2nd Section April 1,1983 Torres and Sally; Center Ring, the Lucky Osciriin Bros. Brothers, comedy tables; Center Ring, Re- by JIM PARKER galito (Carlos Campa) with and musical bottles; Center Ring, The Zerbini The Port Richey (Fla) Chamber of Com- Troupe JMario and Roberto merce sponsored a brand new under canvas and troupe); Aerial Production with Juani- three ring under the title of the Oscar ta and Araceli, Alicia on the Moon, The ian Bros. Circus. The well known Manuel Munoz Sisters; Intermission. Ramos family are bringing out their own show under a beautiful red and white strip- by Glacia Oklahoma (Munoz); ed big top, that is a 130 wide and 260 long. Center Ring, The Oscarian Troupe, ; Ring 1, Carlos Campa, Jr., rola bola; Cen- Show moves on red and white decorated ter Ring, Regalito, ; Center semis and trailers which include the prop Ring, The Zerbini Riding Act. semi, canvas and pole semi, performing cat semi, concession trailer, generator wagon, Pre show and intermission time had Mike mustang with automatic stake driver and La Torres and his elephant Stoney available the usual number of privately owned trucks in the big top for elephant rides. and house trailers. All show equipment has Alley consisted of Tommy Medina been ornately painted by veteran show pain- (Manuel's step-father), Regalito (Carlos ter and circus enthusiast Dennis Gilli. Campa), Diamond Jim Parker and Bruce This three day date was the opening engage Baker. Regalito and Diamond Jim worked ment for the 1983 season as the show will come-in. be playing a number of Florida spots before The circus lot was next to the Port Richey moving up north. Show days were Feb. 11, Village Shopping Center and was on a dirt with show times of 4 and 8 p.m., Feb. 12 lot. Heavy rains prior to the show's arrival with show times of 2,4 and 8 p.m. and Feb. required setting up in a sea of mud. The sky 13 with show times of 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. broke during part of the first day, however, On the midway was Dean Potter's Circus all day the second and third days heavy rain Side Show, the newly painted concession felt and since the lot was lower than the trailer, managed by Andres Ramos and the shopping center it became a swamp with the colorful ticket bus with Gusta Ramos in runoff water. Mud and water were calf deep charge. A Moon Walk will be added. in all three rings, however, morale was high Big Show announcer was Bobby Fairchild among the performers as well as the public and music was provided by Lynn Michaels who braved the adverse weather conditions. at the organ. And in the weather department things got The Oscarian Bros. Circus program ran as steadily worse instead of better as high wind follows: Overture by Lynn Michaels; Senor including tornado warning were out the last Ramos and his Mixed Jungle Killers (two day, Sunday. At approximately 12:30 a.m. lions, two tigers, two black leopards, two on Sunday I had just completed putting on jaguars); Two rings of loop-the-loop with my greasepaint when Mike La Torres banged Juanita and Alicia Ramos; Ring 1, Lancelot on my camper door and told me to get the Ramos w/dogs, Ring 3, Sally La Torres w/ hell out of there (I was parked at the end of macaws; Peanut Pitch by Bobby Fairchild; the big top and I asked what for and looked with Musical Chair production; In out the door, just in time to see a huge gust Center Ring, Stoney, the performing ele- of wind hit the big top, which almost in phant, trained and presented by Mike La (Continued on Page 2-A) Page2-A April 1,1983 - Bungaa Stretch Cards * FOR SALE Designed as a substitute for rope. A sturdy 45 ft. Wells Cargo Flatbed stretch cord with plastic coated hooks on 18 ft. Wells Cargo Artifacts Trailer each end. Limitless uses - Bike Racks, Car Tops, Suitcases, Packages, etc. Any place 1978 Ardon 40 ft. Office Trailer rope is used. Saves tying and untying. Will 1976 Chevrolet Shortbedt Search not loosen in travel. Light Truck with Search Light 3-36" $3.00 post paid Call or Write: MERRYMAN TRADING CO. CIRCUS VARGAS 920 Bajada Crt. No. C P. O. Box 910, Lakewood, Ca. 90712 Fremont, California • 94539 Phone:213-920-7648

OSCARIAN BROS. (Continued) and they really tried. Considering the in- climate weather, the public had come out to slow motion style fell to the ground. For- see the show and those who saw it really en- tunately no one was under the canvas when joyed it. This was hardly the ideal way to she went down but the wind was so strong begin a new show with a new season * in a that it blew over the cat cages inside the top. sea of mud, pouring rain and a blow down. Immediately, everyone was out of their Like true troupers and under the guidance trailers and rushing to the now flattened big of Manuel Ramos, everyone pitched in and top. Again, Lady Luck was with us and no helped load the show. It was a heart-render- props were damaged, and the cages were ing set-back but once back in quarters minor quickly righted and the cats were okay and repairs were made to the canvas and equip- best yet, the canvas itself was not seriously ment was washed off and by now the wa- ripped or torn. All during this time and for gons have already rolled out to other Flor- almost the rest of the entire day the rain ida towns and the Oscarian Bros. Circus, continued to pour down and it was decided under their red and white striped big top, to cancel the remaining two performances. and with a few changes of personnel due to It was sad as the Ramos family had put to- prior committments, will be bringing a fast gether a strong show and despite the bad moving, high quality performance wherever weather everything looked so clean and nice they show. Che Ciicus Report Page 3-A Due to a disappointment * * JON FRIDAY -A- iir * AMERICA'S FAVORITE CIRCUS HAS A FEW CHOICE 1983 DATES AVAILABLE Reliable, Dependable. Highly-Qualified and Acclaimed by Media and Public Alike Giving the Same Dignified and Highly Professional Service to the Small-Timers as the Big-Timers for 30 years - WHY SETTLE FOR LESS? - Talent Buyers, if Experience is Important to you (and it should be) my credits include: All American Indoor Circus Hubert Cwtle lnt- 3'Rin9 Circus Bentley Bros Circus KaVe Continental Circus "Big Top" - CBS-TV Network Kelly Bros. Circus Carson & Barnes Circus Kelly-Morns Circus Circus Coronas Olympic International Circus Circus World Museum Page-Cavanaugh Circus Clyde Bros Circus ?*n American Circus Cole All-Star TV Circus "The Paul Winchell Show" Duke of Paducah Circus ABC-TV Network . Hall-Christ "Circus Unique" M"J| Br°J- Circus Hamid-Morton 3-Ring Circus $e|ls & Gray 3-Ring Circus Hanneford Family Circus "Super Circus' - ABC-TV Network Aut Swenson Thrillcade (Above clients reflect about 80% engaging me as Announcer/Ringmaster and remaining 20% as Solo- Aerialist which I've included as I feel that I'm just as much a Performer on the Floor as in the Air). In addition, I've also been a television newscaster in Indiana and an editorial writer for Billboard Publications. Hold a B.A. degree in Communication Arts from Michigan State University, Class of 1957. I can be seen as Ringmaster for CIRCUS CORONAS as follows: + April 1-10 - Marietta, Georgia - YAARAB SHRINE CIRCUS (Repeat) + April 15-17 - Monroe, Louisiana - ANNUAL SHRINE CIRCUS + April 22-23 - Little Rock, Arkansas - ANNUAL SHRINE CIRCUS + May 13-15 • Shreveport, Louisiana • ANNUAL SHRINE CIRCUS SAME NAME AND ADDRESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS JON FRIDAY 69220 C. R. No. 687, Hartford, Michigan - 49057 Phone:616-621 -3394 In the East Contact: In the North/Midwest Contact: In the South Contact: Tibor Alexander Howard W. Schultz Gunnar Amandis (518) 794 - 7784 (312) 867 - 4282 (813) 371 - 6605 In the Far West Contact: Kaye Entertainment Ent. (213)462-6001 - MY '83 ALL-STAR AGENT TEAM - THE RINGMASTER WITH REAL EXPERIENCE COSTS JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN THE AMATEURS AND "FIRST-OF-MAYS" Pa 9e 4-A April 1,1983

