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Miiiifi eiiHS fllljj

5th Year Ma> 2k, 1976 Number 21

Show Folds in TexasAn anticipated circus day at San Antonio (Texas) turned out

to be a disappointment for fans and show folks alike. In the midstof a steady rain Circus Galaxy folded in that .city on May 9th.

Early this year announcements about the circus indicated itwould rival the best shows on the road. Phone crews started theirSan Antonio promotion about two months ago. While they were vagueabout the show's name they were positive it was a "large tentedshow" with the best of everything.

CFA's who saw the circus at Victoria described it as "asmall show" with no show owned equipment. They called it strictly"a drum and organ show" with the Oscarian Family and some Mexicanperformers.

Six performances were scheduled for San Antonio, but priorto the first show, performers were told they (Continued on Page 16)

A VAILABLE fOP LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

HOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTSContact

JUDY JACOBSKAYESuit* 519 • 1680 North Vine Street • Hollywood, California • 90028

Area Code 213 • 462-6001

Page 2 The Circus Report

American Continental by MIKE SPORRER

The 1976 circus season got off to a big start with the arriv-al of the American Continental Circus at Seattle, Wash. The May 1-5engagement was sponsored by the Police Officers Guild, that organi-zation's llth annual circus presentation.

This year's Bicentennial edition is a colorful one and iswell presented. The center ring is new and all three are paintedred, white and blue. The two end ring mats are blue with a whitestar in the middle, while the center ring mat is solid red. Mostof the props are also red, white and blue.

The band, under the direc-tion of Herb Miller, presentscircus music as it should beheard. They do an outstanding jobbacking the show.

Before the show and duringintermission Bucky Steele offerselephant rides at $1.00 each. Theshow has a nice program book, al-so priced at $1.00.

The performance here at theSeattle Arena featured:-

Pre-show clown numbers - Ringmas-ter is John Miller

Salute to America - special specEloise Berchtold - mixed animalsMiss Myoshy Amotte - hair hangThe Willettys - rola bola/juggl'gSaudi & Co. - balancing diceDick Marko - rola bolaRainbow Rhapsody - aerial balletMiss Myna Moon - single trapezeClowns - The CarpentersAmazing Alain - sowrd balanceJoe Lemke's chimps (3)The Burketts - rolling globesMiss Mimi - single trapezeThe Gasptirys - table comedyLos Sanchos - trampolineSuarez Troupe - iiding act— Intermission —

SIGNED FOR 77Producer Sam T. Polack has

re-signed the Little Rock (Ark)Shrine for '77, and arrangementsare being made for other repeats.Toledo, for Zenobia Shrine Templedrew capacity crowds for 9 showsin four days (May 5-8) at theSports Arena.

The show program remainedalmost unchanged from Columbia,except that The Apollos and KockaPolids Troupe were added. Band-leader Wm. Browning and announcerJim Douglass, returned after aweek at Lincoln for M&M.

Alec Sebastyen - trained dogsLes Blocks - high wireKen Wilier - one finger standThe Flying Ibarras - trapezeDick Franko - jugglingLottie Brunn - jugglingYa Ya Awada - jugglingClowns - The WeddingBarbara Tata - elephants (3)Bucky Steele - elephants (2)Eloise Berchtold - elephants (3)Finale - all performers

May 24, 1976 Page 3

Show ActsThe Castle Int'l Circus per-

formances at Saskatoon (Canada)featured:-

Overture - C. E. Toca - directorJoe Hartman - African lionsClowns - The Cat and The MouseDeborah, Sarah, Wendy, Chellow -

the Spanish webElizabeth - hair hangMiss Karen - Golden MoonThe Bisbini's - unsup. laddersRito Bros. - trampolineSarazochil - sword balanceThe Circus ClownsMarhal's Camels and LlamasMilonga's liberty horsesThe Robertos - flex poleThe Aguilars and Martinez Trio -

perch pole actsThe NavarrosLes Fantasias - revolving ladderAnita Vargas— Intermission —

Miss Doris - rolling globesTiro Bros. - juggling

SHOW TALENTI'he Coiiiviiiis Uuagic), of

Colon, Mich., are touring withthe Philip Morris show "Spirit of76". In addition to Jerry andShirley Conk 1 in, the company in-cludes: daughter Cindv; Mike lobeand Paula Wilson, pi'..- Tom Lyons

Lalos - rola bolaThe circus clownsCline's circus elephantsBucko, the MuleThe Tabaks - revolving perchRachel - cloud swingThe Galambos - cradle actThe Vickinas - risley/acrobaticsKarl's French PoodlesThe ciicus clownsPablo Rodriguez Troupe - hor.ban

The staff included:Al Dawley - ringmasterPablo Martinez - prop supt.Prof. C. E. Toca - musical dir.David E. Burch - electricianGene Randow - producing clownRobert Dunham - eques. Dir/mgr

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ROUTESBeatty-Cole Circus

to May 31 Philadelphia, Pa.Berosini's CircusMay 25 Lafayette, Ga.

27 Calhoun28-31 Chattanooga, Term

Carson & Barnes CircusMav 24 Johnson City,Tenn

25 Morristown26 Crossville27 Cookeville28 Sparta

29-30 Oak RidgeHubert Castle Circus

May 25-26 Lethbridge, Alta27 Medicine Hat

28-29 Red DeerCircus KingdomMay 25 Elgin, 111.

26 Chicago27 Colon, Mich.28 Haslett29 Owosso30 Pinckney

Circus KirkMay 25 Bartonsville, Md

26 Annandale, Va.27 Woodbridge28 Alexandria29 Falls Church30 Chevy Chase

Circus VargasMay 25-26 Corona, Calif

27-31 San Diego

Clyde Bros. - Blue UnitMay 25-26 Brantford, Ont.

27 Catherine30 Windsor

Clyde Bros. - Red UnitMay 24 Dallas, Texas

25 Fort WorthEuroporamaMay 24 Port Angeles,Wh.

25 Bremerton26 Coeur d'Alene,Id28 Moscow29 Lewiston

Franzen Bros. CircusMay 28 Washburn, 111.

