December 15.1980

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*. i /BILL WILLIAMS - COTTON CANDY "... The ground provided just "... The Million Dollar Carlos as much excitement and perhaps Twins, from Berlin, Germany, even more talent, as a pair of former Olympic gymnastics con- German twins, both former Olym- tenders, perform atop a precar- pic-caliber gymnasts, performed ious perch with Vargas." a bevy of kicks, splits, rolls and ... The Lawton (Okla.) contorsions that would have Constitution earned a '10' in any judge's score card." "... Defying the natural flexi- ... the Waco (Texas) Tribune- bility of the human body, Ger- Herald man circus performers, The Car- los Twins, provoked oohs and "... the twins contortioned aahs from the amazed opening their small frame bodies into night audience at Circus Vargas/1 perfect balance for one of the . . . The Laredo (Texas) Times evening's best received acts." ... The Laredo (Texas) Times Page 4 December 15, 1980 Joseph C. Reisinger ACTS • Are you listed with us ? ATTORNEY AT LAW DWIGHT DAMON Entertainment Law - Civil Trials - Immigration Entertainment Unlimited For Fret Consultation or Appointment Call: 415 -472 -1050 Lane Manor, Box 685, Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-3341

turn in a more sophisticated wardrobe and EMMETT KELLY, JR. CIRCUS to perform some very entertaining stunts on the trampoline. It was a fast moving act and BY JAMES A. CONLEY got a lot of laughs from the spectators. This circus which was presented Nov. 27 to The Saxons were next. He works on a unicy- Nov. 30 at Knott's Berry Farm was entirely cle and goes through some very showy mov- different from the one Emmett Kelly, Jr. es before doing club juggling as he rides the presented last summer at the San Diego 200. wheel. He is assisted by Brenda (on the This time the circus was staged in the large ground) who styles and points up his tricks. "Good Time Theatre", complete with water They follow with club jugging snowing very curtain, dramatic lighting, novel ring curb, entertaining take-aways and club passing as and artistic setting. The acts were booked by well as ring juggling under U.V. lights. The Chuck Burnes of the Knott's Entertainment rings change color as they are juggled and staff. Chuck is well qualified, having had an this was a big hit with the audience. He also extensive background in the circus business. rides a tight pattern between clubs while He has done everything from trouping as a mounted on the unicycle. The Saxons sell clown with RBBB to managing Rudy Bros. extremely well to the customers. Circus. Spielzeug consists of Gary Baker in a toy Emmett Kelly, Jr. opened the show with the soldier costume and Vickie in an old fashion- "sweeping up the spotlight" bit. The ringmas- ed dress. The toy soldier opens the act doing ter, Mike Whitney, was flashily attired in a a mechanical walk to a large overturned drum Vegas type dress suit that reflected highlights where he does a handstand. He gets off the from the spots. This was his first experience stand and appears to run down. The girl en- in this capacity, having worked for some time ters with a small rag doll, sets it on a toy block in the park at other jobs in the entertainment to watch her perform on the upturned drum. department. He showed an aptitude for ring, After her trick, she gets a large key, winds up mastering when he had to ad lib to cover the the toy soldier, who is directed upon the toy long cross-over of Emmett Kelly, Jr. on both drum, given a toy stick horse. The soldier ends of an exceedingly long rope. Incidental- then does a one hand stand using the stick ly, this old gag was extremely welt received horse as the stick upon which he balances. by the audience. The girl then sets the rag doll on the drum The Ferges Troupe were on next, billed as and does a one hand stand using the doll for "Treacherous Tricks on the Trampoline".The support. The act finishes with the toy soldier act consisted of two attractive girts and a man doing the well-known finger stand on the in a very stylish wardrobe, and a comic male who kept interrupting and getting into trou- (Continued on Page 12) ble on the trampoline. He ultimately lost his trousers white attempting a stunt, ran off stage in apparent embarrassment, only to re- License Plates THE CIRCUS REPORT is published each week Official Clyde Beany-Cole Bros. Circus by Don Marcks. 525 Oak St., El Cerrlto. Calif. License Plates. Limited edition of 500. 94530 - Phone: (415) 525-3332. Bright colors embossed on sturdy metal SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $15.00 for the year. Overseas rate via surface malt is $20.00 a year. - $ 6.00 pott paid - ADVERTISING RATES: (Per issue on a first come basis) Minimum Ad $5.00. Quarter P.I.,. B. F. B. ADVERTISING $10.00; Half Page $20.00; Full Page $35.00 P. 0. Box 578 Winter Park, Fla. 32790 The Weller Family

A HANI) BALANCING ACT (Cute but Professional)

