^^^ —-^ -*•"> ^^^^^*^<w * s X^^^fcir-'N America's Favorite Circus Weekly" 4th Year March 17, 1975 Number 11 Storm Hits As Show Opens The George Matthews Circus made an impressive opening date at Foster City, Calif. (Mar. 5-11) despite a wind and rain storm that swept through the area. Local weather experts said it was the worst storm in 25 years. The show looked good, nestled in a residential district, with all equipment newly painted. The big orange and white top (120 with three 40's) was easy to spot from every direction and looks as if it were new. On the midway is a conces- sion wagon, refreshment tent,the Russell Bros. Side Show (with 12 SHOWS banners) and the ticket/office wagon. Admission prices for the big show are $2.50 for children, In compliance with a demand $3.00 for juniors and $4.00 for by patrons for extra shows, Cir- adults. The reserved seats, on cus Circus, of Las Vegas, has the front side, sell for $1.00 increased its entertainment pro- extra, with box seats at $2.00. grams from eight to 13 hours per day. The additional hours of en- The circus is using the tertainment are due to an in- same number of trucks and seat crease in traffic through the wagons as last year. They are casino/hotel, a high occupancy «arrving a.afec piece band and all rate and a demand for shows af- show personnel wear special cir- ter the regular dinner and din- cus jacket^. (See page 10) (Continued on Back Page) t • Paee 2 The Circus Report Circus Clown Cited Helps Parade In mid-January (Jan. 19) Many of the animals, per- an RBBB Blue Unit clown, James formers and clowns of RBBB's M. Shill, of Dayton, Ohio, was Blue Unit took time out from re- arrested at Venice (Fla.) and hearsals on Jan. 25th to parti- charged with destruction of city cipate in a parade at Venice,Fla property, disorderly conduct and The event marked the city's 50th resisting arrest. anniversary, and was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. It Police said that Shill was also saluted four local business being questioned by an officer firms that were also celebrating at 2:30 a.m. after they receiv- their 50th anniversary. ed a complaint from a man walk- ing along the street. When a se- Both Irvin and Kenneth cond officer arrived, Shill jum- Feld were named parade marshalls ped in front of his car, forcing and joined other dignitaries in it to an abrupt stop. reviewing the big parade. In ad- dition to the circus units, some The police charged Shill 60 other units, plus 15 major with disorderly conduct and then floats were featured. placed him in the patrol car. Enroute to the station he strug- Kenneth Feld told the lo- gled to escape. cal press that the circus was "happy to participate in the After being booked and 50th anniversary of Venice." placed in a cell, Shill set fire to his mattress and blankets, The event, he added, was with a match obtained from an- "also meaningful to Ringling Brs other prisoner. Firemen extin- and Barnum & Bailey Circus be- guished the blaze, but had to cause it also marks the 48th an- return shortly after when Shill niversary of the moving of the again set fire to the facilities circus* winter quarters to Flor- He was then handcuffed to the ida, and the celebration of our cell bars. 15th anniversary in Venice." The charges were said to THE CIRCUS REPORT is published bet $500 for resisting arrest, every week by Don Marcks, 525 $30 for disorderly conduct and Oak St., El Cerrito, Cal. 94530. $500 for destruction of city Subscription rates! $5.00 for 6 property. months, $10.00 per year. (Air The Sells Floto Circus of mail service $2.00 extra) 1923 carried a Wild West Show Advertising Ratest Minimum ad is with 7 cowboys, 2 cow girls and $2.50; Quarter Page $5.00; Half 2 Indians. Page $10.00; Full Page $20.00 March 17, 1975 Page 3 REALLY A GREAT SHOW There's really only one word that can be used to describe the Int'l All Star Circus and that's "superb." The show offers an excellent program and played here at College Park (Ga.) on March 2nd, with some fine work by Patti and Hines Rucker, and all of the other performers. Even the kids liked the show - especial- ly the ventriloquist. The circus was sponsored by the Jaycees who were obviously impressed with the quality and cleanliness of the Nordmark produc- tion. In fact a return engagement has been signed for 1976. The band - Ed Kennedy on trumpet; Benny Shorman on drums, and Fred Kitchin, with an electric accordion — really add a great deal to the program. Their numbers included:— Overature — Magic Act — No Business Like Show Busines< Theme from Exodus Be A Clown Arabian Coffee Greatest Show on Earth