ail we had to do was give the gate keepers . From Florida the coupons and we were into the grounds. by MARJORIEJ. HACKETT There is some type of "promo" every day of the fair. "Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day/' was what we used to chant First stop was a favorite taco stand and as when the sun left us and we (as little kids) we were eating them, David spotted friend could not go out to play! Florida began to Bill Kourmpates and his wife. Sandy, who look like California when God sorted out joined us and then who came thru the gates the weather and sent us one of the wettest but UN Kristensen, her husband Sven and Febryarys on record, (this was written on her Dad, Karl, who also stopped for a short Feb. 18,1983). We were not unhappy about visit. We all visited the building which hous- getting rain, just that there was too much of ed exhibits from many of the counties of it for outdoor activities. Florida, all done in a Circus theme. There First week of February is a busy one on was even a unicycling clown passing around the Tampa Bay Area with the Florida State the crowd. Very well done. Even the plants Fair and the big exposition for outdoor were exhibited on a larger than life size cir* showmen at Gibsonton, both of which bring cus wagon. in many visitors and exhibitors for the many Next stop was to the main (and 1st build- events surrounding these dates. The ban- ing) which housed a variety of exhibits quets; meetings; memorial services, etc. where we were thrilled to see John Zweifel All the p re-publicity promised many new and his White House. One of the marvels of and exciting innovations at this year's fair the miniature world, this has to be seen, in and we decided to attend on opening day. person, to be appreciated. It is going to be one of the top State Fairs Degeller Amusements have the carnival and in the country (as native Minnesotans like the midway had more rides and concessions David and me who know that the Minneso- than the previous year. We found the big top ta Fair is "tops") can attest to, in fact the and the first person we saw was Walter Pat- folks here are now beginning to refer to it terson who was on the show with daughter as the Florida State Fair instead of the Wendy. The band was directed by Keith Kil "Tampa Fair." It used to be in Tampa, on linger and included Russ Darr,Lenny Bales- the edge of what is now the ever growing ten on drums and Wanda Darlington (sister campus at the University of Tampa (Old of Keith) at the organ. Bill Boren was the Henry Rant Hotel and grounds) and as the announcer-ringmaster. area and the poulation grew, it had to find The following acts appeared, working un- a new home, which it did in 1977 on Inter- der the handicap of lots of water, in fact on- state 4 and 301. ly two rings and the stage were used as the Our primary interest in attending the fair third ring was under water, too much of it is to attend the Eddie Zacchini "Free Cir- for the wood chips and sawdust to absorb! cus" sponsored by Art Pepin (Pepsi-Anne- Troupers all, they came out and smiled and haueser Busch Distributor) and Hav'A Tam- worked. Derek Rosaire and Tony, his won- pa Cigars. I shall tell you of that perform- derful horse; Frank and Ruthie Clark doing ance under the blue and white striped big two turns as Francarro and Estrellita on the top. and their foot juggling routine. The We arrived at the Buffalo Ave., Entrance Bertinis doing their cycling and wire acts; to the Fair and were directed to a grassy The Bovays, doing two turns; Buckles Wood field by a young man, to park our car. Da- cock's elephants; the Flying Larrays; Albu- vid was as aghast as I when we saw cars lett Brothers, high wire and clowns Dime "stuck" in the mud, trying to get out or to and Connie Wilson and Danny Chapman, jockey into a parking row! We were lucky Glimpsed Barbara Woodcock backstage but and drove in, without getting "stuck." the pretty little girl working with Buckles (Needless to say, after the end of this date, this day was, I understand, a niece of Bar- a hi-priority must be macadam paved lots bara. We enjoyed it all in spite of the inter- for parking). Sorry about that, as it seems mitant rain and dampness. (It got worse as that the whole world is getting "paved ov- the engagement went on). er." This was a "pepsi day promotion" so (Continued on Page 25-A) The Ci-cus Report Page 5-A tremendous." Karoly, also descended from There's been e change generations of circus families, raised on Ringling, probably ranks with Gunther Ge- by GORDON TAYLOR bi'l-Wilhams and Wayne Fran/en in the It can't have been an easy decision. Tum- triumvirate of U. S. circus super stars. my Hannefprd has removed both himself "And now," Orszak says, "Mrs. George and his family from the legendary Royal Hanneford proudly presents,".. fanfare ., Hanneford Riding Act. Rather than intro- "two hundred years of equestrian excel- ducing, "That Riding Fool/' Ringmaster lence! Ladies and Gentlemen, The Karoly Ray Orszak now calls Hanneford, "Circus Riders." Music: "New York, New York," Impresario." Unlike Baraboo, Royal Han- flamboyant, raz-ma-taz music. Everyone neford is not a museum, it is an enterprise. who saw the finale of "A Chorus Line" The riding act is the centerpiece of his has a good idea of the "look" of the open- Royat Hanneford Circus, yes, there's not ing. The ring is flooded in golden light. Five very subtle feeling somehow that the act women riders in gold form a line across the represents the culmination of seven gener- ring from Karoly who is in gold tails and ations of performing Hanneforris. Royal gold top hat. Everything is so gold it hurts Hanneford Circus was there for the riding the eyes. act, not the other way around. One fan What's going on? This and the Golden West puts it this way, "You could drop the Han- on Ringling 112th and Dolly Jacobs golden neford act in Caesar's Palace tonight, and it entrance on 113. What does it mean? Is this would out-class everything in town." With a throwback to depression tastes? Golddig- Tommy's departure an era has ended. geraof'37 revisited? So, the torch has been passed. This year, Struppi Hanneford paces the horses. I be- young Mark Karoly stars in an act billed as, lieve this is why the air of regality and the "The Karoly Riders." driving tempo are still evident. If the specs For two yean ringmaster Orszak had in- Royal Hanneford did in Savannah the last troduced him as "Mark Hanneford Karoly" weekend in February were, perhaps, lack- The kinship, however, was not evident in a ing in polish, the riding act is well rehears- review of Hanneford family genealogy in a ed, tight and still all grace and breath-tak- '79 Royal Hanneford program. ing vitality. A bareback riding act, like op- The effect of the departure of Tommy era, has many different entertaining ele- Hanneford from the act is profound. The ments: rich costumes, fast, relentless pac- loss is made greater by the absence, also, of ing, attractive looking people, huge, beau- Dennis Zoppe. Zoppe added - in addition to tiful horses, , humor, a triump- brilliant riding - a knack for zany clowning hant reaffirmation of the work ethic and and an element approaching sibling rivalry. best of all, those extraordinary, breath- The Sundance Kid. He was a strong foil for taking tricks. Karoly. It's a moment Circus Report has mention- "He'll do something until he makes you ed before: "Ladies and Gentlemen, The laugh/' said one delighted watcher. First Lady of the American Circus, Mrs. Further, the change in the focus of the ri- George Hanneford, herself. Ninety-four ding act - from a driving, intense "ensem- years young!" There is applause and a wo- ble" work to a "star vehicle" - was funda- man in the next row shouts "All Right!" mental. Remarkably, none of this was in- Considering what a spine-tingker this Great surmountable. Moment is, I don't know why they bring Judged on its own terms, the new act, I her in so early. feel, is a triumph. Mark Karoly is as com- To a greater or lesser extent, everyone in pelling and exciting to watch as anyone in the act seems turned on to the music. Ors- the business. Circus writer Ken Holehouse zak introduces Karoly's somersault before described Karoly as, "agile, charismatic" he does somersault six spotlights follow and said Karoly's work with elephants, his as Karoly elects to bounce over to Mrs. equestrian acrobatics and his "backwards Hanneford and starts dancing. Mrs. Hanne- somersault from the back of one galloping ford picks up the step. Up in the stands the horse to another," is "ten hands beyond (Continued on Page 24-A) Page 6-A April 1,1983 ly without noticable flaw or hitch. Unlike . The Red Unit in previous years, we noted that very little by KEN HOLEHOUSE was cut out of the early Saturday shows • something we certainly applaud and com- The 113th edition of Rjngling Bros, and mend. Barnum & Bailey Circus is on the road and The upbeat opening Spec featured the Pink although it's known as the Red Unit, it Panther popping out from the ringmaster's might well be called the Pink Unit because podium as the opening announcements end- that was the color that was most evident ed. And as Dinny sang "Everybody Wants when we caught the show in Greensboro, to be a Ringmaster" the Panther pranced, NC, on the last Saturday in February. Gunther Gebel-Williams rode in with two The show has been completely reworked. A new vigor and vitality has been infused uncaged lions, dancers were whirling every- into the show • perhaps it's the order of where, elephants thundered through, and displays, the of acts • whatever, it the whole troupe was introduced. The Pan- works better than ever. A Pink Panther mo- ther came roaring in on a makeshift motor- tif is carried throughout. Remember the cycle to begin the second display, the Urias Pink Panther of cartoon fame? He's a Ring- Troupe in the Globe of Death and then the ling circus star now, with his fantastic theme Panther pretended to be a bank robber, music proceeding him in the many entrances chased all around the center ring by a bevy he makes in the show. of Keystone Cops to begin the third display One change that you'll notice when you The Leaps. Serf Rocha is the star of this first enter the arena is that the ring curbs display with his mugging and carrying on, have been reworked and painted a kaliedo- and the cops quickly shed their uniforms scopic white, blue, yellow and orange. The and guns and become instant gymnasts. music is now blasted out of speakers dis- With the frantic, fast-paced series of open- guised as derby hats mounted on top of the ing acts, we're ready to relax a bit and are rigging. This innovation was introduced on treated by some rather leisurely antics by the Blue Unit last year and makes for groat Hall's Baboons and a goat display featuring sound and clear sound all over the arena. Michelle Antalek and Mark Oliver Gebel. Not a word of Dinny McGuire's or a trump- But in the center ring, the madcap antics et note is lost. The sound system is excel- of the Antalek Chimps in a bull fighting lent and a great improvement over the in- routine keep us jumping. This is followed house system I remember straining to listen by more action with the Clown's version of to at Chicago's International Amphitheatre. a hill-billy wedding, complete with a shot- Speaking of Dinny McGuire, both Dinny gun toting daddy and an outhouse full of and Alice Lynn have moved to the Red Un- appearing clowns - a variation of the clown it. Although one wag commented that the car gag on the Blue Unit. two reminded him of Nelson Eddy and The show continued with three aerial acts Jeanette McDonald (they're before my time, - The Franconi Duo, memorable from their but I understand they were very popular seasons on Vargas, Miss Lisa with a wildly vocalists), Dinny's dramatic announcing executed mid-air heel hang, and Satin, a new which varies from Marine Sergeant loud to act on a star-disc put together by two very a hoarse stage whisper as he intones the us- athletic and talented showgirls. Such stun- ual circusy jargon "Otto the Magnificent ning beauty over all three rings was breath- leaping over four ponderous pachyderms" taking. etc. is well-liked by the audience and is aug- Three rings of liberty horses followed the mented by a relaxed and smilingly pleasant aerial acts, with Sigrid and Tina Gebel per- stage prescence and a mellow, authorative forming in the outside rings putting six baritone voice. horses each through their paces, and Gun- Dave Caesar, when we first arrived, told us ther in ring two with 12 liberty-minded that this was the "best show ever" even be- liberty horses. fore we sat down to watch the first perfor- Clowns returned in another thematic dis- mance. Dave, as usual, was right on target. play - a ride-around instead of a walk- Under the cool, capable and congenial dir- around, riding on all kinds of crazy bicycles, ection of Tim Hoist, the show moved brisk- (Continued on Page 24-A) The Circus Report Page 7-A Roper's Convention An Anniversary The International Trick and Fancy Ropers The Jack Bell Tent, CFA, will celebrate its Association with members now in ten coun- 25th anniversary this month. The name of tries will hold their first annual convention the tent will be extended to Jack Bell-Helen on April 16-17 at the Montie Montana Ro- Billetti Tent No. 90, in honor of one of its deo Ranch in Agua Dulce, Calif. Sunday af- members, Helen Billetti Warburton. ternoon, starting at 2 p.m. the members will Helen and her husband Eddie, and his sons produce a real western extravaganza of Wild performed as the Billetti High Wire Act, ap- West acts with aerial shooting stunts, fancy pearing with such as Hagenbeck- riding, whip cracking exhibitions, fabulous Wallace, Polack and Hamid-Morton. They horse catches, Mexican Charms rope artis- also appeared at numerous outdoor shows, try and a Guinness World Record attempt fairs, parks and promotions. Helen is serving by Vince Bruce. He will try to beat the le- her second term as a Director of Showman's gendary record of 1,000 continuous jumps Club. She is also the sister of Lillian Bell, wi- thru a spinning Texas Skip Loop said to have dow of the late Jack Bell, circus bandmaster been done by Will Rogers over 50 years ago. for whom the Seattle tent is named. Vince will be the first roper to ever try to This gracious lady and great performer is beat this record that has endured for over a probably Circus' No. 1 fan. She still has half a century. many old friends in the circus and is con- Proceeds from this show wilt help keep stantly making new ones. rope spinning from becoming a dying art. As Charlie Smith, trainmaster from Ring- For further information on the convention ling says - when the train pulls out be sure and show write to: Box 369, Palmdale, Ca. Helen is off - she just might be tempted to 93550. stay on and start all over again. Page 8 A April 1,1983