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\ Page6 December 15,1980 Show Dates ---OTHER DATES — SAMANTHA Flight Into Imagination Dec 15 Fullerton. Calif. Int'l All Star Circus 17 Brea Dec 15 Douglas, Ga. 19 Pomona 16 Tallahassee, Fla 19 Bradenton Galactic Dragons 20 Ft. Myers Dec 15-16 Tucson, Ariz. • End of Season • 18-19 Las Vegas, Nev. Wonderland Circus Revue Santa's Magic Sleigh (Red) Dec 15 Cades, S.C. Dec 15 Redondo Beach, Ca. 16-17 Kingstree 16 Inojewopd 18 Greeieyville 17 Culver City 19 Summerton 18 Santa Monica • End of Season - 19 Westwood - End of Season- --MAGIC- Santa's Magic Sleigh (White) Pf. Miller Magic Time USA Dec 15 Downey, Calif. Dec 16 Frederick, Md. 16 Norwalk 17 Gettysburg, Pa. 17 La Habra 18 Greensburgh 18 Whit tier 19 Johnstown 19 Baldwin Park 20 Altoona 20 Montclair • End of Season • - End of Season - The Sikorskys We're off for the holidays and Dec 14-20 Chicago, III. would you believe it • I met this guy who said he was a magician and needed me to help him in the act. t expected a real peachy and glamorous show, being a real magician's assistant. It never occured to me that he wanted me to play Santa and worst of Circus Atayde all to make my entrance via Dec. 14-Feb. 2 Mexico City the chimney. Royal Danish Circus But, what's a girl to do once Dec. 11 Atlanta, Ga. she's given her word. You just 14 Houma, La. have to go along with the idea. 16 Ocean Sprngs, Miss It might be fun when all of ISSIidell. La. the children shout "Hey, Santa!" Afterwards there is a party and the magician says I'm invited, so that should be fun, too. t * « » • .' an enormous basket of fall flowers from Wade DATELINE: Dallas: On Nov. 22, the anniver- and Margaret Burck and Mack Eshleman. sary of Kennedy's assassination in this city, an- MILT HOPWOOD, of the Ft. Worth News other star burst from its place in the firmament Tribune, himself an author, also a spomcas- to soar off into the infinite, when MAE WEST ter and sports columnist, penned a rave re- closed her eyes at 10:30 ayem on Saturday view of my novel. His great book "Great Tex- morning and died peacefully and painlessly. ans in Sports" is now in its third printing. He Like my mother, Mae West had suffered first is now working on a new book "Great Women a mild and then a massive stroke, but unlike in Sports." my mother who continues in grave condition, Well, the surprise visit paid by RICHARD Mae returned to her Hollywood apartment and ROSIO to KEITH Kl LUNGER and Rosin's was doing well. On the morning she died she story that he was escorting a Greek Heiress was having trouble breathing, a doctor was around the USA turned put to be, so I am told, summoned who said nothing further could be by eyewitnesses, something quite different. Ev- done and the entertainment industry lost an- identally, the girl was from Florida and Rosio, other of its Great Originals. calling himself Daniel Fleming, was up to his Inexorably we are losing our legends. Only a games again. handful of illustrious greats are left, some of SNAPSHOTS: REX and SANDY YOUNG's whom like Dietrich and Hepburn and Kate friends, the CRUMMETTS (Don and Pat) in- Smith are not in good health. Soon, they and vited Bill and Trudy, Bobby and me, to their Garbo, Swanson and Bette Davis will be gone. home for a sumptous dinner party. Unfortun- Who will replace these unique personalities? ately Bill, working on the interior of the Is it because these stars entered an era when Strong's semi, couldn't make it... REX golf- movies were new that their personalities be- ed every day he could during the layoff, some came so indelibly stamped on the industry? times joined by another golf enthusiast FRANK Or was it a time when rampant competition GALAMBOS.. .FRANK and DORIS, incident- demanded only the absolute best from a per- ally, will do their aerial motorcycle act next former? To remain a star one had to have season. The Galambos will again be with Ham- something very special, not the least of which id-Morton. . .WADE BURCK's appearance on was talent. And this applied to every show Those Amazing Animals was Aired Nov. 16th business medium, not just the motion picture and was not the last show of the series as I re- industry. ported earlier. Nevertheless ratings for the Mae was a kind and generous woman, her show continue downward.. .Shots of the manner was gracious, she exuded warmth, was BAUERS. ENRICO WALLENDA, DAVE vitally interested in others. In private life she MERRIFIELD were especially well done but was nothing like the brazen and brassy sex those sensational airplane sequences stole the symbol sashaying across the screen. That Mae show (The Daredevils).. .Clown DENNIS West was her act. Oh yes, some of this spilled STEVENS visited the King Bros. Circus at over, but only when she knew her visitor wan- Sarafla. Word is that show goes out again in ted her "on stage", or when she was making a 1981.. .My condolences to GLENN PAR- point, being sexily funny, or witty, as was KINS whose mother passed away in October. more often the case. KEITH Kl LUNGER went into New Orleans This wonderful woman gave me her wisdom, to get the band organized for TOMMY HAN- her love, her friendship. And I am richer for NEFORD and then returned for our closing it, for having known her. Rest in Peace, my week in Dallas.. .DIAMOND JIM PARKER dear friend. is staying in Gibtown.. .High wire walker My first autograph party at Barber's Book DANIEL ACOSTA, a frequent visitor during Store in Ft. Worth was attended by circus the FW date, is suffering recurring health prob- folks wishing me well - PAT and GWEN DA- lems from that terrible fall. Meanwhile he is VISON, BILL and TRUDY. WADE BRUCK, packaging a new high wire act featuring two EARL MICHAELS, MACK ESHLEMAN, and girls doing the same hair-raising routines nor- SANDY YOUNG with her friend PAT CRUM- mally done by men, and, of course, those done METT. Author-columnist MILT NORWOOD by Acosta himself.. .CHRISTOPHER JAMES was also on the scene and I was surprised by (Continued on Page 10} Page 10 December 15,1980