Garden Bros. CircusMay 24-26 Morristown, NJ

27-30 West OrangeHamid-Morton Circus

May 28-31 Elmira, N .Y.Happytime CircusMay 26-31 Vacaville, Cal.

Holiday HippodromeMay 24 Fort Dodge, Iowa

25 Des Moines26 Ottumwa27 Marshaltown28 Muscatine29 Peoria30 Rock Falls

Hoxie Bros. CircusMay 24 Gibson City, 111

25 Pontiac26 Ottawa27 Genoa29 Romeoville

Hoxie*s Great AmericanMay 24 Penns Grove, NJ

25 Pittsgrove Twnp26 National Park27 McKee City28 Blackwood29 Magnolia30 McGuire AFB

Kaye Cont'l CircusMay 28-29 Jackson, Miss.

King Bros. CircusMay 24 Brandon, Miss.

25 Canton26 Grenada27 Oxford28 Tupelo29 Cornith30 Adamsville, Tenn

Lewis Bros. CircusMay 24 Monroeville.Ala

25 Gilbertown26 Silas

Mexico Int ' l Circusto May 30 Los Ang, Cal.

Mid-America CircusMay 24 Muscatine, Iowa

30 Decatur, 111.Moose Lodge Circus

May 23 Boise, IdahoPolack Bros. Circus

May 29 Fairfield, Cal.Ringling-Barnum - Blue Unit

to May 31 New York, N . Y .(More Routes on other pages)

n

•xre

°

Page 5

BILLY BARTONTHE BAROMETER FOR 1977 PREDICTS a dramatic re shuffling of routes and dates, with

the older shows losing out to the newer ones coming up The reason? Complacency. The climate ofcompetition demands constant vigilance, constant improvement It's harder to STAY on top thanit is to get there!

A phone interview with master elephant trainer MAC MacDONALD informs me that his newelephant act is booked at Lion Country in Atlanta for the summer. TOM and POM POM will pre-sent the act Due to late mail and columns being written weeks in advance the following tidbit istardy BUT WALLY ROSS is still floating on Cloud 9 after assisting voluptuous CHARO on andoff the lead spec elephant when Circus Vargas played Burbank (Calif.).

MORGAN and JACKIE ASHTON touring with Stebbings, ditto daughter GOLDA and her hus-band ROBERT MELUZZI. Jr REX WILLIAMS at Myrtle Beach with an elephant ride for theseason FELLER BOYS and DO DO's wire rigging snapped at its anchor in Columbia (SO. Luck-ily they were not on it at the time The MANUEL NAVARROS bought a home in Sarasota.

Understand that "friendly" poker games may be outlawed at Showfolks...NOW...if I couldonly print the reasons why' Hint: "rough and tumble" action straight out of the film classicDESTRY"

PAUL PUGH, not only the director of the Wenatchee Youth Circus, but its bandleaderComposer BARBARA TAGGART has written a lengthy composition, PAN AMERICAN FAN-TASY, now being arranged for smyphony orchestra. DON FRANCISCO are you paying attention?

HERRIOTT FAMILY really leap-frogging this year" Thus far they've hit Venezuela. Kellner,Hubler, Zacchini before I gave up tracking them! TERESA (Morales) MATCHETT is withHoxie's Great American Circus. Remember her heel-and-toe trap act? One of the greatest!

TIFFANYS (Charles and Susan) no longer with TONY STEELE...Tony had WALTERPATTERSON (catching) and the great FAY ALEXANDER (leaping) in his act recently WALTKING and his crew are toting around parts for his classic vintage Rolls, being restored to its ori-ginal platinum finish. When the fine wood panelling is reworked and the leather interior completed,the car's value will be in excess of 540,000.

The DANNY CAREYS (hand balancing) were left homeless during the Lincoln run when theirtrailer, due to faulty wiring, caught fire, burned to the ground IONE STEVENS and DONNYMAC INTOSH (Is THERE a WILDER couple?) hardly found time to run the concessions on M&M,they were so busy dishing it up in the backyard! OSCAR CRISTIANI says NOBODY has boughthis elephants and he has NO immediate plans to-sell them JACK NORMAN suffering from aninfected foot SUE and AL DAWLEY, now with Castle, visited Garden-Johnson enroute, reportthe BAR RADA Bros., between them, work - are you ready • lions, bears, chimps, camels and Josedoes a knock-out high wire act! PHIL & FRANCINE and BABY DONDI played a string of one-nighters with EMMETT KELLY Circus, ditto TONY & IRENE FOSSETT.

JOHNNY ZOPPE, Jr. reports seeing COOKIE ARTURO and PIO NOCK at the PAUL KELLYfarm in Indiana HARIETT BEATTY will play the Columbus (Ohio) circus-fair date for PEGGYKALTENBACH C EORGE DaDEPPO v.sited the Toledo date where BOBBY & ROSIEHARRISON reside, 'lobby was prop boss on Polack Eastern for YEARS, is now on the SportsArena Staff at Toledo BLINKO & MARAN currently at the Garden Johnson bash in L.AGRIMALDIS were ii Atlanta AURELIO BOGINO hospitalized in early May LARRY RUHLvisiting his Muskegor (Mich.) home MISS APRIL (sway pole) to Canadian datesANDERSON'S WHT E HORSE TROUPE touring their own show in Texas.

(Continued on Page 12)

Page 6

a new top | FLASHThe Circus Report

The new hip, top acquired byMid-America Circus was set up forthe first time at Ardmore, Okla.(Apr. 29). It is a very colorfultop and looks real good on thecircus lot.

The tent is an 80 ft with a40 ft middle. It is blue and yel-low, while the sidewall is redand yellow. The new marquee isalso blue and yellow, and the newbackdoor curtain is red with blueand yellow stars.

The show's midway inc;udes aCandy wagon, Snake show and Moon-walk.

