The Circus Report Page 3

Blackpool Tower CircusbyJlMALFREDSON

On the 29th of May. we had the pleasureof seeing the Blackpool Tower Circus, inBlackpool, England. The tower at Blackpoola popular British resort town on the IrishSea, is a huge Eiffel-like structure from thetop of which the entire area can be viewed.At the base of the tower is a building which,since 1894, has housed the Tower Circus -and what an experience it is to watch a cir-cus in a building which has been used fornothing else) It's a beautiful Victorian set-ting and is a one-ring affair, as is customover there.The event opened with a circus parade,

with the entire cast marching around thering; followed by Ringmaster Norman Bar-rett presenting the Roberts Bros. Ponieswith their clever galloping trickery. MissBarbara did balancing and headstands on aswaying trapeze. The Macivas, from Buda-pest, were next with their acrobatics off-and-on their horses. The Half Wits did theirzany clown/ tumbling act. Beverly Robertsdid a turn with camels and llamas, and theFamous Rastellis, the world reknown mu-sical clowns closed the first half.The Flying Germains opened after the in-

termission, a flying act, of course, featuringfour young artists. The Savios Family, fromItaly, did a balancing/juggling act. The Richter Troupe (previously seen as The Macivas)did another acrobatic turn, this time usingelephants as assistants. Bob Bramson didhoop juggling, and the Rastellis returnedwith an elephant to aid them in their antics.

The finale of the Blackpool Tower Circusalways utilizes the special aquatic facilitiesof the building. The floor of the ring slowlysinks and fills with water, becoming a largepool. Prior to this, technicians wheel-invarious spray and lighting devices, and theresult is a beautiful array of fountains andcolored lights, above which the final act -the Trio Carbeni, aerialists from East Ger-many - perform their acrobatics and ironjaw act. A wonderful finale, for a wonder-ful evening's entertainment.The Tower Circus is a "British Institution"

and you're guaranteed of seeing some of thefinest circus talent available. Since the build-ing has been built for the purpose and can

M & M CircusThe performance of the M & M Circus at

Mt Clemens, Mich., featured:Overture by Larry Keenan on organ and

Boom Boom Drowning on drums; OrientalSpec with all performers; Arturn Ramos'Jungle cats; Hand balancing with Manueland Andrea; Popini & Co., low wire; CircusClowns; Don Philips & Co., The Olmedas,The Patricks (juggling display); Mario andMonic, hanging perch; Clowns with FireCracker; The Davisons, rola bola; Intermis-sion.

The Flying Aztecs; Clowns and Long Shirt;Olmeda's Spanish Horse Fantasy; The Oscar-ians, risley; The Cycling Van Noys; TheCristiani elephants with Larry and CarinFrench; The Great Wallendas, high wire.Staff included: Grace Mclntosh, produ-

cer; Larry Dooda, circus chairman; JimmyDoulgass, equestrian director; CarlosObando and Don Philips, props; Bill Brown-ing, musical director; Walt Davis, canvasboss; Vern Woemer and Don Bridwell,clowns; Circus Creators, Inc., creator ofSpec and show wardrobe.

DON BRIDWELL celebrated his 40thbirthday and his 34th year in show businesswith a private party hosted on the M & MCircus by Jim Douglass, Vem Woemer andRic and Sharon Legg.

CLARK McDERMOTT visited the Happy-time Circus at the fair in Anderson, Calif,,before heading off to Canada for his ownshow dates.

be modified in any way to suit the perform-ances, the show runs like clockwork; DickHurran, the Director of the Tower Circus,must be the envy of circus bosses every-where!

We must mention the kindness of Britishcircus buff and magical expert Dr. EddieDawes for arranging our attendance there.It was a marvelous experience, which I hopeother readers can one day share.

Page 4 July 12,1982

Show DatesBeany-Cole CircusJul 12-13Brattleboro,Vt.