few seconds. In the mail Although his potential of breeding has been fromBUCKYSTEELE proven, and is a shame, it's danger is more than I can handle or want on my conscience. Before April 1st, I am putting my male As- His life or that of a fellow human being, is ian, "Buke" to sleep. my choice. Although he was one of the few to produce This is a goodbye to one of the best ele- off-spring. My facilities and pocket book are phants I ever had and my family shares my the reason and mainly, the danger to human feelings, as he helped them through school life. Very few zoos have facilities to handle a and life. male, let alone a breeding male of 8' 3" at We will all miss him deeply, and so will his the shoulder, 8700 IDS. in weight and ISyrs. off-spring to come. of age. As we have seen recently, history is starting to repeat itself with male elephants. Mine, as with many, is very good in the summer, but come October and November, then March and April again, is very incorrigable and this increases with age. He is part of the family in our hearts, but PAM and RON PERRY are presently with Mother Nature does strantjfe things that helps the George Garden Circus, doing their two a species to survive, and for this he is forgiv- acts, which includes the double wire act. en and admired, but truly respected. RAUL SUAREZ and THE GAONAS plan I have lost friends, Eloise Berchtold and to bring their "Suare2-Gaona Mexican Na- Morgan Berry, in the spring, almost one year tional Circus" to the states this year. They apart. And how many others in a fit of a plan a heavy pitch to the Latin areas. The Ciicus Report Page 9-A