his Thunderbird missing. The wheels were stolen in a lighted parking lot with plenty of people about including BILL STRONG who and the PLUNKETTS played the Hadi Temple was rebuilding the interior of his semi and no- Shrine Circus in Evansville over Thanksgiving. body saw or noticed anything until David said . .ERNIE McLEAN was bed-ridden for several to Bill, after the parking lot was cleared of all days with a severe cold.. .HEIDI and JACKIE but a few vehicles, "Dad, doesn't that car look KRAUSE went to Florida.. .A new coffee as if it doesn't have any back wheels?" It did table book on clowns, printed in Canada and not. released by MacMillan is out and features a CLOSEUPS: SANDY YOUNG has been tak- number of photos on REX YOUNG and a full ing art lessons on the sly and showed Trudy, page color pix of BUNKO (Emie Burch). Most Bobby and me at least six framed canvases of the photos, however, are of European clown she had painted in oils. Some of them are very performers.. .You can look for a new column good. She'd been taking lessons from her friend logo in 1981, created by that ingenious PAT PATSY CRUMMETT, also an artist, and an art DAVISON.. .That catastrophic MG'M Grand teacher. Hotel fire only made the fire officials tough- Well, high-flying HERBIE WEBER and MAR- er at the Convention Center in Dallas (where CELLA returned from their tour with SID they have always been strict) and made it dif- KELLNER's new opus "Old Time Vaudeville" ficult for those os us using fireworks, flash pots and here's all the dope: Sid, who's had his pro or anything involving open flame.. .Ft. Worth/ blems the past few years, is finally back, after Dallas residents (performers and fans) who find trial and error, on the Promotional Ball (and my book gone at Barber's two stores in FW, or as everyone knows when Sid hits his stride at Cokesbury's in Dallas, can acquire same at there isn't a better promototer anywhere). the main public librarues.. .At Murder by The His new promotional endeavor, the Vaude- Book bookstore in Providence my book is a ville Show, is a sure-fire winner, attracting major best seller, selling out two large ship- good sponsors and large audiences. The cur- ments already. Step-by-step it is being distri- rent show featured MOREY AMSTERDAM buted nationwide. Mainly the momentum was (72) who closed the second half and worked braked by spending too much time in Texas, anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Fea- so now I know all future engagements must tured in the program were: JERRY LAYNE, be kept shorter.. .Show business has finally become a sideline. vent and MC, the youngest member of the IRONIC ITEM: A member of the Helta Tem- cast; CHARLIE RAINO (not so young) with ple Shrine Patrol, WILLIAM McKEE, was shot comedy juggling; JOHN E (in his seventies) to death by his wife during the crucial and with dead-pan comedy songs; JOHNNIE RO- much heralded showing of the "Who Shot J. MANO (95) tap-dancer whose energetic ter- R." segment of the TV series "Dallas." The psichpre brought the house to its feet for a Hella Temple, is of course, also in Dallas. standing ovation. This old-time star appeared NOT SAFE ANYWHERE: During an activ- with Charles Chaplin around 1900 and with ity at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Ft. Worth (Continued on Page 12) a man emerged to find both back wheels of Gee Gee ELEPHANTS

and ZELLMAR'S LIBERTY ACT IN MINIATURE

HAVE SOME OPEN TIME AFTER MAY 31gt

Contact: GEE GEE ENGESSER P.O. Box 1654 Gibsonton, Florida - 33534 Phone: 813 - 677 • 2076 Page 12 December 15, 1980

Rudolph Valentino in the 20's! And, of course, GAYLORD MAYNARD's wonder horse 'Bear the LOS LATINOS appearing second from Paw' got front page coverage in the Aug. 27th closing (and NOBODY knows how old Herfoie issue of the Ottawa Journal. The photo shows is except Herbie and he ain't talking). the horse kissing his trainer. PERRY JOHNSON maestroed a nine piece band, ED RUSSELL is booking spots around EMMETT KELLY, Jr. Circus (Continued) Los Angeles for a Spring tour, and this tour drum. It is a most unusual dressing for this played Napa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and kind of act and makes for interesting variety Watsonville. Sid, by the way, now has new in the show. Gary Baker and Vickie have just offices in San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre finished the season with the TNT & Royal building. The Vaude show may possibly come Olympic Circus. east next fall. I hope so. The Shurrays are from the Redlands "Y" Cir- Other news on the Kellner front is that MATT cus. They work from a trapeze and rings. They and GEORGE are doing fantastically well with do a variety of stunts including a little iron promotional operations of their own involving jaw and finish with a helicopter head spin. Labor. They put out their own newspaper and The wardrobe was sharp and the audience recently bought a radio station in Walnut found them quite acceptable. They are young Creek. This station, apparently, broadcasts and will undoubtedly gain more polish with only at night, is called the JAZZBEAU Net- more shows under their belts. work and features AL COLLINS talk show, The Circus Band consisted of leader, Don on from midnight to 5 a.m. The boys have Beamsley on the electronic organ, Art De luxurious new homes, and best of all, girls, Paw, trumpet and Roy Roten, drums. They they're still eligible bachelors. managed to make the three pieces sound like LOVEY, Sid's ex-wife, now remarried, suf- a big band. The whole thing made a nice pac- fered a massive heart attack this past summer, kage quite in keeping with the standard main- was given up for dead. Only shock treatment tained at Knott's Berry Farm. brought her back. She told Hertaie she felt as The performance ran a fast 43 minutes and though she had floated through a pitch black producer Chuck Burnes said he would tight- tunnel and then, suddenly, emerged in a burst en it up to a speedy 39 minutes after the of light She is fine now. first show. Seen in Sid's office one day was RUDY JA- COB!. . .DON MARCKS, who created Sid's the precarious situation with my mother, I re- programs, was just too over-worked to catch marked to Bobby as were driving to a restaur- the show. I'm told that, in addition to getting ant that my father and uncle had lived into CR out weekly, Don is involved in a heavy their early seventies and that my grandfather work schedule which keeps him hopping. had lived to the age of 76. "I don't have much And, finally, veteran clown HARRY ROSS time left," I said, and then brightened, adding, has retired and is selling his props. Harry, who "well, at least I'll outlive Herbie Weber!" is 76, is being treated for a skin cancer on his Bobby glanced sideways at me and said, "What back. do you want to bet?" BACK TALK: Depressed over Mae's death, SEE YOU down the road, luvs. Page 14 December 15, 1980