Craig Carlson - hand balancing - Fanfare French Horn solo "Adagio" Tonight We Love Craig Carlson - tumbling — My Hero Winter Sports Galop Pucker's Leopard Act — Patti*s Foot Juggling — Jungle O^ieen It's Alright With Me How High The Moon 2nd Half Overature — Look For a Star Ringling-Barnum Grand Entry Samba D'Orto Dog Act — El Cumancharo Aquarius Theme Let the Sun- Terry O'Brien — shine In Samba D'Orto Ventriloquist — Sweetest Sounds I Ever Heard Stop It Dear World I Love You, And Don't You Terry O'Brien's Unicycle act — Forget It So What's New Swing In The Baby Chimps — Riding High Thank Heaven for Little Girls Kids Clown Act — Abba Dabba Pomp and Circumstance Clown Number — I'd Climb Every Mountain Speed (Continued on Back Page) Page The Circus Report by ALLEN BABCOCK THIS YEAR*S Zohrak Grotto Circus, at Decatur (111.) was held on March 1-2 and was produc- ed by George Hubler, who really puts a good show together. In all some five performances were presented, with attendance amounting to a record crowd of 14,000 people. A special advance sale of tickets was held at reduced prices« $1.25 for children and $2.50 for adults, while a family ticket was available at $6.00. On show days the prices were set at $1.50 for children and $3.00 for adults| Mexico Trip During the local engage- The Frank Brown Int'l Cir- ment a surprise birthday party cus (at Mazatlan, Mexico) offer- was held for Paul Creason, who ed a warm welcome to the Carl worked concessions here. In ad- Helbings and Herb Neusers, last dition to the performers both month when the Phoenix CFA's George Hubler and Harry Mills vacationed in Mexico. were on hand for the occasion. They report it was an ex- Among those appearing in cellent show, with beautiful the circus program weret- costumes and acts. There were The Dubsky Family - risley, aero some outstanding clown numbers, bats, perch pole, chimps, writes Carl, especially the mid- dogs, clown fight, leopards get clown who also did the show Robin Kubea - cloud swing and a announcing. double trapeze with Peggy Mills Walter King - elephants/llamas RAY CHANDLER worked the Freddie Large Family - clowns LOUIS GOEBBEL animals in the TV Mimi Zerbini - trapeze commercial for the VW's Sirocco Kay Baldwin and Dianna Yoxall - car. aerial ballet feature The Great Huston - illusions MIKE and BARBARA RICE Norbu, Almost Human Gorilla (elephants) recently bought an Caddy and The Pro - acrobats CMC tractor and Fruehaf van for Gary Brunke - lions their animals. HISTORICAL FACT .... CHET SLUSSER and wife The 1922 Sparks Circus trav- spent several days with the Wal- eled on a train of 14 cars. lace & Clark Circus last week. March 17, 1975 Page 5 GREAT SHOW PROGRAM OFFERED The show presented here at Cleveland (Ohio) on Feb. 5-9, for the Al Sirat Grotto Circus, was a strong one, produced by Paul Kaye. One of the features of this year's program was the Russian clowns Krasavina and Fedin. Thf> show's staff included: Paul V. Kave, executive dir- ector; William N. Strong, performance director; Judy KIVP, production co-ordinator; Ernie McLean, ringmaster and announcer; Jack Cervone, musical director, and Gene Randow and Walter Stimax, producing clowns. Other clowns on the show included: Mildred Hall, Neil Kay, Chuck PAUL VAN POOL reports he's Sateja, Claude Schmidt been snowed in and unable to get David Schwinkendorf out of his house several times Paul Kave and David Strong. this winter. He helps keep Cir- The program featured:— cus Report supplied with show news and routes. Spec - Circus on Parade Darlene, Dolly, Donna, Linda GENE CHRISTIAN, agent for and Sar.dee - aerialists Royson Bros. Circus says he has Mile. Del Molina-- balance trapi not made any plans for 1975. He Pat Anthonv - wild animals would like to take time out and The Strong Duo - aerialists write a book. The Darsan Dolls - aerialists | CHARLES KOEHLER, owner of The Freddies, Geza Szabo and Dixiana Circus, reports some 40 The O'Donnells - juggling musicians attended the Windjam- The Pirates of the Sky mers meet at New Orleans (La) in Anderson's liberty stallions January. The Russian Clowns The Stephenson Family - dogs DO DO, the Clown and LA Arturo featued in aerial ballet MONT, the Magician, recently pro Uncle Heavy's Pork Chop Revue duced their first one hour pro- Ivan Henry - chimps duction (Feb. 7) with a good Johnson's bears crowd attending the Louisiana The O^iassars - space ship date. The Four Flying Ramos, with triple somersaulting Sergio Family, Les Thinis - aero The Kaye circus elephants Four Nerveless Nocks The Great Erik - high wire Grand Finale The Walters, The Canestrelli John Goodall, Jr.