Metoyer and Tiffany Summers, both 4, were killed and Tamaris Griffin, 18 months, was crippled. Adults with the children were un- ROD STEIGER is the star of the 1969 harmed. film "The Illustrated Man" a story of a tat- Sentencing has been set for later this month, tooed man. The movie is becoming one of TV's regular film showings. I Remember Jury says "sane" by WILLIAM WOSTCH I see Danny Chapman's picture on the cov- William Daguman, Jr., the 23-year-old er of Circus Report (March 15,1983). When street preacher who drove his auto into a the Moscow State Circus first appeared at group of children last Sept. 3rd, has been our Cleveland Arena, about 1967, Danny found sane by a jury following his cojivic- was working as advance set-up. tion of second-degree murder. We worked with him in the 42 ft. ring, Daguman's attorney. Jasper Monti, had when the dirt was dumped in. We picked argued that his client was suicidal and be- out bricks and stones and raked it down. lieved God had told him to kill himself We also buitt dressing rooms and the car- when he aimed his car at a group of chil- penter built stalls for the horses, used by dren waiting for a bus just across the street the Cossack riders. from the Cow Palace. We used half of the arena, with one end The children had just crossed the street to masked in, thus making lots of room back wait for their bus after attending a perform- stage. An interperter was used and we got ance of the Ringling-Barnum Circus. Lamont along fine. Page 10-A April 1,1983 que among stage circuses. Most dates are . On the road played in school gyms or auditoriums. The All-Star package has been refurbished by RON MORRIS this year and sports new ringmats, chasing Int'l All-Star Circus opened its 38 week, lights in the ring curbs, plus a new telescop- 1983 season in Pensacola, Fla. on Feb. 4th. ing backdrop. "This makes the 16th year, under its various Company manager of eleven years is Mines titles, that this show has been on the road." Rucker, and he again presents his uncaged says producer Jim Nordmark. leopard as well as announcing the 90 min- All dates are telephone promoted and are ute show. one-day stands. Show moves on 13 vehicles Featured performers include Uncte Heavy's including private trailers. The five show-own Original Pork Chop Review, presented by ed vehicles are all new this year. Due to the Leslie 'Grumpy' Kines. "This act had been high amount of lighted effects the All-Star bought from the estate when Uncle Heavy Circus carries its own generator, perhaps uni died," says Nordmark, "but Grumpy bought it back from us when he turned eighteen." Other acts include The Vincios (Mario Dro- CLOWN LISTS guette), revolving aerial ; Patty Bryant, foot juggling; OeMille and Debbie, wire act, EVERYTHING FOR juggling and Argentine bolo; Lee Stevens THE CLOWN presenting his Champagne Poodles and Ru- bichonik's five baboons. Joe and Betty Eddy have new and bigger 100 CLOWN HINTS pyrotechnical magical displays this year. Seven dancers, three imported from Eng- AND IDEAS land, appear as back-up in all production numbers. David Epperly fronts the six piece $2.00 POSTPAID band which features vocals by Michelle Hop- » kins. Producing clown is Phil Sadler; Chris Brian is electrician; Mario Droguette, prop TIPS FOR CLOWNS boss and Patty Bryant is superintendent. $2.00 POSTPAID Ralph Bowen is general agent for the cir- cus. There are currently four agents on the road, as well as 54 promoters. WHERE AND WHAT The Nordmark organziation recently mov- ed into new quarters in Sarasota and em- TO BUY IN THE ploys eighteen people in its offices year CLOWN WORLD round. As well as office space the 9,000 sq. ft. building encompasses a carpenter shop, $2.00 POSTPAID rehearsal area and a costume shop with six .*» seamstresses under the direction of designer Lynette Parker. SPECIALOFFER Nordmark's ice unit. Jubilee On Ice, is now *»- being readied for its 6th season and a 34 week tour. Circus acts hired to date include ALL THREE CLOWN the Knops, perch pole routine. Staffers in- clude company manager Levoie Hipps who LISTS FOR ONLY is supervising the preparation for the road, $5.00 POSTPAID and director/choreographer Bobby Dcnard conducting rehearsals in Sarasota. David PAUL W. HORNE Balton has prepared the original score. Dept. CR 250 West 77th Street ' New York. NY • 10024 The Circus Report Page 11-A FOR SALE ATTENTION Complete Upright - Standard Di- mensions • Extra long net in great condi- tion • Outside lights- Nicopress tools with SHOW OWNERS extra cable for future repairs. OFFICE MANAGER with twelve A great buy at $3,500 or make offer. years experience handling Day and - Call before 8:30 a.m. or after 7 p.m. - Night Telephone Promoters, desires 213-897-6193 permanent position with legitimate Lithograph Wanted show. Family man with two year's college RBBB Gargantua poster as on Page 263 of 'Circus in America', Page 122 of 'Tic- No habits and excellent references. ket to the Circus/ Present association with same show DOUG MORRIS for seven years. 4516 Del Moreno Drive Woodland Hills. Calif. - 91364 Willing to relocate in permanent of- fice or travel with show. Beck's Circorama If interested, write: by RANDY WILLIAMS RICHARD J. FUNK A show rarely mentioned in Circus Report P.O.Box 16-Suite 2627 is Beck's Circorama. This show plays mainly armories and school gymnasiums in the Broken Arrow, Okla - 74012 Southeastern portion of the U. S. On March 11th, the show got off to a spec- Miss Alexandria, rota bola; Joe and Georgie tacular start at Cedar Bluffs, Ala., with a var- Smiley, magic; Intermission. iety of acrobatics, animals and magic. Opening the second half was Miss Elizabeth I caught both the first and second days of a foot juggler; The Great Oscar, cloud swing; the 1983 tour and found the shows to be The Great Stroganoff. comedy hand balanc- fast-paced and very entertaining. ing; Miss Rebecca, , and an The second day at Albertville, Ala. (March American Tribute finale with Joe Smiley. 12th), the program ran as follows: The Bo- Both days attendance was very good and vays, horizontal bars; The Magnificent Ma- the show was well received by the audience cias, hand balancing; Inge Williams and her and sponsors with many compliments from Samoyed and Chinese Chow Chows, dogs; both. The Ciicus Report Page 13-A