smaller Chipperfield Bros' Circus (Tommy and Charles) started out rather late, and came BRITISH CIRCUS SEASON OF 1980 off the road in late August, one reason being given was the difficulty in finding suitable BY JACK NIBUETT lots. 1980 is not a year which will be remembered The other new show, Fusserfield's (Tom Fos with affection by most British . sett) found business very spotty, and a pro- Economic conditions, aggravated by inflation jected summer season at Heysham Head was and unemployment, atrocious summer weath- curtailed owing to poor business; the show er, the tack of foreign tourists, all contributed resumed travelling with moderate results. to poor business generally and a few early clo- Among the old established circus families, sings. the Robert Bros, tenting mainly along the Gerry Cottle's Circus went bankrupt in early South Coast resorts, did not do the business summer and came off the road; it came out expected mainly owing to the lack of sum- again in a revised form for a few weeks late mer visitors, being piit off by the dismal in the season. Then, surplus equipment was weather. sold, and the circus announced its intention Sir Robert Fossett's and Austen Bros, circus- of moving to South Africa. es both did average business while tenting in The much publicized Hassani Circus (Circus the Midlands and North, and both did very without Animals} had a checkered career much better when they moved into Scotland. with many cries for help, but stayed out un- There was much battling with the mild wea- til the end of September, although its future ther here, but occasional "house full" notices seems very doubtful. for both shows made the tour wothwhile. Jimmy Chipperfield's Circus World experien- The Circus Hoffman fielded two units this ced poor business in the early weeks of its year, managed by brothers Peter and Jeffrey tenting tour. However, a summer-long engage- Hoffman, and the other by sister Valerie and ment at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome her husband Colin Timmis. The second unit proved much more satisfactory, and the poor had a summer season at Margate, which was summer weather helped here, often driving moderately successful, and when it resumed holiday mak ers into this charming old circus tenting was converted into a "Thrill Show" building in search of shelter and entertain- which toured the London suburbs, but was ment. This circus did not resume tenting af- not an outstanding success. ter the indoor engagement this year as it had The smaller shows, Pinders, Gandeys, and done last year. Weights all circuses with a small "nut" man As regards the other Chipperfield circuses, aged to make a living. All three of these Richard's show with a big animal content en- shows which play the smaller towns had lar- joyed good business generally, through-out the ger and more enterprising programs this year. year; as did Sally, whom with her husband The show which everyone was watching was James Clubb with their fast-growing circus, David Smart's new and very expesnive Super were well satisfied with their summer tour, mostly alnnn the south and west coasts. The (Continued on Page 16)

- MUSICAL COMEDIAN - FEATURED IN KARL WINN'S PRODUCTION OF - VAUDEVILLE 1980 - Permanent Address: 1400 Market St., Apt. No. 303, Tacoma, Wash. - 98402 Page 16 December 15, 1980

BRITISH CIRCUS REPORT (Continued)

Circus with its 12 weeks run at Battersea Park in London. From a personal observation I . FIGHT OVER BIG CATS would jay that in this difficult year, business Officials at Longmont, Colo., have turned was reasonable, but I do not think that this down a request for a permit to keep exotic fine show got the audiences it deserved, t sin- animals on a nearby ranch. Dr. Robert Haw- cerely trust that this circus was a financial, kins, sought the permit for his exotic animal as well as an artistic success. David Smart de- farm. serves it for his courage in these uncertain "I'm going to fight this tooth and nail," said times, and the fans are looking forward to the Hawkins, an osteopath who has lions, tigers Christmas show which he will be producing and leopards quartered on his 80 acre rural at the same venue. home. He said that he was ready to spend as The Tower Circus had its usual good much as $50,000 fighting the commissioners season, the first program for many years with- out the late Charlie Cairoli. The Tower was wise, and fortunate in securing Rastelli's one Miscellaneous of Europe's best clown groups to take Char- The Olympic Int'l 3 Ring Circus wilt open lie's place and they have been a tremendous its 1981 season at the Florida State Fair (Feb. success. 4-15), and then goes on to play Milwaukee, Not a very cheerful report on the season of Chicago, Green Bay and Nashville. 1980, but the British circus proprietors are a resilient lot and I expect that most of them her. Richard (Dickie) Chipperfteld will be will be out on the roads again next summer. seen there with his impressive group of 17 Christmas circuses are being held in London, lions and lionnesses; while his cousin Mary Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, will be there with her four acts, involving Glasgow and a few of the smaller towns. elephants, horses and exotic animals, so here, Some outstanding British acts will be seen at at least some fine British acts will be seen by the Monte Carlo Circus Festival this Decem- large and knowledgable audiences in suitably rich surroundings.