14-16 Pi ttsfield. Mass.17-1 8 Glen Falls, NY

Big Apple CircusJuM7-25 Bronx. NY

Carson & Barnes CircusJul 11 Mason City, Iowa

12 Belmond13Waverty14 Amesi c, M puyt nn1 3 I1CW I UN

16 Marengo17 Independence

Castle Int'l CircusJul 12 Bassett, Nebr.

13-14 Norfolk15 Columbus17 Great Bend.Kan

Circus KnieJul 12-13 Zofingen.Switz

14-15 Windisch-Brugg1 C 1 0 A im. iib- t o Aarau

Circus VargasJul 12-14 Newark, Calif.

15-19 San Francisco

Ford Bros, CircusJul 10 Manning, Albta.

11 High Level13 Pine Point NWT14 Hay River

Hoxie Bros. CircusJul 12 Poughkeepsie, NY

13 Middletown14 Sparrowbush15 WarwickIGMahwah, NJ17 Hazlet18 Bay on ne

Liebel Family CircusJul 3-10 Cedar Rapids,

Iowa

Make A CircusJuM 3 San Jose, Calif.

15 Berkeley16 San Francisco

Ringling-Bamum - BlueJul 13-19 San Diego, Ca.

Ringling-Bamum - RedJul 13-25 Houston, Tex.

Roberts Bros. CircusJul 12 Bradford, Vt.

13 Windsor14 Wilmington

15-16 Keene, NH

Swan Bros. CircusJul 13-18 Vallejo, Ca.

TNT& Royal OlympicJul 16-18 Oil City, Pa.

Wenatchee Youth CircusJul15Puyallup,Wash.

17 Tacoma

NEEDIMMEDIATELY

C L O W Nw L U •¥ Iv

Send Resume and Picture

M-•

FRANZEN BROS. CIRCUS

Rte. 1 -Box 173

Amherst Jet., Wise. 54407

or phone

715-677-3864

--• OTHER DATES--

Burr's Fun-0-RamaJul 12-17 Orleans, Mass.

Cold Nose Fiveto Jul 18 Calgary, Can.

James H. Drew ExpositionJul 12-17 Olney, III.

Dune Buggy the ClownJul 14 Ft. Rucker, Ala.

15 Maxwell AFB

Foley & Burk ShowsJul 13-15 Vallejo, Ca.

Doug MacValley StuntstoSep 12Storytown(NY

Scon's Medicine ShowJul 12 Grand Forks, NU

M t% f* t.

13 Grafton14 Devils Lake

Tent TroupeJul 12 Shippensburg, Pa

U l nthoruillo I n HLUUlclvlMe, I I ILJ

14 Ham stead15 Silver Spring16 Dickerson

Tip Top ShowsJul 13-18Seymour,Wisc

Whizzer the ClownJuMO Loudonville, Oh.

17 Logan

- - - MAGIC - - -

Abbott 's Magic ExhibitJul 14-17 Houston, Tex.

Harry Albackerto Jul 18 Moosic, Pa.

Pf. Miller-Magic Time USAJul 14 Hoopeston, Ind.

15 Lafayette16 Monticello17 Merryville

Page 6 July 12. 1982

Ford Bros. PersonnelStaff and personnel with Ford Bros. Cir-

cus this season includes:John Davenport, owner/producer; Jack

Gobble, general supt.; Jean Gobble, conces-sion mgr.; B. H. Whitev Black, office mgr.;Kenny Teagle, boss canvasman; Ken Ben-son, ringmaster/24 hr. man; Gi Gi Null, tic-ket box; Chris Gulp, snake show; LouiseTincher, pony ride;Tom Tincher, elephantride; Harry Locker, elephant ride; Pati An-talek, bubble bounce; Flying Lunas, flyingtrapeze/cradle/traps/web; Consuelo Pierre,wire/traps; Wally Eastwood, juggling/headrigger; Pati Antalek, dressage and long reinhorse and dogs; Beth Boatmun, wire/goats/web; Harry Locker, lions/bears/elephants;Tom Tincher, elephant supt; Connie Boyd,

traps/juggling/web; Ken Benson, whips andropes; Joe Schmidt, producing clown; GusWalker, supt. of transp.; Dixie Walker, pur-chasing agent; Randy Hunter, asst. bosscanvasman and prop boss.