And as the applause rolls through the are- The Blue Unit na, handsome Michael and Kevin Gautier come bounding in with two rings of baby byKENHOLEHOUSE elephants, three elephants in each ring. Pol- A 1982 report- lowing in the footsteps of their talented fa- The 112th edition of Ringling Bros, is in ther, they put on a polished performance Chicago for its annual Mid-October to Mid- with the aplomb of veterans in the ring. November run. I caught the show a number Daniel Suskow (and sometimes Beta Ta- of times and can confidently tell those of bak) drives a mix of five dromedary and you on the Blue Unit's route that this is a one Bactrian camel through their paces in show worth seeing. ring three. Although some circus purists will pooh- The arena is then filled with clowns, swarm pooh the Hollywood veneer of the Specs ing over and under each other, pulling gags in the Ringling shows, these do bring the everywhere as the workingmen set up the TV generation customers out of their arm netting for the Flying Caceres and the Fly- chairs, towing Mom and three to five kids, ing Vazquez. paying three dollar parking fees, buying numerous quantities of food and novelties. As both sets of the aerialists move thru That, and the prospect of seeing some of the triple with ease, the stage is set for Mi- the finest circus stars in the world, combine guel Caceres' three and a half which he to make this show a memorable experience. completes to the thundering roar of the au- Tall, golden-maned, velvet-voiced Dinny dience. Then the drum roll and Miguel Vaz- Me GUI re opens the show with a blast of his quez takes off for the quadruple somer- whistle and, in the darkness, you can almost sault. In talking with Miguel the night of feet the rush of wind created by the scurry- Oct. 29th, before the evening show, he said ing of a hundred clowns and other perfor- that he has made the quad 26 times in per- mers as they find their places for the open- formances, 7 times at Chicago's Rosemont ing spec. Horizon. Here's a superstar who has the au- dience in the palm of his hand and whether When the lights come up, your eyes are he makes it or not, the ovation is deafening. filled with the gorgeous magnificence of brilliantly sequined costumes everywhere After these aerial heroics, the King Char- and the whole company dancing and jump- les Troupe come roaring in with their mad- ing on everything from pogo sticks to tramp cap, non-stop brand of unicycle basketball, olines. as Dinny sings "Jumping Jack" from an interlude of clowns is followed by Bela "The Greatest Show on Earth." The spec is Tabak's doip, a cavorting romp with lively called Jump for Joy. And joy is what it poodles and Michu and his little ringmates. brings - a rousing enthusiasm from the au- and Sandorand Elizabeth present liberty dience. Alice Lynn's vocal talents assist in ponies. making this a memorable show opener. The Clown Car and Elvin Bale's terrifying walk on the Wheel of Death bring us to spec Although she didn't appear at all the shows I saw. Nellie Ivanov's dazzling fall from the time again. sky cradle let the audience know there were The first half ends with a action-filled spec many surprises to come in this jam-packed called the Wild, Wild West where the whole show. company garbed as cowboys and cowgirls strut and sing while horses are put through After this stunning opening, the audience their drills, Indians pow wow, kids are car- is given no time to catch its breath with the ried around the track in stage coaches, all spotlight on three ring display of the best culminating in the first long mount of the teeterboard acts in the world, the Kovat- show. chevi, the Silagi, fresh from the Monte Car- lo international tour, and the Oblocki As you can see from the lineup above, the troupe who are virtually Ringling veterans. first half is loaded with good acts and mov- Their bounding somersaults to the five-man es at record pace. high are extraordinary and beautiful Yanka The second half opens with either Daniel cf the Silagi does it without benefit of safe- Suskow or Charley Baumann putting eleven ty harness. Applause brings the house down. (Continued on Page 17-A) An untamed array PV^ of South American DYNAMIC fury with the

"Juggling gauchos Swashbuckling Star of the Tight Wire

}3rrformmg tbf Difficult b.ulituarde somersault on a rompimlii portable rigging.

PERMANENT ADDRESS P.O. BOX 173. SARASOTA. FLORIDA 33578 Page 17-A

THE BLUE UNIT (Continued) tigers through their paces in a well-control- led display. This is followed by the extra- ordinary gymnastics of the Grantcharovi and Elvin Bale's Mechanical Monster, which could be described as a fire-belching erector set come to life. "It's for the kids/' said El- vin after the show. And the kids around me were wide-eyed seeing this Star Wars beast whirling Elvin through the air. Perch pole artistry of the Polonia, Do- britch and Oavit continue the parade of excellence as does the superb riding of the veteran Slavovi Family whose rehearsed "accident" is breath-taking. A uniquely choreographed Elephant High- land Fling fills all three rings beautifully costumed elephants and lads and lassies up and down the track. This unusual display has some of the elephants wearing giant tarns and to the tunes of lilting Scottish music in the background finds the Gautier family adroitly putting the big beasts thru their paces. Two thrill acts. Elvin Bale riding a motor cycle up a hipti wire incline and Chris Ad- ams being shot from a cannon close the show. Thrill show, Las Vegas revue, three-ring circus combined, there's something for everyone and no matter what you may read or hear, it's still "The Greatest Show on Earth." _^ It is meat and drink to me to see a clown. .. .Shakespeare

Damn everything but the circus. ... E. E. Cummings Page 18-A April 1,1983 Book Review 'CIRCUS BUFFOON' by Oinny Chapman. Reviewed by Alan Graham. Danny Chapman's novel "Circus Buffoon" lets you in on the truth • through the back door. If fiction is to succeed, it has to do Special Consideration for All Show People that. It not only could happen, but while Trailers delivered anywhere at nominal rates you read it, it is happening. The hero, Amos, is a real clown. So is Dan- CALL OR WRITE ny, but he wasn't - at least not professional- JOHN MAROQNE ly - when he first wrote the book, in 1958 2550 Walden Ave. Buffalo, NY 14225 1962. He was a ground aerialist. A paralyz- Phone:1-716-681-1700 ing fall had given him a chance to catch up on his writing. Amos shares his trade secrets - and a few other secrets, too. Pointers on flying tech- Little People Meet nique; details of circus life that most of us More than 100 dwarfs, from California, would never hear about. Nevada and Hawaii, attended the Meeting of Will the beautiful ballet girl finally get the Little People of America at the Holiday Inn older, worldly wise clown? Three of them in Stockton, Calif.. March 25-27. do, and in the process he teaches them - and The event was hosted by the Stockton Con- several other girls, too - some tricks they vention and Visitors Bureau. Alfred Stickney never dreamed of doing. of San Bruno, Calif., president of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, and his wife, Harriet, immediate past president, served as co-chairmen. POLES and STAKES Billy Barty, a founder of Little People of America and Betty Stewart, served as chair persons for the business meetings. In addition to a variety of activities for all WE SELL POLES and STAKES age groups, there was a discussion on the needs of parents of dwarfed children and WOOD and METAL teen-agers. The family-oriented organization has a na- tional membership of 3,000. Last year its 25th national convention in Reno drew 650 ALL SIZE TENT POLES people.

From? ft. to 32 ft. INSURANCE - INSURANCE ALL INSURANCE NEEDS Van Tent Pole Co. MURRAY HILL Johnson Avenue AURISKAGEHCY Johnstown, NY - 12095 Phone: Phone: 518- 762 -8969 417-738-4225 or 417-882-1709 The Circus Report Page 19- A WANTED BOB WEIGEL CAT ARENA-12 ft. High Preferably with props and seats for 5 cats Says "Thanks' FOR THE MANY GET WELL CARDS WOOD FAMILY SHOWS Box 10155 Sarasota, Fla. - 33578 Thank you, my Friends So Thoughtful. So Kind. Good Friends like you Elephants Are not easy to find. Elephants with the Carson & Barnes Circus It's so very nice this season are listed below. To have so many friends Happiness that it brings + Asian Elephants Will never, never end. Kay - 36yrs Barbara - 36 yrs Rejoice in your friends Susie - 35 yrs Minnie - 25 yrs They are treasures untold Tina - 23 yrs Lydia - 36 yrs Yes, Fabulous wealth Elhe - 29 yrs Mona-15 yrs More precious than gold. Lilly -13 yrs lsa-13yrs Happiness for others Becky -14 yrs Amy - 12yrs Your motto, your goal Jenny-13 yrs Viola-14 yrs Makes life so beautiful Debbie -14 yrs Missy -14 yrs Always warm, never cold. Alta-17 yrs Isla -14 yrs BOB WEIGEL Opal -14 yrs Kelly-14 yrs 2911 Westchester Avenue Tracy • 13 yrs Bunny -19 yrs Ellicott City, Md. 21043 Libby -13yrs Sis-14 yrs Rosie -15yrs Margaret-13yrs Del Rita-13yrs affe gives the show flash with the other animals exhibited on the front end. + African Elephants One gets the feeling that Gopher is build- Pauline -17 yrs Ruby -19 yrs ing his show; hence the show seen today may be stronger in the summer. The new top is a beauty. It is blue with red and white striped sidewalls. He also has one of the former Vargas seat wagons. Lou Regan is with the show. The Termite Ford Bros. Davenports are expecting. He says she will be called Eve. by JOHNW. BEARD Peggy McDonald, Doc Hartman, Spike Han Nice to know you are back in action. I've sen and Fred Icke were seen on the lot. heard it said by others and it's true "you Jack Goble is with the show, Bill Ballan- were really missed." tine's grand-daughter does a single trap act Gopher's Ford Bros, had big business in and the flying act is back, while Gopher is Burnt, Texas. The show's African has been working the cats. Also in the show is Victor getting some, training in quarters. The gir- Flore's high act. Page 20-A April 1.1983