JOEY JORDAN

'CONTEMPOSY JUGGLING ARTISTRY" &5Q SEVENTH AVCNUC SUITE 70s NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10019 u S A

(213) MI.6470 Page 18 December 15, 1980

RAIN IN TEXAS?? NEWS FROM BARABOO

BY BOB STODDARD FROM WM. L. SCHULTZ It doesn't rain in Texas! Right? Wrong! Some- Our season of 1980 was a good season. At- times it does - and not always at the right time tendance was up as well as income. The show One example of this is that the rain on Satur- closed on Sept. 14th. The work crews then day, Nov. 22nd sure did put a damper on the immediately started to prepare for 1981. elaborate plans and the 52 units that were set The tents are down and drying out as they to parade around the Red Bird Mall in Dallas. hang over the rafters in the big parade wagon They had their parade all right, but it was in- pavilion. The outdoor displays have been dis- side the mall with wall to wall people. mantled and put in storage. Naturally, they had to eliminate the horses, The inside displays are having their faces lif- motorcycles, floats, go-carts, cars and trucks, ted for next year's showing. A beautiful new etc., but they had their parade and brought carousel shelter is being erected, which will Santa Claus as planned. add a lot of color to the carousel display. It Maybe Kay Graves, the mall promotion dir- will be by far the tallest building on our ector, didn't pull out all of her hair-and God Museum grounds with its high shingled roof knows (and everyone here understands) that and cupola with the Museum flag in its full we needed the rain. color. The Folks at Richardson Square Mall knew New bleachers have been erected on our daily that Santa's arrival in Richardson, Texas, was parade route. The flat cars that are used for a very special event. They realized that any our loading show exhibition have been sand- happening as important as this would abso- blasted and are being repainted with bright lutely have to be handled in a first class man- new colors and new signage. The horse bam, ner. the hippodrome building and the train shed area for the animals is all being given coats The question of who should introduce Santa of paint. New asphalting is being spread was answered without hesitation, by a group throughout the Museum grounds with spec- of experts on the subject of Santa Claus. ial emphasis being placed in the wild animal "Clowns should do it," the children decided. menagerie under the tiger and lion cages. "So be it," said Joanne Lynes, marketing dir- All in all, the Circus World Museum is spend- ector of the mall, and that's how Checkers ing approximately $120,000 on these im- and Patches wound up introducing Santa to provements. This is typical, as each year the a huge crowd of "children of all ages" at the Circus World Museum improves its facilities mall in a giant celebration between 10 am and noon on Saturday, Nov. 21st. (Continued on Page 27) A very special feature of the day was an invi- tation to the young and the young at heart to have breakfast with Santa and the clowns. JOIN MY MAILING LIST FOR An estimated 800 to 1,000 people accepted the invitation. CIRCUS ITEMS It was a great show, but then, that's how it should be when you are presenting a really ITS FREE big super star like Santa Claus! Thirty-five miles to the west, in Ft. Worth, Need Your Name, Address another clown was selected to do the honors. and Zip Edna (Crackers) Flanagan lit up the Christmas tree in Burnett Park and presented and intro- FREDDIE DAW duced Santa Claus with the help of the Texas tiir-ls Choir and a host of dignitaries on Nov. CIRCUS MARKETING 28th. P.O. Box No. 1 Tallevast, Florida 33588 The Circus Report Page 19

Kelly and Madonna Mitchell; Chuckles the clown with disappearing cane, balloon to rub- ber chicken and appearing cane; and the final MAGIC FOR THE 80's illusion in the first half, the Substitution Trunk BY JACKIE BIAS with Bowman and Zoll and audience participa- "Magic for the 80'$", featuring Master of II* tion. lusion, Byron Bowman, played to a sold-out A color book and picture pilch was made by house at the Logan Field House for the Lo- the announcer during the 15 minute intermis- gan. W. Va., Jaycees, Nov. 23rd at 2 p.m. This sion. new show, just started this year, played for 6 The second half opened with Byron Bowman weeks in the spring and 5 weeks in the fall, the and small illusions. Needle thru Balloon and Logan show closed the tour. The show offers 3 colored ropes into one; next was the "Tube" d45 minute school show and a 114 hour organ Illusion, 4 large aluminum tubes passed thru izat'on sponsored show. a cabinet with Zoll chained inside, billed as Line-up of the show was: Chuckles (Chuck "Flaming Torch thru a Human Body"; Ma- Hager) the clown with audience warm-up; gic of Movement with Maggard and Mitchell Byron Bowman with patriotic Drum produc- in a disco number; Chuckles the clown with tion with flags and Miss Red, White and Blue; production box and tube in his comic ladies Introduction of show by announcer and co- lingerie revue; Introduction of Thumper, the illusionist. Louis Zoll; Dove Magic featuring World's Fastest Flying Rabbit, in a drawer dove pan, balloon to dove, dove to silk, dove box transfer; Circus Cage tear-down transfer to rabbitt and dove cage vanish; Special guest with disappearance of 4 doves; and ending ventriloquist from Logan, Ed Flowers and the show, the flashy Person to Pony illusion Willie with dentist and patient antics; The producing Mr. Bucky, the performing pony Temple of Benares, sword box; The Magic of star of the circus world with the best hind Movement, a company of 3 dancers with a leg walk seen anywhere; the show finished hat and cane number with Jim Maggard, Lee with a cast call and curtain. Lighting and flashes of fire smoke were utiliz- ed for the show and wardrobe was dazzling, with the two illusionists doing 3 complete cos- tume changes. The show is very fast paced with a minimum of announcing and filling be- WANTED tween acts, and received quite an enthusiastic response from the crowd. MAN WITH DRIVER'S LICENSE "Magic for the 80's" leaves its audiences in West Virginia, excited enough to buy tickets WHO CAN DRIVE for the next magic show to come thru, which is more than can be said for some of the shows TRACTOR AND SEMI that play the area. Many people in the business would probably know Byron Bowman as "Barney" who was YEAR ROUND WORK with the Royal Lipizzan Stallion Show for a number of years. AROUND ELEPHANTS