(For a run-down of the cur-rent program see CR for May 10th)

, Clark McDermott

fttfl ournThe Pan American Circus has

received 8 light towers from Car-los Farfan, and three additionalweeks have been added to the tour

Don Stambaugh and Billy Fordare home after a busy clowningromp in Eastern Shopping Malls.

Pat Bissonette, was a guestclown with thi- Royal HannefordCircus, recently.

Clown Chuck Sateja and hisRand McNally map are off on theroad again for Jimmy Douglass.

Gina Medro will not be withher father and brothers this sea-S0n* Mike Naughton

Generally reliable sourcesreport the Canadian government iswith-holding 152 of salaries re-ceived in that country for taxpurposes.

It is possible to obtain arefund, but acts must file a taxreturn in Canada to become elig-able for such a i-tund.

MiscellaneousCircus fans at Terre Haute

(Ind) are planning to provide acorn bread and bean dinner forHoxie Bros. Circus on June 5th.

Vicky Stebbmg, her daughter and two week oldson, joined the Stebbmg Family Circus at Monroe(Lai and needless to say the ev«nt made grandparentsLilly and Francis very happy

Word that Showtime USA has folded leaves azillion questions unanswered, as acts were left withoutfunds and what appeared to be a big operation col-lapsed. This reporter has folks interested in the equip-ment and dates rf anyone can provide information on>hp <hovi I W'" It" sppr»ri8t»d

This has been a busy circus year for Louisiana withsuch shows as Fisher Bros.,Mid America. ShowtimeUSA. Dailey Bros..Dixie Bros..Eddie Zacch -n.Paul KayeClyde Bros., Stebbmg Royal European. King Bros, andGeorge Matthews all playing the state

RclAj't- '»U i_<ii« ln» A • • i i . 4 V nshave been sold on having tw ' *' O..etobem the spring, the other in thi- fall. Shnners inNorthern Louisiana are grumbling'

Do Do. the Clown, has a full schedule this year andand has been working malls, zoo, downtown pro-motions, shows and special "vents. This has reaultedin a turn down of some offers.

-M. L. Dupont

Letterheads, envelopes, businesscards, brochures, etc. Designedjust for you. Write! Beverly Al-len, P.O. Box 91, Pixley, Calif.,932%. Phone (209) 757-3501.

May 2k, 1976 Pap.p 7

OLEG POl'UV, lamed RussidiiCircus Clown, was pictured by APat New York's Lincoln Center justthis past week.

JIM DANDY, unicyclist, waswith the Happytime Circus for itsdate at Terra Linda, Calif.

JON FRIDAY recently announ-ced several shows for PattersonBros, in Michigan and will jointhe Hanneford Family Circus atStoryland USA Park, near LakeGeorge, N.Y. for the summer.

FRANK and BERNICE DEAN havebeen visiting shows in SouthernCalifornia before starting thesummer tour with Happytime Circus

llo*:.;, appi/ai iiif, with theClyde Bros. Circus during its re-cent Milwaukee and St. Paul dateswere: Steve Baker, Gary Ray, BradWard, Blinko and Maran, John Ma-son, Chester and Joe Sherman andAbie Goldstein.

CHAPPIE FOX has been namedDirector of Research and ProgramDevelopment for RBBB with head-quarters at the show's office inWashington, DC.

RAYMOND DUKE, producingclown on Fisher Bros., has an al-ley that includes Billy Loder,Mike Gasca and Ray's 7 year oldgrandson, who also works in thetrampoline number.

COL. BILL WANTS ACTS

ted

ONLY PROFESSIONAL FULL TIME PERFORMERS CONSIDERED

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Page The Circus Report

In Memoriam

LAURA MAE ANDERSON (82), wi-dow of the late Fred "Bud" Ander-son, died April 2nd at Emporia,Kans. She and her husband operat-ed truck shows, starting in the1930's. She continued to operatetheir show after Bud's death, un-til she retired in 1954. Surviv-ors include ha~ son, Norman, twograndchildren, four brothers anda sister. —

IRVIN FELD, RBBB President,was recently honored by the Flor-ida Society of the Sons of theAmerican Revolution, in recogni-tion of the circus' contributionto America's Bicentennial.

The RUSS SAUNDERS TRIO re-cently worked for the Boys Chris-tian League at Arcadia, Calif.

KENT GHIRARD and his "Alo-haland Pony Circus" was featuredin the latest White T .ip.azine

Show ReportThe loss of about $50,000 in

equipment occured at Cedartown(Ga.) on Apr. 30 when the LewisBros, light plant truck brurnedto the ground. The truck carriedtwo diesel units, electricalcables and lights.

A backfire ignited the gastank which exploded and engulfedthe truck in flames. A cage unit,being towed by the truck was un-damaged .

Firemen from Cedartown refu-sed to touch the truck because itwas outside the city limits. TheCounty units arrived shortly af-terwards, but it was too late.

The loss conM have beeneliminated, says Lewis, had theCedartown Fire Dept. hurried tothe call. "1 would have been hap-py to pay them for their servicesif they had just really tried tosay the truck."

PRINTING

lOMPLtTT LINF. of CIRCUS-CARNIVAL

SHOW PRINTADV. SALE TICKETS-DISCOUNT COUPONS-PROGRAMS

ENVELOPES-LETTER HEADS-OFFICE NEEDS

Our Art Dc/jt. will put Your Thoughts on Paper

Price Quoted on Request 257r with Orders Bui. C.O.D.

CHARLES R. MASONS,ili'S M.iridgt-r

(40 Y E A R S CIRCUS C A R N I V A L - O W N E R AGENT-PROMOTER)

Phone < 4 < ) X | 262-54.14

27 WI.NSOR ST.. MILI'ITAS. CAUIOKNIA 95035

May 24, 1976 Page 9

H-MSHOWAfter seeing the Hamid Morton Circus at Cherry

Hill (NJ) May 7-9. I just have to say tt is the bestcircus for its size anywhere The ^OA wa< <.non<o"-dby the Cherry Hill Fife Co . and drew good crowds forevery performance.