The advance crew consists of: Agents, BillSwain, Ralph Duke. Rick Colley, and R. J.King; Press, Frank Curry; Billposters, SamPampa, Mashall Davis; Special Agent, SteveChurch.Advance clown, Caty the Clown; Region-

al promotional director. Geno Hooper;Banners, Carl Albright; Communicationscoordinator, Peggy Null.

+ Guaranteed 100% quality+ Colorfully designed and durable+ Uses inexpensive simple 9 vt. battery+ Adjustable cloth hat in assorted colors

fits all+ 6 continual flashing and blinking red,

green and yellow lights+ Used by circuses, fairs and carnival con-

cessionaires and butchers, joggers,nightwalking, skiiers, campers, rollerskating, disco places, etc., for fun andaftty.

Only $6.50 PPD, Battery includedSend Check or Money Order to:

J & M VARIETY ATTRACTIONSP. 0. Box S-353

So. Attleboro, Mass. - 02703

Beautiful European Designed Big Tops

5450 Denton Drive CutoffP.O.Box 36001

Dallas. Texas 75235

PageS

Mattel Report(The following information has been taken

from Mattel's report to stockholders, for thethree month period ending May 1, 1982. Tofully understand the Mattel position onemust read the full report).

" . . In March 1982, the Company soldRingling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey CombinedShows, Inc. (Ringling) and its wholly-own-ed subsidiary. Ice Follies and Holiday onIce, Inc. for 522,800,000 cash to a companyorganized by former senior management ofRingling. The sale price approximated bookvalue including tangible assets of $11,300,000. The Company used $12,400,000 of theproceeds to reduce long-term bank debt andthe balance was used for working capital."" .. The Entertainment segment's revenues

decreased $18,139,000 principally due tothe sale of Ringling effective as of the firstday of the current fiscal year."".. Interest expense declined $946,000

due primarily to repayment of a portion oflong-term bank debt with the proceeds fromthe sale of Ringling."".. Subsequent to fiscal year-end, the

Company sold Ringling Bros.-Barnum &Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. including itsIce Follies and Holiday on Ice subsidiaryfor $22,800,000 cash, approximately bookvalue. Of the proceeds, $12,400,000 wereused to reduce long-term debt and the bal-ance to augment working capital. The saleof the Ringling Bros, businesses substantial-ly reduced the operations of the Company'sEntertainment segment which comprisedapproximately 7% of total sales last yearand operated at a combined loss of $1,076,000. Our Circus World theme park in cen-

July 12,1982

THANK YOUWe would like to thank the follow

ing people:DEGELLER ATTRACTIONS

and

ROD LINK SHOWS

for some of the dates this spring.

I want you to know we booked inwith the above mentioned showsand these people showed me theAmerican Showmen's hospitality.

Also thanks to

PAUL and CARLOTTA ROBINSON

for the bookingsand for being such nice folks.

Tumi, Csopi and Anthony Liebel

tral Florida was not included in this sale."'The sate of the Ringling Bros, portion of

our Entertainment segment permits a grea-ter concentration of resources and effort onour three principal thrusts - toys and hob-bies, publishing and printing, and electron-ics."" .. At our Circus World theme park, also

a small part of our total business, near Or-lando, Florida, attendance was down fromthe previous year reflecting similar prob-lems at other major parks in the centralFlorida area. Future prospects for CircusWorld will be impacted by our restricted in-vestment in this enterprise while concentra-ting our human and financial resources inother areas of the Company."