- EDDIE ANSWER -

BUCKEYE CIRCUS CORP. BENJAMIN L. (Dinky) MOORE (72) died in CANTON, OHIO Poplar Bluff, Mo. on Nov. 6th. He trouped with John Robinson, Hagenbeck-Wallace, the LEE KEENER Sells-Floto, Bobbins Bros, and King Bros, cir- cuses, as a clown. He had been retired since 216-484- 5623 1938. Survivors include two sisters Gladys McAllister and Eva Mae Lewis. Page 22 December 15, 1980 PEOPLE BETTY WENDANY $ KARIN STEWART DAVIS' Happy Days Pro- ductions has been awarded the contract to FUNS-A-POPPIN book circus entertainment at King's Produc- PACKAGE SHOWS TO PIT YOUR NEEDS tions, which supplies live shows for King's Box 391. Suniand, C«Hf. - 91040 Island in Cincinnati, King's Dominion in Rich- 213-352-4277 213-352-2454 mond, Va., and Wonderland in Toronto. VELMAand ADEN LOWRY, of Kansas, have veiled a permanent plaque on the wall con- been visiting relatives in Southern California. taining all of their names in appreciation of past frequent shows. THE WAZZAN TROUPE will tour with the Ian Garden show next year which opens next CHECKERS & PATCHES, clown team, will month at Roanoke, Va. MC and be the feature act in three Christmas Variety Shows at the Las Vegas (Nev) Con- The M & S Bl RDS will tour with Garden vention Center on Dec. 22nd. Johnson for the 1981 season. PETE LUVAS was at the Calve* Mall in Gal- REV. DAVID HENNESSEY, chaplain to the veston, Texas, with Kenya the elephant, dres- Ringling-Barnum Circus people, was the sub- sed up like Santa Claus. The real Santa rode ject of a special article in the Cincinnati (Oh) on Kenya's back. Enquirer on Sept. 16th. CAROL (Punkin) HILL clowned in the Red TEX and MARCY MAYNARD have taken Bird Mall parade in Dallas on Nov. 22nd. over the Valley View Diner in Union Center, NY, just six miles north of Endicott, NY, on LARRY WlLCOX, star of the TV show Chips Rte. 26 and 38-B. When Allan Hill's show is also a professional rodeo rider, appearing in played Johnson City the show people parked most of the nation's major rodeos. on the parking lot over night. HOVEY BURGESS, author of "Circus Tech- MARTIN (Lancelot Goodperson) REEVES niques"; JOHN TOWSEN, author of "Clowns" and eighteen other clowns entertained at the and PAUL BOUISSAC. author of "Circus and Scottish Rite Crippled Children's Hospital in Culture" will teach a seminar/workshop "Cir- Dallas and were surprised when the hospital cus As A Performing Art" at the New York presented them with a plaque and then un- University, New York City, starting Jan. 12th. The Circus Report Page 23

ckets instead. Oh, me, the life of a publisher. Wanna buy a book business? Barbi Walker has big 25c down and 25c a week, but Don Marcks has- tened to double that price on his own! May- MMX UMIUD HO!* E lONfS - be if they'd move the decimal over a half BY LLOYD E. JONES dozen figures we could talk business. At long last we've received Lewis Ganson's Steven's Magic Emporium has announced its "The Three Card Monte As Entertainment" 4th annual Desert Magic Seminar featuring which is published in and it is pric- Slydini and Dai Vemon. It will be held at the ed not at $10 as I thought, but $8.00 (air Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, March 29-31 and mail postage is 67c or book rate at 59c). It the charge is just $100. Those attending the is a great classic and offers full coverage with seminar will visit the home of Siegfrid and sleight of hand methods and variations and Roy one afternoon. those with special cards. If you haven't seen Paul Diamond has cancelled his current lec- the Kiwon Miracle, rather, if you HAVE seen ture tour and is in the hospital it done, then you'll certainly want this book. Wonder how much has been won - or lost- on this gambling, betting trick? Writing in TOPS, Frances Marshall announc- "More Of Magic" features some fine rope es the date for the Magic Collector's week- and general magic and a fine cups and balls end to be April 23-25. The guest of honor is routine. It is $10.00 (postage 81c) cloth Lit/a Raymond Gibson, and quote "the fa- bound, 104 pages, illustrated with the au- mous and highly controversial Lloyd Jones, thor's name on the cover. Tsk. of California." Well,! So, I'm famous too! Barbi's book "Miniature Mysteries With After the stupid printers had the "More of Cards" is also cloth bound with a colorful Magic" book by Dr. Frank Blaisdell over- cover and a beautiful set of end papers and printed locally, we can now offer it for sale. even perforated pages (2) of miniature cards Imagine, printing a book and leaving the au- so you can get right to work entertaining. It thor's name off the cover! But then on Bar- is priced a; $17.50 and already it is being talk- bi Walker's book, they failed to furnish extra ed about. (Postage is 81c). sheets of the miniature cards sending dust ja- WASHINGTON TUBES II By Crane