All rigging and costumes were brand new and theyhave the latest in "motorized" aerial rigging over thecenter ring. It goes up and down and folds away easilyand is an excellent idea.

The program included: Bill Golden. 13 tigers, 1lion; clowns, ladder rock; Llerta Cuneo. white tigerand elephant; Mile. Yvette. loop-the-loop: Conga,gorilla parody; La Mafalda. sword balance; Miss WandaWard, aerialist; the baby elephants; Clowns, TheDentist; Atos Troupe. Teeterboard; The Pirates ofthe Sky; The Flying Valentines; Klauser's Bears;Clowns, Hair Problems; Msr. Raymond, slack wire;the Hamid-Morton elephants and the Hallelujah Finale.

— Frank Hoopes

Mich. RunThe First-of-May found Voorheis Bros. Indoor

Circus nearmg the end of its annual Spring Tour, play-in), to two full houses in the Belleville (Mich) highschool gym.

The performance was a well rounded one withaerial, ground and animal acts, and featured: Peanuts,the clown, come-in; Rolandos, juggling; Harry Tod.dogs. Peanuts, balancing; The R»"v< trapeze; Peanuts,magic; Irv Lang, chimps; Millf Bros., cradle; MarcelliMarcelhs, wire; Daniels, comedy luggimg; Peanuts,balloons and Targa, gorilla act.

-George Da Deppo

Sfchool ProgramNed Lockt , announcer for the

Bozo TV Show, of Chicago, produc-ed a school piogram at LincolnWay High School, New Lenox, 111.,on April 10th. Included in theline-up were: Apollos; Baby Don-di, The Wainwrights, Martin Lam-berty, Jr. Ned Locke and Cooky, aTV clown, did special numbersthroughout the program.

....BB

ANGELA WILNOW and her col-lies, toruing vith Holiday Hippo-drome, are in zheir second yearon that show.

On or Off?Several major dates in Loui-

siana have been shuffled and re-shuffled by RBBB as they attemptto work out a suitable plan forcoverage of the state.

Originally scheduled to playthe Super Dome at New Orleansthose plans were cancelled in fa-vor of Monroe (June 25-27) andLake Charles (June 29-30). Later,after window cards and flyers hadbeen prepared, the above twocities were cancelled out, with areport the show would play theSuper Dome on June 25-30.

Problems over percentages,concessions and security at theDome caused the first switch, in-formants report. Now, apparentlythose problems have been workedout to everyone's satisfaction.

M. L. Dupont

Thank you Eugene Jurewiczfor your circus photo order

CIRCUS PHOTOSCUSTOM COLCR CIRCUS PHOTOS

Scenics, Stop-Action PerformanceShots, Lot Views, Equipment,

Band Photos. All in Full-Color.

Send $1.00 for a beautiful 5"x7"sample, plus detailed listing.

JAMES D. KALIVODACFA - CHS - CMB - WU

1509 South Clinton AvenueBerwyn, Illinois 60402

Page 10 Tin.- Circus Report May 24, 1976

SALUTE TO AME

COSTUMES

HAND PROPS

A COMPLETEBICENTENNIALSPECTACULAR

Some Availabilityin 1976

CIRCUS CREATIONS by. . •»<»"•» t̂:1.*JIM DOUGLASS

316 Michigan Avenue - Daytona Beach, Florida - 32014Phone: (904) 767-3928

Can he seen at: Mt. Clemens, Mich.June 5-6

Page 11

RICA

FLOATS

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Wheaton, 111.June 23-27

.

Page 12 The Circus Report

Flying AgainFor its recent Monroe (La.)

engagement the Olympic Int'l Cir-cus had booked the Flying Steelesbut when show time arrived onlyone member of the troupe was onhand. Fortunately, there was aflying rigging ready, but stillEddie Zacchini was in a bind.

After a quick conference itwas agreed that Fay Alexander,Walter Patterson and Eddie Foywould put an act together. Pat-terson would be the catcher, hisdaughter Lorelei, would style,

KAREN LATHROP is breaking allama act for the Lewis Bros.Circus program.

HAROLD BARNES will providethe tent for Sam Polack's June23-27 date at Wheaton, 111.

with Fay doing simple tricks.

They worked well togetherand everyone was pleased with theact. Only two tricks were missedduring the three shows.

M. L. Dupont

BILLY BARTON (Continued)JOHNNY ZOPPE, Jr. purchased 18 rockets (surplus) from Uncle Sam, has them warehoused in

Dallas, will utilize them in a BIG production next season. Reports one of his Space Ships collidedwith an electric cable opening night at Nashville which was shredded by the propeller blade. ALLremote control to the ground was dead. They landed with the prop frozen at full throttle. "Wecould have been badly hurt to say the least," Johnny told me...AND...during a Shrine clown num-ber a shot gun blast hit and burned the Flying Lar-Ray's net.

T'is rumored that LION COUNTRY in L.A. has abandoned plans for a summer circus • eco-nomic reasons, I heard The Juggling VILLAMS have rhinestoned their juggling clubs - dazzling!

EMIL GOETCHI, Jr. (DeMille) subbed for Kenny in the JERICHO LEAPS who was out due toa sprained ankle JIMMY FOSSETT purchased a new GIRL IN THE MOON aerial apparatusfrom England which his wife is performing on Lovely letter from HELEN WALLENDA says:"You wouldn't know me now with all the gray hair Karl gives me doing those stunts! He's onlyhappy when his feet are on the wire." Helen, we all love what we do best!

Are Faces RED: JIM DOUGLASS, who prides himself r-n NOT •"» M,: ,'• . . ,m>"i...-f,pulled a real boner in Lincoln when he announced MISS Grace Macintosh and MR Charles Marinein reverse order and gender! Oh well, Jim, think nothing oi '.'o h- \> wt \ ^MK.. i> imtiny withRoyal Hanneford, touted their 1976 show as the ALL NEW, 1967 EDITION'

See you down the road, luvs.