GORILLA EXPERTS BOB and MAE gician's rabbits and kid's dog acts is just NOELL plus enterprising grandson Bob plain simple bureaucratic overkill. The au- Noell and party visited recently. My talking thor of all this is now running for Presi- dog act and my paper act are helping 'Doc' dent of the U. S. in the Democratic primar- Tommy Scott make stage show history. ies for 1984. He won't listen to our griev- Scott's country Med. Show, having exceed- ances either. ed the 18,000 one-niter mark, has set a re- We need a champion in Congress. Certain- cord that is only exceeded by what Will ly, some Congressman must be interested Rogers long ago said was the nation's long- in fairness. Please write to me c/o "Doc" est running comedy act - political affairs in Scott. P. 0. Box 100, Toccoa, Ga. 30577. Washington, DC. I still haven't qiven up the fight to end this Mae Knoell is also Sec-Treas. of a wild ani- foolishness. If you know a Member of Con- mal people's organization which has as its gress who will listen - please advise me. President John Cuneo, also one of the fa- mous Berosinis as vice president. Mae tells me the organization has quite a treasury on hand, drawing interest. Somehow, often unhappily, exhibition ani- mal people have managed to live with feder- al control statutes that may never be repeal- ed like the Prohibition Amendment. Just a handful of people brought the federal exhi- bition animal control statutes about and BONNIE and BILLY EARL are presently just recently in an Indiana appeal, the U.S. doing their musical comedy show on cruise Supreme Court condoned prevarication by ships. They are currently working on the police officers. This makes me sure that S.S. Emerald Sea in the Bahamas. Henrietta some federal employees are temporarily is now being called "Chicken of the Sea." fooling the blind goddess called "Justice." MIKE PIKE, for the third consecutive year, There was some hope that whimsical US conducted the Tony DiPardo orchestera in- OA-APHIS regulations would be stopped termittently throughout the 16 hour Variety when we heard the President of the U. S. Club International telethon in Kansas City. promise he'd "get the gov't off our backs" The show was hosted by TV personality No wonder economists call America's pre- Dennis James and featured performers Ka- sent financial condition a quagmire of debt. thy Lee Johnson and Marilyn Maye, from In a dozen years the feds have spent more ABC's Good Morning America, as well as money regulating exhibition animals than other stars. The telethon raised more than the animals cost. $300,000 for handicapped kids in the Mid- Some of the whimsical inspection of ma- west. The Circus Report Page21-A Golden Squirrel Monkeys Young - Wormed - Acclimated ACTS WANTED - Tame Dispostion - DOING 2 OR MORE COCKATOOS - MACAWS - PARROTS — Indoors This Fall — BRONSON — Short Jumps - 70 Nagle Ave. New York, NY 10040 + Small Animal Acts Phone: 212-942-1150 + Novelty and Variety - Stamp Please - + Magician + Clowns with Props State all in 1st letter with pictures, references and CAPT. DON LESLIE, sword swallower and Lowest Salary tattooed man, recently presented his act at a Tattoo Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., as a Write: feature of that event. He now plans to attend BRADD FRANK the International Tattoo Convention in Lon- Da-Na Productions, Inc. don, England on Sept. 23rd. P. O. Box 668 Crescent City, Fla. • 32012 MARK WILSON, magician and illusion- ist, was featured in a repeat showing of his Phone:904-698-2257 "Magic in China" show on TV late in March. Page 22-A April 1,1983 Random Notes FOR SALE by Circus Joe Vatenciano 2 MALE LION CUBS 3 Mo. old The PBS-TV network has an interesting program called "Matinee At the Bijou" with - $300 each - movies, shorts, newsreels, and cartoons of 714-685-0368 yesteryear. Just recently I saw the movie featuring Clyde Beatty called "Lost Jungle" the animals on display was the giraffe that which had the Hagenbeck-Wallace animals was on Ringiing for a couple of years. and its first portion was filmed in the circus The carnival was the Mighty Blue Grass winterquarters. Shows. It is a colorful show with major rides The Harry Dubsky Family have already and their trucks are painted shades of green begun their season, playing dates with the and blue along the bottom, white in the up- Coronas Circus. Their two acts are very nice per portion and all with big, bold, fancy let- and it was the first time I've seen Harry's tering. I think they are the best looking son, Sir Harry James. He presents a fine and trucks on the road today. Their people do stylish act, with real showmanship. The Roy the painting with the air brush technique al Palace Leopards is a beautiful animal pre- and many of the trucks are pictures of the sentation, with all new shiny props. rides they are transporting. This show also The John Dubsky Family will tour with played the Sarasota Fair, March 14-19. Hoxie Bros. Circus for most of the coming season. They'll be presenting three numbers, Miss Christiana with her Poodle Fashion Pa- rade, Cinderella and her Birds of Paradise, and Miss Jana, half moon and trapeze, on a revolving rigging. JOE and TAVANA LOPEZ are the proud A juggling class was held on March 23rd at parents of a second child, bom on Feb. 16 the Port Tampa Recreation Center. Basic and weighing in at 9 Ibs. 2% ozs. The new techniques, throws and rhythms of juggling arrival has been named Logan Dallas Lopez. were taught at the one time, one hour class. The instruction was free, taught by Dave Parkinson. A big event in the Tampa area was the Flor Ida Strawberry Festival & Hillsborough Cou- nty Fair, at Plant City, Fla., Feb. 25-Mar, 5. Please Note - For Country Music fans this was the place The area code of phone numbers in the San to be in 1983, for they had: Sylvia, Bill An- Diego, Calif., region has been changed. Thus derson, Louise Mandrel), David Frizzell and the new phone number for the Rex Horton Shell West, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Bear act and Gran Mar, high wire act is now Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. They all 619-238-1375. performed at the grandstand on various evenings. Also on the midway was the Commerford THE MOVIE POSTER & Sons very fine petting zoo. Among all of GALLERY Easy access to over 10,000 original movie SHOW FOLKS posters. 1940 thru 1983. Including all cir- - Write, Call or Come By - cus films. Have extra bedroom and some groceries Catalog is just $2.00 W.E.I Shotgun) PAGE (Refundable with First Order) 350 Cherry Street P. 0. Box 2745-Dept. 318 RusseHville, Kentucky -42276 Ann Arbor, Mich.-48106 Phone: 502-726-6609 Phone:313-665-3151 Page 24-A April 1,1983