The Circus Report Page 8-A

RAISING OF THE BIG TOP"The Calliope is screaming and bright

Flags are riding highOn Circus-canvas billowing like clouds

against the sky/'

The magic of the "Big Top" (Big Tent)has a following and pleasant nostalgia foralt who have had the pleasure to marvel atthe transforming of a vacant area into acolorful wonderland under a canvas big topin a short space of time.

The Big Tents had their beginning withthe Circus which devised this marvelousprocedure of erecting a huge tent covering.Originally, following systems of raising andlowering vast pieces of heavy canvas sail ofthe great sailing ships, the Circus engineerssummoned the help of seasoned and know-ledgeable ship's mates and sail workersfrom the Eastern seaboard's large masted

sailing vessels. Using their ship's sail, mastand rope knowledge, they played a veryimportant role in the development of theBig Top and the most expedient and effi-cient means to "set up" and "tear down"this portable structure.

Circus center poles, guys, blocks, fall tac-kles and bale rings were based on the sameprinciple as the ship's mast, guys, blockand fall tackle. The ship's method of rais-ing canvas sail aloft by lashing canvas tothe bale ring circling the mast was copiedand adapted.

From sea to land necessitated some in-novations, out the basic principle was thesame in "Raising Canvas."

First, the ground layout. After being

mathematically measured, marked and spa-ced on the ground area, the many 3 and 4inch thick by 4 or 5 ft. long oak perimetertent stakes are driven deep in the ground.This serves as the ground anchor circlingthe tent area, to hold the Big Top in place.

Towering wood (or later, high tensilestrength aluminum} center poles (40 to 68ft. tall), are raised and guyed in place andserve as the backbone of this mammothcanvas structure. With a system of calblesand ropes running through block and falls,horses and elephants pull up these giant

spars to their vertical position all in thecenter line of the tent layout.

With these "ground masts" now waitingin place, the vast oval of the Big Top's can-vas sections are opened and spread by menin many positioned joining pieces on theground around the skelton of center poles.

These sections of canvas are quickly lac-ed together • in a technique to really be

(Continued on Page 24-A)

Page 10

Int. All Starby ED FREEMAN

Events International, Inc., has a real win-ner in Int'l All Star Circus.

The show opened with an overture melodyof hit show tunes. A 5 piece band under theable direction of David Epperly backs theshow program.

Next on the bill was illusionist Joe and Bet-ty Eddy, featuring dove production (5), adove vanish, crystal casket, tubes of destiny(a real mind boggier) and girl to leopard.

Mines Rucker then presented an uncagedleopard, followed by a clown gag, De Milleon the tight wire; Circus of the Stars ChiefBear Paw, presented by trainer and ownerGaylord Maynard and then intermission.The second half opens with Lee Stephens,

Champagne Poodles, featuring a motorcycleriding standard white poodle. Hand balan-cing by the Zachary's, foot juggling by Pat-ty Rucker, Joe Eddie and Betty with thedancing cane and a levitation using fog andclosing the show.

July 12, 1982

Belinda Maynard presented a fast trap act,featuring heel catches and a complete turn-around catching by her heels.

The show is well costumed, productions alaVegas. Joe Eddie uses several flash effectsand smoke, fire works displays.

The show moves real fast with the help offive prop men. The show is well lighted withspecial lighting equipment including a showowned generator. A red plastic ring curb isset off by the 16 ft. high x 55 ft. long goldlame back drop.

The show moves on 3 show owned trucksand 7 private vehicles. They carry their ownnovelties and concessions.

Staff: Mines Rucker, mgr; Chris Bryant,supt; David Epperly, musical director; Emitand Debbie Goetschi, concessions, alongwith Patti Rucker; David Epperly and LeeStephens, novelties; Steve Ribichonek, bal-loons; Joey Eddie and Zachary Goetschi,spot light operators; Jay Doyle, prop supt

Pa gel 2

Shrine Circusby ALLEN BABCOCK

On June 2nd, I went to Bloomington, III.to see the Donnie Johnson Shrine Circus atthe fairgrounds. Barney Adkins, circus gen-eral chairman and his staff did a fine job ofobtaining talent, with the help of DonnieJohnson.