"The Bale Family"ELVIN BALE and JEANETTE WILLIAMS

The Worlds Most Fabulous Thrilling Acts With KHBB Circus

Col. E.T. Bale's Continental HorsesAt RBBB Circus World - Haines City, Fla.

May 24, 1976 ' Pago 13

The program as presented bythe Kaye Cont'l Circus at Shreve-port (La.) on May 7-9 included:Jack Cervone, bandleader; Spec,Circus on Parade; Ramon, balancetrapeze; Roberto, cloud swing;Raul, loop; Baron Von Uhl, wildanimals; Jupiter Trio, tripletrapeze; Ron Perry, Randy & Syl-via and Paulette Braunn, jugglingKaye's elephants; Oecar's ele-phants; Arturo, heel-and-toetrapeze; Miss Lena's Pets; Katin-ka's Kanines; The Cold Nose Five;Feller Boys and Do Do, wire; TheLeighs, space wheel; The Flying

Ramos; Baby Dolly, elephant; Anta-le's chimps; Miss Peggy's Pets;Gene Mendez, high wire; Les Thin-is, The Hernandez Troupe, Les Mitzis, trampoline; Nock Bros, swaypoles; Bicentennial Finale.

The clowns were: Mike Kluck-er, Dukey Anderson, June Dews-bury, Koko, Jimbo.

During the engagement a spe-cial hospital show was presentedfeaturing: Ron Perry, juggler;Cold Nose Five, dog act; Les Thi-nis, trampoline; Antalek's chimpsJacob's elephants and several ofthe clown numbers.

KELLY TOURThe Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus

played a series of one dayersstarting April 19th at Reading(Mass), closing April 25 at Cum-berland (Md). Reports indicatethe show uses a flashy backdrop,with entrance curtain and a ligh-ted runway extending from onering.

Appearing on the dates were:Satani Demon, Ashton Family, Mic-key Antalek's chimps, Tongo, TonyFossett, Apollos, Baby Dondi,Cimse's dogs, plus an illusionact and rola bola number.

Of note is the clever comedyof J. P. Thercn who introduces a"comedy tank" and does a parodyon Gen. Pattoi. Featured, ofcourse, is Emn.ett Kelly, Jr.

.... BB

So.Cal . DateThe Bicentennial presentation of Yerke's Aerial

Thrill and Stunt Show, presented in SouthernCalifornia on May 8th. was sponsored by the HiDesert Threatre of Performing Arts.

The program, with Parley Baer, annoum »rfeatured: Thrills from "Towering Inferno' and MissAstra (dive); An aenal display of single trape/e num-bers; The Lindens, plate spinners; Clown number;Buff Brady, rope spinning; Wild West stunt men;Buff Brady. Blue Rhinehart and Bonnie Williams,trick balancing; Aerialovehes. web display; The FlyingArtons; the clowns; "Planet of the Apes" with Ziraand Cornelius, and Daryl, trampoline number.

— Frank Dean

Thank YouJOHNNY WALKER, JR.

Hoxie Brothers Big Topfor your new Chevrolet pick-uptruck and trailer purchase.

"SA VE MONEY Wl TH JOHNNY"

JOHNNY CANOLE/100 Si>lh Avenue

465 N E 10?nd.Street Altoona. Pa 16602Miami Shores. Fia 33138 (814)944934713051/010206 or<J4J0003

Page

Maine DatesThe concept of the onp r"ig circus is almost um- ,

versally admirea, but one of the few areas of our busi-ness where it is paid more than lip service is the run ofShrnic dates in Mame, produced by Wayne McCary,and familiarly know" as "The Maine Dates"

Playing armories and auditoriums, the show open,ed for Kora Temple with two days at the AugustaCivic Center, April 16-17, moved to Portland April 19-21. then played Lewiston. April 23-24. Jumping upnorth for Ana Temple the show made a four day runat the Caribou. Maine Armory April 29 May 2. andwound up the tour at the Bangoi Auditorium,May 7-9.

Despite the obvious problems inherent in a onering format, the two hour program ran smoothly withno stalls or stage-waits, thank , to careful pre-planningby the producer and the efforts of Ray Tayler's alertyoung prop crew. One of the chief factors m theshow's strength was the music of Fred Petra's fivepiece band, al superb musicians, most of whom playtwo or more instruments as needed. Where else canyou hear two flugle horns harmonizing counter melodies in a circus band7

The show's appearance was enhanced this year bythe purchase of new extra lighting and the additionof sparkling green carpet framing the ring.

The announcer was Charley Van Busk irk. and theconcession department was very capably run by Mrs.Diana Bedwell.PROGRAM

Overature-Patriotic Medley-Fred Petra & ShrineCircus Band

National AnthemSpec-Circus Salute to the Spirit of '76Webs-Susan & Sonja ZoppeAlbert & Jeanette Rix with 10 mixed bears-

steel arenaSingle Trapeze- The Satin Doll, Miss Carol

(Wamwright)Al Vibel's Liberty PoniesJuggling AlmirosClown Safe Gag-Producing clown Frank Hannon

(Hopol. with Glen Butler (Fhppol, DonBridwell (Whizzer), Shane Wamwnght(Pmochio), & Dick Hurtabise (Little Casper)

Gutis Family-Jungle Parody ComedyPrincess Sonja (Zoppe) and her Indian Aerial

FantasyINTF "VISION

Trampoline- The WamwnghtsComedy Platespmning-Rosita & Alberto (Almiro)

The Cirrus Report

Youth CircueThe 1976 edition of the Hil

ler Old Tyme Circus sparkled withBi-centennial glitter. ProducerBob Eller's troupe of 37 ministars, ranging in age from 7 to14, gave an amazingly profession-al performance which was a tri-bute to American youth.

The five performances werewell patronized and were present-ed in the Lampher High School Gytrat Madison Heights, Mich.