&£ ^ Page December 15,1980

NEWS FROM BARABOO (Continued) picting the Circus World Museum as one of the outstanding tourist attractions in the with approximately the same number of midwest. This brochure outlines the program dollars per year. for a day at the Museum. The other major The big top show for 1981 should be one of brochure that is being developed by the pub- the finest shows produced at the Circus lic relations department is a new and colorful World Museum. Ada Smieya and her tigers promotional piece in which in a very drama- and lions will be back once again to open tic way shows the total story of what the the Big Top Show. Along with Ada will be Museum has to offer for groups such as sen- Gabriel and Martha Flores and their family ior citizens, churches, youth organizations who will be doing their aerial acrobatics and schools. both in the big top and outdoors. Buckles Woodcock with his prancing pachyderms and his entire family will be spending their first year at the Circus World Museum in '81. SHAPPI, comedy and balancing act, HAL The nationally renowned Jimmy Williams, HAVILAND, dog and pony and THE SI- Circus World Museum's Happy the Clown KORSKYS, jugglers/unicycles, were the acts will of course, be with the 1981 show with working for the Caterpillar Christmas Party some new clown numbers and illusions. The in Decatur, III. on Dec. 14th. ringmaster for the next season will be Peter CAROL BUCKLEY and "Baby Tarra" ap- Sturojs. peared in the Oxnard and San Pedro (Calif) The public relations department under the Christmas parades and then were at the Gift direction of Dale Williams is developing all Fairs in Long Beach and Los Angeles for the new brochures for the coming season, which holiday season. They'll open at Lion Coun- includes well over one million brochures de- try Safari Park for a two week engagement on Dec. 24th. Page 21 December 15, 1980

LLAMAS ARE FUN! Excellent pets and pack ani- mals, lovable and ii-ntk-. Adaptable to all climates. HUBLER CIRCUS DATES ea^y to raise A bus-ness in- vestment Less than 3,000 in Pontiac, Mich. • Nov. 15-16 - Acts working U.S.A. Prices start at S<00. Largest herd in U.S.A. were: Wetde's Leopards, Miss Lydia, trapeze. Wool for sale $2 00/^uncc. Bronco Billy King's Mixed Animals, Karinas, PATTERSON LLAMAS Box 188. Sisters. Oteton trampoline, Victor Julian's Little Stars with 97759. (eve.) (503) 549.3831. Leo Coffey. Sir Chadwick Chase and his Rolls

Shirley and AI Stencell

FOR A VERY GOOD SEASON Page 28 December 15, 1980 FOR SALE WANTED Beautiful Fox Terrier Trick Dogi CABOVER CAMPER 14 months old - Doing 12 tricks RANDY FULTON, Call Me Dress Dogs - Hand Balancing Dogs KEN "Turtle" BENSON You Want The Best? Box 123 Monroe, La. 71201 Call: 1-218-624-9664 (318)387-1803

FROM JOHN ALBERT! My wife. Chris and I just recently returned ELEANOR CRAFTS (80) died at her home from a visit to West Germany. During our in Toluca Lake, Calif., on Sept. 4th. She was stay there we had the pleasure of running in- the widow of Orville N. Crafts, owner of the to the Busch Roland Circus, which was play- Crafts 20 Big Shows. She had been an insur- ing in our home town of Braunschwieg. ance agent and broker before getting into show business. Survivors include a step-son, Arturo Segura is with the show, and he and Roger Warren, who is with Foley & Burk. his lovely wife and family welcomed us.They made us their guests and had us seated in the BOB PERRY (92) died recently at his Los best seats in the house. Angeles, Calif., home. Me was a retired mo- Busch Roland Circus is a first class European tordrome rider and is credited with having Circus that runs from March thru November, taken the first motordrome to Europe. Sur- with sold out shows all season. One has the vivors include his wife, Jennie, and a daugh- feeling of entering a fine theatre, and not a ter, Berry Kelly. canvas tent. They have their own private school trailer where a licensed teacher, teach- es the circus children. They, also have their own 28 man Fire Oept., with three fire fight- Intermission. ing vehicles. The tent has a controlled climate The Four Mario Jarz, flying act; Luczyna for year round touring with heating and air- Bruning, roller skating bears; Codrellis, mu- conditioning. sical clowns; Arturo Segura, bouncing rope; We thoroughly enjoyed the show. The pro- Mecky and Ruppert Bemmel, elephants and gram line-up was as follows: teeterboard; The Bogi's, acrobatics and The Trie Rosetti's, leap over four elephants; the Golgojews, Cossack riding act and Russian Two Saratogas, plate spinning; Sascha Hou- wolfhounds. cke, mixed animals, camels, zebras; Duo Ver- The ringmaster was Ludwig Lehner. ess, double trapeze; Marion & Marco, comedy We were also told by several of the performers car; Franco, rola bola; the Segura Family, that the Canadian CTV-Circus show is shown trampoline; Ruppert Bemmerl, Bengal tigers; in Europe. Page 30 December 15, 1980

