally Rosstrainert Colonel, Judy, Lottia, Minnie

and Shirley

Page 5: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

May 21, 1973 Page 5

UTESCarson & Barnes Circus

Clay 23 Sedalia, Mo*Hubert Castle Circus

May 21-26 Edmonton, AlbtaCircus Kirk

20 Hunterstown. Pa21 Littlestown22 Emwitsburq23 Greencastla24 Hancock, Md.?5 KlcCoole26 Off27 Columbia

Clyde Bros. - Red UnitMay 21 Kingston, Ont.

23-27 MontrealDe Wayne Bros. Circus

May 21 Bothell, Wash.23 Mt. Vernon27 El Innsburg

Gatti-Charles CircusMay 23 Bellinghem,Ush

Fisher Bros. CircusMay 20 McLean, Texas

21 Wellington22 Hollis, Okla.23 Hobart24 Snyder25 Cache26 Tipton

Hamid-Morton CircusMay 24-27 Greensboro,NC

Hanneford CircusMay 22 Guelph, Ont*

Happytime CircusMay 22 Albany, Calif.

23-26 Vacaville27-26 San Rafael

Hoxie Bros. CircusMay 21 Lapeer, Mich.

22 Owosso23 East Lansing24 Battle Creek25 Portage26 Dowagiac27 Laporte

Miller-Johnson CircusMay 21 Crenley, Colo*

22 Pueblo23 Colorado Sprnga24 Hayes, Kans.

Polack Bros. CircusMay 26-27 Long Beach,Cal.

Ringling's Blue Unitthru May 28 Boston.Mass*

Ringling's *ed Unitthru May 2B New York. NY

Royson Bros, CircusMay 21 Mauldin, S. C.

22 Pacelot24 Wellford25 Mill Springs26 Laundrum

Rudy Bros. CircusMay 25-26 San Jose, Celif.

Sells & Cray CircusMay 21 Colonial Hghts,Va

22 South Hill23 Oxford, N.C.24 Roxboro25 Danville26 Mayodan27 Mt. Airy

John Strong CircusMay 21-22 San Wateo, Calif.

23-25 Pleasanton26 Santa Rosa27 Ukiah

Voorheis Bros. CircusMay 21 Fremont, Ohio

22 Bowling Green24 Seginaw, Mich*

Yerkes Continental CircusPlay 27 Fairfield, Calif.

CARNIVALS

Buck Page ShowsMay 21-26 Emporia, Va*

Capital City ShowsMay 21-26 Dayton, Tenn.

Lawrence Carr ShowaMay 22-28 Gloucester. Mesa*

James H. Drew ShowsMay 21-26 So. Charleston.WVe

Little Richard's ExpositionMay 22-Jun 2 Levittown, Pa.

Midway of Mirth ShowsMay 22-27 Winchester* 111.

Rose City RidesMay 21*26 Bonne Terre, Mo.

FAIRS

Silver Dollar FairMay 23-28 Chicao, Calif.

Chowchilla Jr. FairMay 24-27 Chowchilla, Cal.

NOTESCarson it Barnes played at

Ottawa,Kans. on May 17, TopekaMay 16 and Atchinson May 19th.

Holiday on Ice drew 12,523people for its six shows at'"neon, Ca. on Apr* 11-15

Rumor has it that MillerJohnson has bought their ownbig top. It's a 160 ft. roundend with three 50 ft Middles.

Fisher Bros. Circus reportsthey have started to get SOMsunny and warn days at last.

Polack Bros, Circus will best the Fresno, Calif, ̂ air fortwo days this fall.

The Happytime Circus andMiller-Johnson day and datedat both Fresno and San Rafael,Calif*

The state of Oregon is pre-paring laws to govern promotion-ally activities which will besimilar to those enected inthe State of Washington*

Bill to ProtectEagles, Pelicans• SACRAMENTO (AP)-Thegolden eagle and the pelican•would be put on the state'slist of untouchable birds un-der a proposed law.• Assemblyman Barry Keene,

D-Santa Rosa, said his hillwould make it illegal to takeeither bird captive or to killthem.

OTHER ROUTES

Three Caballeroe (Disney)May 23-27 Spokane, Wash.

Small World (Disney)May 22-27 Waterloo, Iowa

Holiday on loethru June 3 Mexico City,Mex.

Ice FolliesMay 22-27 Oakland, Calif.

Bugs Bunny ShowMay 25-26 Paramus, N. J.

Water ShowMay 23-26 Richmond, Calif*

Page 6: America's Favorite Circus Weeklyclassic.circushistory.org/Publications/CircusReport21May1973.pdf · It was his 70th birthday and his 50th yr. of clowning with "The Greatest Show on

Page 6 Way 21, 1973

is ok... .by MICHAEL D. SPORRER

The American Continental Circus, aGatti-Charles Production, played Seettle,Mash, on May 13-18 under a tent. The bigshow tent wes a 100 ft. round end, withthree 40 ft. center pieces. Local aeatsand lighting were used*

This was the first time here that theshow has used a tent and it g*v* it • realthree ring circus flavor* (Host of thetime the show plays indoors or in grand-stand type arena*s

The program featured top notch acts,plus the George Hanneford Family numbers.The only act which was unable to work inthe tent was that of the Honritas, a nighspace wheel number*

The program, as presented her* in-cludedi

Spec - Cinderella - featuring CatherineHanneford as Cinderella

Bareback riding - Henneford girl*Frank Mogyorosi - dogsKay Hanneford - dog, monkey end ponyClowns - The mother of the yearPrincess Morningstar - trapezeAcrobatic troupeThe Paulos - aerial cradleClowns - The Fire HouseKen Wilier - one finger standLemka's chimps

BOOKAn interteating story of the American

Indian, told by a man who lived and work-ed with them, is provided in the new book"My Friend the Indian* by James McLeughlinOriginally printed in 1910,the book had a limitedsale and has been longout of print.

Now it has been re-published, along »ith30 full color paint-ings by Daniel S.Buisson. The book isan excellent volumeand a fine study ofAmerica's Indians.

To order your copy send $14.95 to thatSuperior Publishing Co., Box 1710, Seattle,Wash. - 98111.

The Ceo. Hanneford, Jr. Riding act— Intermiasion ~

Frank Mogyoroai - lion actThe willettys - JugglingJo* Casstevens & Co* - trampolineCongo* the human gorillaClowns - Paper tearFranciscoa - teeterboardThe Flying CaonasC*o* Hanneford, Jr. - elephants (4)Honritas - apace wheel - worked outside