The program included: Open-ing Tournament "Spirit of 76";Mini-tramp; Unicycles; Rollingglobe; Teeterboard; Singe trapeze(5 girls); Clowns; Juggling andBalance; Illusionist; Acrobats;Juggling torches; Spanish web (3)girls; Hand balancing; Clowns;Three high; Tumbling (entire showgroup); Risley; Double Trapeze(5 groups); Clowns; rola bola (3)Tight wire; swinging ladders (9)and the special Finale.

George Da Deppo

MODEL CIRCUS WAGONS BUILT: Kits,scratch, repairs, running gear,S.A.E. for full particulars.ArtSpellnian, Cross Creek Apt. B-611500 No. Congress Avt>., WestPalm Beach, Fla. 33401.

Johnny Zoppe Rhesus Monkey RevueClown Laundry Gag-Hopo & Whi/7 rVidbel Elephantsr.jf Wai.e"Ud & me Oieat Wa> fida>The Rix Bears are favorites on these dates, and in

the two years since their last appearance here havejazzed-up the act with new music, some new bears,props in a mod color scheme, and a mirror ball.

The Vidbels' baby elephant. Dandelion, is stilldiminutive enough to retain tremendous appeal, but

' has been with the act long enough now to performlike a seasoned trouper.

Princess Sonja (Zoppe aerial spectacular ends thef.rst half of the show on a ' g' • ote, while Karl andthe Wallendas live up to the magic of their name toprovide the show with a r.eally powerful closing.

This same basic show, with the single-ring formatwill also be a featured attraction of the Bicentennial

'Edition of the Eastern States Exposition at WestSpringfield. Mass.. September 16-19

-Charley Van Buskirk

May 2k, 1976 Page 15

Circus Suarez by Alberto Rubio

Circo Hnos. Suarez performed at Tepic, Mexico, Feb. 14-18. Thiscircus is one of the larger traveling shows of Mexico. It was foun-ded in 1872 at Guadalajara, Mexico. Since then its route has takenit throughout Central and South America and Mexico, and many of itsfamilies have performed in the U.S. Currently all the sons of showmanager, Sr. Crispin Suarez, are presenting a flying act for a cir-cus touring in Brazil.

The show's big truck lorriesare very brightly painted and theshow's two large tents (big topand menagerie/side show) are ingood condition. Circus Suarez iscarrying several animals ( 5 ele-phants, 2 camels, 1 hippo, 3 per-cheron horses, 3 chimps, 3 lions,3 tigers and several small animals

The big top has two rings,but they use one ring most of thetime. Following is the program:Spec, parade of animals and per-formers; Clowns, Palmatoria andCascarita (from Chile) in a lad-der gag; Raul Suarez, 2 camels

and a pony; Diana King, mind rea-der; Clowns, Batman and Robin;Raul Suarez and baby elephant"Jimmy"; Clowns, musical number;Monica, single trapeze; Los Van-del Troupe of Flyers; Clown mono-log of jokes; Ray Grant, magic;Alexander Duo's Space Odyssey(itis spec, with beautiful props andlighting, etc.

After intermission came LosAstros Flyers; Clown poems; TheMarletti Duo, double trapeze;Emanuel Polanco and his chimps;Gualberto Rios, slide for life;Christi Macklein and elephants(5) with Raul Suarez and then theFinale big spec of all performers.

show dayTwo SRO houses greeted the

Clyde Bros.-Garden-Johnson ShrineInt'l Circus at Menominee (Mich)on May 7th, the first stop ontheir six city swing through theUpper Penninsula of Michigan. Theseating capacity at the highschool gym is 3800 and both per-formances had youngsters sittingon mats.

The progrim ran 2\ hours andwas wel.l received. Show's band,

organ and drums, was directed byMike Morgan, and Andrew Kirby wasthe ringmaster.

The show's program included aHistorical spec; Lou Regan's sev-en tigers; Maya and Robert, swordbalancing; Cucciolo, trampoline;4 llamas and 3 ponies (2 rings);Clowns; rola bola; Clowns; Prin-cess Kayleah, doves; Maya, singletrapeze; Scott's Unridable Mule;Kirby's Chimps; Eddie 6. Eddie;Acrobatics; Clowns; Vivian's Box-er Dogs; Zerbini Bros., teeter-board; elephants (3); Finale.

Bill King

Page 16 The Circus Report

Clown College"The Midwest Clown College"

now in its third year in the me-tropolitan Chicago area, was started in 1974. Today the college istaught on two Chicago campusesand one in Palos Hills.

The clown courses run fromeither to ten weeks and are con-stantly taught. The courses in-clude t lectures, demonstrations,films and actual work on make-up,techniques, props, clown suits,live shows and related subjects.

The school, headed by "Cos-mo" (C. E. Spielman), includesFelix, the Cop Clown (R. J. Spielman), plus numerous speakers, Tento 15 students attend each of thetwo hour classes during the week.

Fourteen students will begraduating from the "Clownology"course on a Chicago campus on May27th. The occasion will mark aspecial program featuring each

(ConLiruifd CHI I'ap.f 1 ~)

CIRCUS FOLDS (Continued)could not be paid for dates atLaredo, Alice, Kingsville andVictoria. Whatever the reason,says Rod Stinson, of the San An-tonio Express, the matter will ncdoubt go into the courts. On May13th, Rod devoted his entirecolumn to the circus story.

Rod reports the circus folksconsisted of eight couples, twosingle men, several children andthree elephants. A local investi-gator, Bob Lucas, he says, wastrying to help them and securesome paid dates for them.

San Antonio TV, radio andnewspapers told how the circushad folded, leaving the actsstranded. At least one TV reportincluded a story about the showpromoter who is being sought bylocal authorities. News reportsalso indicated some $15,000 fromadvance ticket sale was missing.