THE RED UNIT (Continued) THERE'S A CHANGE (Continued)

unicycles, etc. neighbor slaps her hands together and says Perennial teeterfaoard champs, the Kovat- "All Right!" again. Nine thousand of us all chovi, the Dukovi and the Paravoni next fill chuckle and laugh at the same moment. all three rings with bounding action as they Three women race across the ring and, at all attempt the four man high and 15 yr. old once, all three sprint up mini ramps and all Antonio Oukovi premieres the backward three land on the running horse at the same somersault to a free standing 5 man high. moment. Now, Karoly runs across the ring As the applause for this energetic display towards a circling horse. He misses, the fades, Mike Keever pulls in his mule in what horse runs past him. But Karoly is in the air I call a slapstick rodeo clown routine; Eric and .. lands smartly on another horse stand- Braun does the washerwoman and dog; and ing outside the ring. Rudy Barnes does an amazing unicycle rou- For the Savannah date, Royal Hanneford tine. also presented a "living statue" act Intro- The Carillo Brothers do their usual heart- duced as from Mexico City, Mexico, they attacking antics on the high wire, leaving are a troupe of three body builders. Each is the audience breathless and ready for the painted in silver or, to be more accurate, Spec ending the first half of the show. The pewter. Each of the men wears a pewter Spec this year is done in Pink and features colored hood covering his head and pewter the Pink Panther joining the circus. During trunks. Blue and red spotlights highlight the Spec, Gunther's son rides two baby the gleaming bodies. Each man moves at a African elephants Roman style around the very slow, measured pace; they manage to track. twist and balance and counterbalance each Opening the second half, the clowns do a other into what I thought were amazing variety of routines. looking positions. Tins act brings to mind the "Million Dollar Carlos Twins" who pro- And then we are treated to a performance ceeded intermission on Circus Vargas. First by the Fearless Bauers. This family of dare- because both acts show such great strength devils sways out over the audience on 50 ft. and balance. Also because of the almost aluminum poles. I wondered how they could identical way the audience responds. At travel with an act like this. Well, the poles first restless and not paying attention;about are mounted in portable drums (50 gal) of water for stability. The drums are emptied two thirds of the way through the act the for travel and are easily stored, along with audience is literally cheering. the poles, on the train for travel. The fam- ily members change positions on the sway poles and finish their act in a head-first plunge down the pole. The clowns return again, this time to cen- ter ring with a slapstick barbershop act that leaves the ring covered with soap and clowns sliding every which way across the water featuring elephants "Prancing Down Broad- and soap slicked plastic ring covering. The way" with Gunther and the cast and 19 Panther joins this routine at the end, and whirling, dancing elephants - culminating in barely misses getting a piefull of soap in Gunther's two teeterboard leaps. the face. The Flying Espana family attempting the Three rings of dogs entertained us next triple over both rings and the short closing with the Braun Family, the Lorias Dogs and Spec end the performance. Tina Gebel with Russian Wolfhounds. The Neophyte circus fans Todd Fuentes and highlight of the three rings is when Eric Nick Coccaro joined us at the Greensboro Braun's dog, Dino, lands on Eric's hand on performance. We also enjoyed many pleas- his front paws. ant moments talking with David Mullany, Dolly Jacobs repeats her stunning act on a man who loves circus and probably knows the Roman rings, followed by the Elephant more about circus history than any other Spec done in bright colors of black and gold person. The Circus Report Page 25-A AMERICAN Bill Introduced Assemblyman William J. Filante, M.D. au- MUSEUM thored A.J.R.-14, a bill now before the Cali- fornia Legislature that requests recognition of Trick and Fancy Roping as an art and to ^MAGIC honor it with a commemorative stamp to be issued by the postal service. Magic ideas so old This assembly joint resolution wilt also re- cognize the fact that "the International they're new. Trick and Fancy Roper's Association is keep ing the art alive not only for the enjoyment of the roper but for the benefit, entertain- ment and enrichment of the lives of all ci- L Marshall, Michigan 49068 U&A. tizens."

FROM FLORIDA (Continued)

Glimpsed visiting were Gene Mendez and VILEYPRIEST,aCFAmemberfrom Ar- wife; the Kristensens; Mr. and Mrs. Johnny kansas, will tour with the new Roller Bros. Marietta and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Jones, Circus Circus this season. Fans and many of the talented Wilson clam A real surprise was seeing "Jonsie" and wife Shirley from Shaker Heights, Ohio, "Jonsie" The Advance was boss-props on my first circus date in Detroit and Shirley was one of the ballet by John Craig Carpenter girls from the Cleveland Grotto Show, said You hit the road before springtime, they were looking for a Florida residence in and it's not very long 'til you are the Sarasota area. "Jonsie" for several years Cussing your maps and the towners, did the lighting for the Ringling TV broad- the mud, the dust and your car. cast from the Bayfront at St. Petersburg. (Not to be confused with the Ed Jones who are from Zanesville, Ohio). If you like our style order your own copy of Circus Report now. You'll be happy that (More on Page 28-A) you did Page 26-A April 1,1983

Mark has added some of Tommy Hanne- Circus in Detroit ford's comic bits such as the kiss and resul- by JON FRIDAY tant face-slap; the "missed" leap or vault onto a spare horse standing just outside the The 75th Diamond Jubilee Moslem Temple ring; split-second walk in front of a horse Shrine Circus at Detroit, March 11-27, was and race in front of the finish horse. produced by the Hanneford Circus and pre- Mark has the lithe body and acrobatic skill sented at the State Fair Coliseum. to do nearly anything in the circus field he The show program: chooses; however I feel that if he does com- Pre-show clowning by the Moslem Clowns, edy in the bareback riding act that he should Elephant Banner Parades and the Moselm go into the traditional comedy wardrobe, at Shrine Temple Parade featuring officials. least oversize suit jacket and a hat, so the Spangles Serenade Overture under the dir- audience knows that he's a comic. The bright ection of Keith Killinger with the Shrine canary yellow unisex wardrobe worn by his Circus Band. troupe makes it difficult for the crowd to Introduction of the Million Dollar Ring- figure who Mark is when he's in the ring master, Senor Rai. with the others and I suppose the people Jay Cochrane, break-away sway pole (over down in the end of the building would have the back track). a hard time telling the boys from the girls Douglas Mac Valley, Globe of Death mo- and vice versa. torcycle spectacular (between rings 2 and 3 Also, the loss of Dennis Zoppe who Mark and hoisted skyward after the act/. worked well with in recent years is evident. The Farrells (2), high wire (no net) (over When Tommy Hanneford did comedy he the front track). wore comedy wardrobe (purple baggy pants Moslem clowns with the 'Fire House' and oversized plaid jacket would be stand- The Verdus (3), rolling globes, Backstreet ard) and also, his brother George or more Flyers (6), All-Black tumblers, Franciscos recently Enrique Suarez, would continue (7), teeterboard. the straight riding immediately after Tom- Spanish-themed aerial fantasy (opening my's outlandish nonsense such as knocking with comedy bull fight tableau with 'bull' over a floss butcher and hiding behind his being cut into two parts), 5 webs on front Mother or doing an Elvis Presley imitation; track and 5 on back track, Belinda Maynard the music started again immediately and in center with single trapeze and bare-foot the act lost no momentum. twisting heel catch, one hock. With Mark Karoly doing both straight and Space Age Illusions of Mike Phillips & Tri- comedy riding; it seems like the act gets cia "Sexy Fox" - Nobody will fall asleep turned on and off too much. Mark remind- during this Phil Morris production with loud ed me somewhat of Tommy's uncle 'Poo- bombs that shake the Coliseum and an as- dles' the way he wandered away from the sortment of other fireworks plus flashy ilu- ring to talk with people in the seats and sions in all 3 rings, not to mention Tricia's sometimes borrow a Sno-Kone from a pa- well-rounded assets in her briefest of red tron and when the band broke into "New briefs; enough to arouse the deadest of York, New York" he did a brief chorus line males. For the mechanical-minded, the main routine with the Lighting Director and fin- illusions are Tabouret, Disappearance from ally, Mrs. Hanneford. But, the ring action Ascending Chromed Rocket to Appearance just falls apart when he's gone more than a in Crystal Casket and Motorcycle-thru-Girl few seconds and as a result even his sensa- all done to fast-paced 'Star Wars' music. tional horse-to-horse somersault fails to get Gaylord Maynard and Chief Bearpaw, ap- the applause it deserves. I'm sure that mas- aloosa horse. Bearpaw's birthday celebra- ter showman Tommy Hanneford will soon tion gets out of control with too much tighten this act up and hire another good bubbly champagne imbibed. bareback leaper-rider to complement Mark like Dennis did last year. , Heidi Herriott, dressage, Mark KaHy Bare back riders (7) with introduction of 94 yr. The Garzas (3) Living Statues. Gold-toned old Mrs. George (Catherine) Hanneford, Acrobatics. Biggest hands of the Mary Ruth Herriott. dressage. (Continued on Page 27-A) The Circus Report Page 27-A