The program featured: David 'Red' Hart-man, tigers; Anagems and Cannestrellis,trap display; Clown rope trick (Hap Davis);lino's lamp post; Count Napolean, dress-age horse; Tino and an arabian horse; TheMariana Duo, cradle; Galambos, rola bola;The Ricardos, low wire; The Zamperlas,unicycles; Boxing Kangaroo; Sir ChadwickChase and His Rolls Rotten car (Hap Da-vis); Tina and Otinka Zoppe, high wire; In-termission.

The Flying Valentines (Raymond andDianne Valentine and Maureen Fitzgeraldand Monica Kelly); Miss Constanzia, un-caged leopards; Peitro Cannestrelli Family,teeterboard; The Zamperlas, riding act; Elephants with Ann Pike; The Maygars, inclin-ed motorcycle; Dave Smith, cannon.

Music was provided by the Parker Duo.

THECOSTUMER By Philip Morris

THANKS

I'LL H*VE To fty you NeXTAS /'/V\ A 1MB.

July 12, 1982

Some former flying act people from theBloomington area were visiting the circus,including Art Brown, Sidney Smith, JimOlson, and Chen Valentine Cunningham'smother.

The weather was fine for the 1:45 p.m.show and it started out good for the even-ing show. But about the third act it turnedcool and the wind started to blow from thenortheast and some rain came. They finish-ed the show, with the cannon act left out.

The circus had to tear down in the rainwhich became heavy at times.

They left here to play Peoria July 3-4,then to Macomb July 5 and Kewanee July6th.

HAROLD RUPP recently visited HoxieBros., Roberts Bros., Great American andthe Ringling Blue Unit, plus a carnival ortwo.

Soviet ShowWhile attending the Int'l Judges Committee

as U. S. representative for the Int'l Federa-tion of Sports Acrobatics, in Moscow, PaulaDell reports she was able to see a Circus onIce show.It was a most unusual performance with

circus acts presented on ice, plus ice skatingstars.

The program included the pole betweenthe shoulders act, a single hand balancer whoskated on his hands on stilt skates, a doublehand balancing act, unicycles, polar bears,unusual predatory bird act (some lookedlike buzzards, one was larger than a falcon),an adagio trio, etc.

They also had some overhead acts such assingle trapeze and rings. Then there was arolling globe act on a flat ladder, with thegirt being pulled up to the ladder, while thefour young men walked up an inclined wire.

Page 14 July 12, 1982

ROGER SMITH recentlyobtained the en-tire library and collection of circus material,that had been acquired by LEONARD V.FAR LEY, former curator of the Harry Hert-zberg Collection in San Antonio. This nowgives Smith one of the most important cir-cus collections in the country.

MiscellaneousThe Liebel Family Circus, playing dates in

the east, moves on 2 pick-up trucks and astep van pulling three trailers. This year theshow added a new canvas backdrop and askirt for the elevated ring. They carry seat-ing for 400 people.

Acts presented during the performance in-clude: Musical Comedy, Juggling, Unicycle/Head Balancing, Trained Dogs (6), Slackwire. Unsupported Ladder, Counting Ponyand Stilts.

PAUL LUCKEY (74), long-time residentof Baraboo, Wise., died of a heart attack onJune 23rd. He had been ill fora long time.He served as ringmaster for the circus at theCircus World Museum for 16 years. He issurvived by his wife, Ethel, who was an or-ganist and calliope player at the museum.

Bom on Dec. 13,1907, Paul was buriedin Baraboo, Wise.

ROY J. MADSEN (68), a professional ma-gician, died at Itasca, III. on May 13th. Royand his brother Ken Madsen, trained and presented 'The Great Andre" a full-sized whitepoodle that performed magic. They werefeatured on many TV shows and had just re-cently taped a special for Japanese cable TVin Los Angeles.