(Hnimcil CostufYicrs•> Everything from Gorilla Suits. Clown Shoes

to Miniature Cars.Philip Morris

' *•',' A

&$35? ESS COSTUMES> , f t . /̂ ^ O I I « I I I *J I 1 t , • « U t K > l \^ ( I I 1 f I I • I 1 I A. V * A. V «̂ • -. j ^

SEND S? 00 FOR A COMPLETE CATALOG.

May 24, 1976 Page 17HOXIE BROS. IN REVIEWBy Billy Barton

Circleville. Ohio. May 9 Set up on a grassy lot undefsunny skies, the Hoxie Circus generated a true "oldtime" circus nostalgia that explains why the charm ofthe Big Top will never completely be replaced by super-structured arenas.

The blue and white striped round top. now m itssecond year, is in first class shape and for sight lines andaudience enjoyment this "theatre-m-the-round" stylecan't be beaten. Gone are the antiquated "chandelierlights" on the center poles. Quart; ring lights and light-banks suspended between the first set of quarter no'-'concentrate on the track and in the one ring

A flying act frame, from which all nggmgs hang,spans the ring with the high wire crossing under it Thewalking wire is attached and dismantled during the performance. the platform poles held secure by safety lines.The cage, as it is struck, is loaded on a large dolly,wheeled out of sight, and the stage, used for the bikeact, is set quickly m interlocking sections, just as quickly taken up Thus the performance moves with speed,pushed along by Ron Dyer's prop crew and further propelled by Phil Chandler's on-the-button announcementsand quick banter with Tom Sink's clown specialties andGary Henry's comedy pony turn.

If the innumerable "commercial?" during the showare jarring, and they are, at least Chandler delivers themwith dispatch and. as Hoxie Tucker says. "They helpn«> »h(> r»»nt" J'lei yOti a* '• .VQ'M' A *K *' *'

Seating remains the same, running almost full circle,accommodating 3000-all stringers, no reserves, any seata good one. Back door curtains, attached to the mountedbandstand. <"'• 'eO. w » > - l - <tnu o .•• icmmeu .M'\The band is strong and Charles Schlarbaum has set lively"up" tunes for the bulk of the program. Handling theband is drummer Joe Eddy, backed up by Rick Percy,trumpet; Fred Kitchen, cordovox. and Rick Percy, sax.They play a concert before the show begins.

Show kicks off with a Bicentennial spec, well cos-tumed, with red. white and blue blankets on the threelarge lead bulls, is followed by a new cage act workedenergetically by 18 year old Michael Cecere which in-cludes 6 young lions and features a roll over and fire-jump cat.

Joeann Henry again enlivens the program with herexcellent Roman Riding, entering this year astride threeCorses • a flashy act, effective on the circular hippo-drome track galloping at top speed

A new feature, the Corte? High W're Family, open',with standard routines, moves on to .1 i>y j •mU'osrrwith the girl on a chair earned across by two male parttiers At one point the girl. Jenny, is the understands,(unusual of itself) the front half of a carrying team sup-nortmg a male member who does a roll-Over on ashoulder bai A fourth Corte?. Werner, attempts someweak comedy, further diluted by "fluttery" movementsthp act would be better off without especially m that•nost of the troupe returns as the Flying Columbiansand the same lad does comedy a second t mn tostronger results

Also new are Bradd a id Sheila Frank who presenttwo dressage horses on the track and m the ring andclose with a third horse doing a lavade, capnolle, and

J J M NOHDMARK, of the Int ' lAll Star Circus, was v i s i t ingfriends in Cal i fornia last week.

CLOUN COLLtCE (Continued)graduate, including videotapep l a \ ! > c i r k s , w i t h presentation ofdiplomas to the students.

The next set of courses willstart the second week in June.In-terested parties should contact:Midwest Clown College, 12100 So.80th Ave., Box 323, Palos Park,Illinois. Phone; (312) RE5-8170.

hind leg walk. They reappear with rope-spinning andwhip-cracking, well done. Returning are the Diaz Sisters,four comely girls m two acts, bikes and juggling, one ofwhom solos as Miss Gracieila. centering the web displayon a single trap

Jim Silverlake presents the Hoxie bulls with style-five babies including an African, and three adults, andLinda Chandler handles the mounts The eight bullsrushing pell-mell around the track are impressive m -.heopening and, again, in the final long mount.

Flying Columbians round out the show with thegirl displaying consideiable flying skill m a single layout,a double, and a half-twister She has style and form andexecutes sharp "returns". Here, the comedy flair ofWerner Cone; pays dividends wth a clever backwardshocks-off. followi-d by a sort of sitting half-twister com-bined with other antics that evoke good laughs. Finishis the passing leap, a "feets across" with a forward over.

Hoxie's side show, managed by Roger Boyd. Jr.,featured Princess Margaret Anne, 38 inches tall; and theBaron, fire, swords, also magic, blade box and electricgirl. pin", /no

Hoxifs ' ma'n attraction" is the Gorilla On theGreat American it is Kongo; here it is Mongo. housed inthe original Gargantua cage wagon last toured m 1939Both gon'ias ( > • • dotr> r>- ts gel i!ir led caipet treatment,the hon's share of publicity The gorillas are on a 3 yearlease Kongo from Ringlmg. the biggest of the two, andMongo from Boh Knoi'll

Big shO'V manager John Hall told CR that businesshas ber< brok especially m West Virginia and Ohio andthe show is making its first foray mto Illinofc RonBacon is the contiai ting ageni for this territory

The rolling stock continues to wear its distinctivelavender color. whether by whimsey or design or be-a... . i k • ., in-.-. I .<Jan. haid to lose a purple

truck, and the lots are left as clean upon departure asthey are upon arrival- a principal factor in Hoxie beingwelcomed back to the same towns each year

The Circus:It was "cherry pie" time—circus lin-

go for an emergency The trucks car-mnfi the big tcm had broken down, andby the lime they rolled into downtownBurliank. only tive hours remained be-fore show time Members of all 22 actsran to help oui clowns, barkers, aeri-alists. animal iiamcrs. lightro|->e walk-ers acrooais and Colonel Wallace Ri>ssand his elephjnis ("mnet> thousandpout'ds i'f pachyderms">