CIRCUS IM DETROIT (Continued) leap thru a fire hoop and also over a fire hur- evening (like Chicago) go to these superb dle. athletes and their slow-motion muscle con- Lion Chase (Clowns) around the track. trol. Work to semi-classical music and when The Flying Lantonys (4), all girl flyers and you see this act you'll discover what a great The Flying Gaonas (5), Julio attempted a and versatile band Moslem Temple has as- triple. Both groups conclude with a passing sembled, led by Keith Killinger. leap. (Both from Mexico). Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp - Spec - The Moslem Clowns - various clown bits on Entire company with elephants, camels (ev- the track, the one playing my center section ev a snake), get into the act with Phil Mor- involved the old Shell-Game (using water ris Arabic/Oriental wardrobe. Mark Karoly buckets) and a "worm" that kept popping and Nellie Hanneford have featured roles. up in the wrong location. Intermission. Sabu, uncaged leopard, Nagana's Snakes Jungle Jamboree - Witch Doctors and Jun- (that's right, big snakes, mostly pythons, of gle Maidens Dance prelude for: about 4-5 of them), Mary Ruth's Poodles. Jorge Barreda's African Lions (6). This I get a vision of a visiting Shriner coming compact lion act has become one of my all- out of the hospitality room with a paper time favorite wild animal cage acts. Every- cup in his hand; taking one look at these thing is neat and clean; there are no prop- giant reptiles crawling all around the center moving stalls and all six of the cats are ac- ring.. and going cold turkey. tive in several routines, i.e. no seat-warmers Cristiani's Elephants (4), Hanneford's Ele- here. "Tufty" (appears to be a neutered phants (3), Vidbel's Elephants (3). In addi- male) and his routine of hiding from Jorge tion to these 10 elephants. Bill Morris is al- when he sees the gun and then saying his so present with Jewel and Cora to make an prayers is a classic bit of . Act even dozen elephants. Besides their arena has an effective strobe-light finish as the lions performance, the elephants give rides in an adjacent building that also has mechanical rides, petting 200, exhibits and a mini-cir- ATTENTION cus Side Show. Also the elephants advertise various firms in the pre-show with their bill boards and banners on their sides. Circus Fins Mark (Hanneford) Karoly - Elephant pro- pelled teeterboard leap to the back of an- and Show People other elephant. Fantastic Flag Waving Finale - Entire com- pany - Six giant flags unfurl around the PLAN NOW TO ATTEND Coliseum. Features a giant inflated Earth/ globe in center ring and several strings of The next running lights. Show folks of Sarasota CIRCIE . Flea Market CERTIFICATE Planned for January Fill in Any Name - Fun Galore Size 8%" x 11" - Rag Paper with Gold Seal Red and Blue Ribbons Suitable for Framing Let's Make - $2.00 - Two for $3.00 - PAUL W. HORNE, Dept. CR 250 West 77th Street i It A Parly! New York. New York-10024 Page 28-A April 1,1983

forwarded the obituary of the late J. Adrian From Florida Rosenburg, attorney, who died at the age of Sunday a.m. we attended the Memorial 86. He and his late brother, Paul Lewis Ros- Services at Showman's Rest in Tampa where enburg founded Lewis Bros. Circus which the services were conducted by Tampa Show traveled throughout the midwest in the 30's, men's Chaplin Bill Kourmpates, like the fair, 40's and into the late 50'$. (This is the show in the rain, altho here we were under an awn where our "Young Nelson's" risley act was ing (which leaked). These services are tmpres started). sive as the names of departed members (dur- A while ago I mentioned in this column ing the preceding year) are read off, the men that Gardinier Phosphates (an internation- and women of the outdoor show world. Tal- al company) had purchased the John Ring- ked to Karl Ericksen, the Wirengards and ling Towers in Sarasota and planned to re-do Egle and Carl Sedlemeyer, Egle told of fly- it. plus building a number of condominiums ing to Miami for the funeral of her aunt 01- on surrounding property. They originally ga Mangiavacchi along with brother Eddie planned to restore the old Motel, for con- and Uncle Mario ZacchinJ. cessions in zoning, but the plans have now Next stop was Gibsonton and the Interna- been changed and the Ringling Hotel will tional Showmen's Assoc. Clubhouse where most likely be "balled down" by a wreck- the big exposition was in full swing. Saw a ing crew. It was built by Chicago million- lot of folks we knew here also, but sad to aire Owen Bums in 1926 and named El say it was too soggy to go outdoors to look Verona, after his wife. John Ringling pur- at the big rides, etc. Enjoyed lunch and vis- chased it in the early 1930's and named it iting and discovered Oscarian Bros. Circus after himself. Historians (including this one) was to be up at Port Richev the following will miss it very much, but it is now a run- week. (We drove up only to discover it was down, ugly hulk, so unless a company with almost totally rained out!). This show, own- a lot of money like Gardinier could make it ed by the Ramos family was sponsored by beautiful again, better that it be torn down. the Chamber of Commerce, everybody had It housed many celebrities over the years to be sad about all that rain! and many circus folks performed there. Like Thrill Shows? You can be a member Some to the accompaniment of Rudy of Joie Chitwood's Thrill Show Fan Club. Bundy's orchestra. Write to: 4410 West Alva St., Tampa, Fla. This is a very "soggy" report after the 33514, if you want to join, it's all free. You State Fair and "Gibtown", both of where will receive news of their appearances as a I got wet feet. I went to bed for a few days Fan Club member. Chitwood, the "chief" with a cold, which does not happen too of- of the stunt car driving clan, and his sons, ten here in Florida. Tim and Joie, Jr. recently finished working Joanne (Wilson) Pinson now has a costume in Burt Reynold's Smokey and the Bandit and design business operating out of her III. Gainesville, Texas home. Rte. 1, Box 970, Circus World attendance was down 1% in Gainesville. Texas 76240. 1982, according to officials at the central Harris Reynolds, with several of his rela- Florida tourist attraction. 1982 attendance tives drove down from Atlanta, Ga., in all was 948,756, compared to 957,482 the this lousy weather planning visits in various previous year. parts of Florida, but the weather was so dis- TV showed a Circus theme opening on couraging that they left from Bobby and Denny Terio's "Dance Fever." Did you Caroline (Hodgini) Hodgson's in Valrico and know Denny is a native Floridan? Dave Me headed home as we were driving over from Millan and tigers from Circus World were Gibtown (on the spur of the moment), so on TV as well as a re-run showing Fay Alex- we missed them but had a quick visit with ander and the Participation Circus. Good the Hodgsons, Corrine Dearo and Caroline's Morning America had a visit to RBBB win- daughter Carol, Virgie Hansen who is Harris' terquarters in Venice, Fla. (The Felds would eldest sister (Beverly Hills, Ca.) visited with like to move the quarters back to Sarasota, Bobby Kaye in the hospital just before she according to recent news). left California, he is now at home in Long Circus Fan Julian Wheat, of Jackson, Mich. Beach, with a nurse.