Survivors include his mother, his brotherKen, a sister Eleanor and "Andre" who isthe fourth successive dog with that name.

Page 14-B

Indoor DatesEASTERN STATES INDOOR CIRCUS

1934- Spring Tour -

(from Texas and New Mexico Dates)Mar. 19-24 • Pueblo, Colo - Aud - Shrine- Travel Time -Mar 31-Apr 7 • Billings, Mont. Fairgrd AudApr 9-14 - Butte, Mont - Fox Theatre AudApr 16-21 - Helena, Mont - Shrine TempleApr 23-28 - Spokane, Wash - Masonic AudApr 30-May 5 - Tacoma, Wash • ArmoryMay 7-12 - Everett, Wash - ArmoryMay 14-19 - Bellingham, Wash • State St. A.May 21-26 - Aberdeen, Wash • ArmoryMay 28-Jun 2 - Salem, Ore. - ArmoryJun 4-9 • Eugene, Ore. • ArmoryJun 11-16 - Bremerton, Wash. - Elks Aud.Jun 18-30 - Seattle, Wash - Eagles Aud.July 2-7 * Victoria, BC - ArmoryJuly 9-14 - Vancouver, BC - Auditorium

End of Tour

July 12.1982

- Fall Tour -POLACK BROS. CIRCUS

Opening DateSep. 10-15 • Lewiston, Id. - Recrea. ParkSep. 17-22 - Missoula, Mont - Loyola Aud.Sep. 24-29 • Great Falls, Mont - Auto BldgOct. 1-6 - Calgary, Albta - Victoria Pavit.Oct 8-13 - Helena, Mont. - Shrine TempleOct. 15-20 • Casper, Wyom. - Armory

(on to dates in Colo and Kanas)Shrine dates were at Pueblo, Billings, But-

te, Helena, Spokane, Tacoma, Aberdeen,Victoria, Vancouver, Lewiston and Calgary.

Elks Club dates were at Everett, BellinghamSalem, Bremerton, and Helena.

Knights of Columbus dates were at Seattle,Missoula, Great Falls, while American Le-gion dates were at Eugene and Casper.

(Warned, route cards from Polack Bros.1935 to 1951.1 am in need of these to fin-ish this research project. Write to: MichaelSporrer, 17025 N. E. 22nd St., Bellevue,Wash. 98008).

The Circus Report Page 15

Youth Circusby MICHAEL SPORRER

The Wenatchee Youth Circus, now in its30th season, returned to the Seattle CenterArena on Saturday, June 19th. The showwas sponsored by the Children's OrthopedicHospital and Medical Center, in connectionwith its 75th anniversary.The free 10 a.m. circus drew a light crowd,

guests of the circus was the Variety Club sit-ting in choice front side seats. Only a smallnewspaper article could be found in the wayof publicity, although a TV station was onhand to cover the show.This year's program is tops and Paul Pugh

has done a good job over the years, makingthis show the greatest little show on earth.

Making their debut this year were the eightsmall wagons, loaded like cross cages on aflat bed truck. They carry such things as thedining dept. (2), band wagon, props (5) andwardrobe. Each is painted a different colorand titled, making a great flash on the lot

Because the show was indoors no canvas

AGENTS-CLUB OWNERS

CLIENTS-BUYERS

AND OTHERS!

" ICETRAVAGANZA"

Unique ice-less ice revue at

Oscar's Restaurant Night Club

Roosevelt Ave. and 88th StreetElmhurst, Queens, NY

-Started July 1st-

2 Shows Nightly

Every Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.

For more information call:

OSCAR'S

(212) 898-3018 Evenings

SPECIAL OFFER

UNTIL

JULY 20,1982

BILL BALLANTINE'S BOOK

"CLOWN ALLEY"

$18.95 Just $17.00 postpaid

List of other books for S. A. S. E.

PIRATES TREASURE COVE

P.O. Box 822

Gibsonton, Florida • 33534

813 - 6 7 7 - 1137

was used. They have carried dressing tentsand backdrop in the past years.