Tired Tiger. Tor three hours, the bi-/anely assorted crew sweated and sirug-glevl to raise the 17.50* sq ft of bnl-li.u • iM.inf.c .invis in time for theevenings performance All the while, asmall, bearded figure Dipped franticallythrough she melee, hauling on ropes,tesling wires and worrying about thewind - and about the chance ihat a bullelephant might turn calastrophicallyamorous When the teni was finally up.Impresario Clifford Vargas glanced aloftand declared with satisfaction "We arethe biggest big lop in America "

Circus Vargas' big lenl. glowing inihe mghl like an amber mountain, is acheerful atavism, a reminder of a limewhen Americans huddled happily onbenches under canvas, eating cottoncandy and peanuts and staring at themarvels occurring in the three rings be-fore them Now the Ringlmg Bros andBarnum & Bailey Circus ("the greaiestshow on earth ') plays only indoor are-n.i ,.Ju\en locover by the extraordinaryexpense of raising the big top and cre-ating us own city wherever it goes Only18 American circuses are still under can-vas, and most are liitle more than car-nivals with a lired liger or two. barn-storming in a few battered trucks

Three oiher shows are in the sameclass as Circus Vargas: Clyde Beat-ty Cole Bros. Carson-Barnes, andHoxie Bros According to Fred D. Pfen-ning J r . former president of the CircusHistorical Society. Vargas is a tradition-al circus of outstanding quality, and the"unique thing about it is its perpetual mi-grauon across ihe country."

A circus lhat did not migrate wouldnot be much of a show to Vargas-- hecr<>sses the country four times annually,visiting 100 ernes and logging 35.000miles a year To Vargas, a circus thaihud no lenl would be no circus al all.He spurns ihe indoor variety as "air-conditioned and sterile The animals'smell is clouded with disinfectant, andthere isn't even sawdust It's like watch-ing a movie "

F:rom the momcnl he saw his lirstbig top as a boy. Vargas' obsession was10 have one of his own After markingtime as a Fuller Brush salesman andworking for the Chicago /oo. in 1972he bought a small circus that had no tent—a failing he corrected a year laler Sayshe- "I was siariing from virtually noth-ing, but I knew what I wanted to do."

Doing ii seems lo require ihe logis-tical genius of a Hannibal, the show-manship of a Hurok and the businessacumen of a Howard Hughes A trav-eling circus haslo put up with the whimsof the weather, moody animals, occa-sionally avaricious police and fire de-partments and frequently finicky bu-reaucrats who require a sheaf of licenses,clearances and permits.

"There were limes when I actuallycame close to despair."says Vargas, whorefuses to give his age because he feels11 would bring had luck. "The worsi wasin 1974. jusi outside of New Orleans Iirained for five days and we were float-

ing in an ocean of mud. The high windscollapsed the lenl. and it look three daysfor the elephants lo pull out the slakes.Three elephants escaped mio ;i swamp,and mosi of ihe trucks broke down Wefaced the prospect of being beached for-ever I hocked my diamond ring andgot enough to get us rolling again Wegoi Kick to San Jose and the showclicked We were on our way up at last "

Now Vargas has 33 trucks, a staffof 160. nine elephants, eight Andalusi.inhorses, a net worth of ovc; Jl millionand a debt of about S l M i ( X X ) thai he issteadily reducing hy packing in 5.000people a night, usually in shopping cen-ters. What the customers get for theprice of admission ($4 75 for adults.$2 75 for children), is a fast-paced, iwo-hour show that features some of the besiacts in the business

When the show began, the GrcalVashek did di/yy ing spins on a high wirenear ihe tent's apex Doris Naughtinsmoothlv handled the family's motorcy-cling bears—one of whom had brokenher husband's leg just three days beforePat Anthony turned his eight lions andfour tigers into tabbies The aerial art-isis performed miracles with no safetynet below When 45 tons of elephantscame thundering through the sawdustfor ihe grand finale, the kids could al-most reach oul and touch their quiver-ing flanks

"Goodbye, girls and boys, goodbyeuntil next year." called oul RingmasterVargas, resplendent in red tails, whiteriding breeches, gold-flowered waistcoatand black lop hai with a gold band helooked al (he da/ed delighi on the facesof (he children who were walking oul"For a momcn(." he said, "they havelived in a magic world. I wouldn't sellall this for SIO million." T1Mt MAv?4. i»76

May 24, 1976 Page 19

Ringling-Barnum - Red UnitMay 25-30 Troy, N. Y.

Royal Bros. CircusMay 24 Baron, Alta.

25 Coaldale26 Magrathe27 Cardston28 Claresholm29 Okotoks30 Cochrane

Royal Wild West CircusMay 25 Jackson, N.J.

26 Howell27 Brickton28 Farmingdale29 W. Long Brach, N.J.

Sells & Gray CircusMay 24 Gate City, Va.

25 Rural Retreat26 Blacksburg27 Covington28 Cedar Grove, W. Va.29 Eleanor30 Point Pleasant

Shrine CircusMav 24-26 Morristown, N.J .

27-30 West Orange, N.J .John Strong Circus

May 25-26 Albuquerque, N.M.27 Santa Rosa28 Portolos30 Big Springs, Texas

.... OTHER ROUTESAmerican Freedom Train

May 29-Jun 1 Birmingham, AlaCentury 21 Shows - Blue Unit

May 24-31 Joliet, 111.Century 21 Shows - Red Unit

to June 5 St. Louis, Mo.James H. Drew Shows

May 24-29 Oak Hill, W. Va.Magic Capades

May 24 Tiwn Falls, Idaho26 Caldwell

Prof. Miller 6, Co. (Magic)May 25 Peterborough, Ont.

26 Kingston27 Brockville

Rose City RidesMay 25-29 Bonne Terre, Mo.

Tip Top ShowsMay 28-31 Fond du Lac, Wise.