FALL FUN FESTIVAL WANTED The annual Fabulous, Fantastic, Fall Fun Fes- tival of the Felix Morales Tent No. 85, was FOR MAGIC SHOW held Nov. 1st at Casey's East Restaurant, Troy (NY). Albert House, eastern vice president of ACT THAT DOUBLES the Circus Fans Association, was the guest spea ker. He described some of his adventures in For 6 weeks - March/April booking circuses in New Jersey, and his talk with its appropriate humor was well received. Touring Schools and Auditoriums The TV documentary of the 1979 Gettysburg CFA Convention was screened and enjoyed. Acrobatic/Juggling/Novelty Scenes at the convention, interviews with well known circus personalities and views of the Small Animals Clyde Beany-Cole Bros. Circus comprised the film. Excellent slides showing the Baraboo cir- Must be clean and have good cus parade were shown by Mr. and Mrs. David wardrobe Johnson, as an added attraction. John (Tiny) Phillips, a former national presi- Send Photos and Details to: dent of the CFA, and Mrs. Phillips, were among the many who attended. Charles Elwell MAGIC FOR THE 80's tent president, conducted the meeting, and the Attn: Byron Bowman next dinner meeting will be held April 25th at Route 1 - Box 411 the same restaurant. LeSage, W. Va. -25537 Page 32 December 15, 1980 For Sale For Sale 1978 • 40 ft. Kountry Aire 5th wheel 40 ft. Aluminum Office Trailer, single axle, 1979 Brown Ford Pick-up Fum. van semi. - S3,500.00 Cash - Both immaculate condition • 6.5 genera- tor - 2 air conditioners • 2 furnaces • U. 60 ft. x 90 ft. Khaki tent with poles and S. plates on both. stakes. Excellent condition, used only 5 - $ 23,500.00 - times, Push pole with wall. Complete. - $ 3,500.00 Cash - BETTY PIDOINGTON 34 Leith Hill Road-No. 317 JOHN LEWIS Willowdale, Om., Canada M2J 1Z4 P. 0. Box 331302 Miami, Fla. • 33133 416-499-5520- No Collect Calls web; Arwood's Dogs; Rickie the Clown; John ny Joker; The Burketts, aerial; Tommy com- edy trapeze; Cherie Troy, roman rings; Hard SHOWS MERGE Luck Harpo, break-away bicycle; The Crazy Circus Berlin and Borger Bros. Circus has been Sailors, acrobats; Joyce Rice, baton and whip consolidated into the combined Borger Bros. act; Sunshine, mime; Claudie, juggling and -Circus Berlin. Cleo and his Magic Review. The decision to consolidate the two circuses Props and rigging for the combined shows was made by owners Norman J. Borger and were designed by Claude Crumley and were Elton Berlin after difficulties experienced in built by the Ye Old Drop Shop. Costumes operating two separate shows after the fire and special effects were designed by Tommy in May, 1979, which destroyed most of the Oberlettner and executed by Feather Brain show equipment. Costume Co The combined show's fall tour ran from Sept. 28th to Nov. 22nd. Acts were: Princess Pele. Page 34 December 15,1980

.—4^— ^^^^—^—_^_^__^^^^ camels, Rizzi, llamas, and Symanki's chimps; Aerial ballet featuring Edna and Anne on the CLYDE BROS. GARDEN JOHNSON webs, Kathy on ladder and Olinka, upside down walk; Intermission. BY ALLEN BABCOCK The second half included: David, rola bola, The Clyde Bros.-Carden-Johnson Circus piav Toto, sword balance, Dino, juggling; Clancy ed for the Shrine in Springfield, III., Nov. 21 and Carol, clown vocal; Bobby Gibbs, pon- 23rd. The weather wasn't bad for this time ies (6); M. Rizzi, ponies (6) and T. Navarro, of year. We had a fine rainy mist on Sunday ponies (6); The Cavanaughs, cradle; Tmo most of the day and duhng the teardown in Zoppe, lamp post; Miss Marki, doves; Miss the evening. Kathy, doves; Rolling Dan, featuring David We've had a dry summer and fall here, so we Connors; Clowns; Bobby Gibbs, elephants. need all the moisture we can get It might and Tmo and Ol'mka Zoppe on the high wire, have affected attendance since the crowd Cleo Plunkett was the ringmaster, Mike Pike, didn't seem as big as last year, but overall at was performance director, Paul Jackolina was tendance was good with three close to full band leader and Carol Sanchez was the show houses, two just 100 short and the other vocalist. two being three-quarters full. The program as presented featured: Book pitch; Mirror Ball; Bob Top and Edna, roller skaters; Joe Via, lion act; Kathy English, on trapeze, Mark Pilger, trapeze and Anne Pike, rings; Cuccillo, comedy trampoline; Bobby Gibbs and Yo Yo pitch; Bobby Gibbs, dogs; BOB EMER1CO, presented his clown magic Ed Steeples, bean (5); Dino, one finger stand; as part of a big show presented in Trader Clowns (Clancy and Maxo); Anna, Jems, the Vies in San Francisco early this month. It French trapeze; Olga, balance trapeze; Gibbs, was a private party for the holidays. Page 36 December 15,1980 AIRSTREAM OLD TIME VAUDEVILLE and The second tour this year for Sid Kellner's "Old Time Vaudeville" completed a success- HOLIDAY RAMBLER ful run last month in the Northern California area. Serving the RV needs of show folks Featured on the show were: Jerry Layne and for over 17 years Family, ventriloquist and MC; Nobel Curl, singer; Johnnie Romano, dancer of the 20'$ and 30'$ (age 95); Constance D'Gray, sopra- Over 100 used RV's to choose from no; Edward Jackson, juggler; John E, singer We take most anything in trade and comedian; Los Latinos, wire act and Morey Amsterdam, star of TV, films and stage. The placing of the act cards was han- Just 1 Vz miles north of the Sarasota dled by Sheri Forgey. Bradenton Airport on U. S. 41 The band consisted of six talented musicians directed by Perry Johnson. Conley Hall, the drummer and Tommy Fewless, trumpet, had KROTF been on the Kellner operated Great London THE QUALITY DISCOUNTER Circus, in 1975. We Deliver Anywhere in the U. S. Vergie Johnson and Barbara worked on the and Canada front door and sold program books. After the tour, Sid, Barbara and Sheri, along 6915-14th Street West with Herbie Weber and Marcella, and Perry Bradenton, Fla. - 33507 and Vergie Johnson got together Phone: 813-755- 1586 DECEMBER 14, 1980

love, Barbara, Nick, Don,Mel, Willoughby & Thorn

HAGENBECK-WALLACE, INC. SARASOTA, FLORIDA