This years program ran as: Pre-show bandconcert, Circus on Parade, National Anthem,Juggling and Unicycle, Double trapeze. TheClown Family portrait. Trampoline (2groups), Clown levitation. Low wire, Teeter-board, Clown car and vest gag. Inclined wirewalk, Roman ladders, High wire walk withbicycle, intermission.Tumbling, Gorilla and long shirt gag, Fire

juggling. Whips, Guppo (Paul Pugh) balanc-ing gag, Flying Trapeze with a great passingleap and a great finish.Coloring books and a program pitch were

made during the intermission.Director Paul Pugh has retired as a school

principal this year to devote full time to hisWenatchee Youth Circus, best wishes for agreat retirement.

New Address For:HENRY and SALLY PAYNE

1057 Lynhurst AvenueLouisville, Kentucky -40215

We will write to all of our Circus Friends,the ones we owe letters to, just as soonas we can.

Page 18 July 12, 1982

TRAINED ANIMALS

FOR SALERoman team, matched pair, jet black,8 yr. old geldings -$3,500

Trained white Brahma steer, 5, doescomplete act, very gentle • S3,500

Comedy swayback horse, young gel-ding, does complet act - S3,500

Barrel racing Dalmatian dog, spayedfemale, does complete act.

All animals, plus 1 yr. old Gnu, tame.

JONNY RIVERS TRAINING RANCH

P. 0. Box 286

Mclntosh, Fla. 32664

904 - 591 - 2076

NOW APPEARINGon the all new

. RONALD MCDONALD CIRCUSin Montreal

Produced by Frank Curry

THE

HOLLYWOOD LIBERTY HORSES

Trained and Presented by

PHILIP ANTHONY

HAVE OPEN TIME

AFTER JULY 4th

Contact Immediately

PHILIP ANHTONY

2431 South Sheridan StreetPhiladelphia, Pa. -19148

Phone: 215 -462 -4825

Roberts Bros.by R.J.BRYAN

Roberts Bros. Circus appeared in NorthWester, Pa., in June. We were with the showin Sandy Lake, Pa., and Harrisville, Pa.

It is a fine litt le show in size, but very bigunder the big top with a full 114 hour per-formance. It's fun and entertaining for the

entire family.The circus is owned by Robert and Doris

Earl, with their sons and family. It is a cleanshow from personnel to equipment. Theyhave animals, aerial numbers and a varietyof other features.

Music is provided fay Lee Pinter at the or-gan.We certainly had a very good and enjoy-

able visit with this great show.

Page 20

Do you remember?byTEDLaVELDA

CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS, Season of1959.Jack and Angela Moore, owners and man-

agers; Floyd "Breezy" Hill, general agent;Ted LaVelda, side show manager; Jack Tur-ner, big snake exhibit; Dorothy Turner, apeshow; Sam Price, big show tickets; Paul Pyle,lotsupt. assisted by Emmitt Hickman andPaul Neese; Harry Rawls, concessions; KellySwim, purchasing agent; Jimmie Connors,electrician; George Bell, band director; Le-ona Hill, organist; Jelly Roll Rogers, headedthe side show band and doubled in the bigshow band; Mike Moore, prop boss; MikeMinnela, 24 hr. man; Blackie Martin, trans-portation; the LaVelda trio and Chuck Ful-ler, clowns.

Col. Tim McCoy, western film star, wasfeatured and the show used a lot of specialpaper on McCoy and Josky, the big elephant.Dick Shipley was elephant boss. Other per-formers were Dave Hoover, lions; Sidells,aerialists; Miss Leita (Fuller), contortion.

July 12, 1982

web, ladder; The Connors, dogs, ponies,goats; Eddie Mason, liberty horses and po-nies; Wanda Hoover, web, ladder, elephants;Mary Rawls, aerial, trampoline.This was the first year the show played in

Canada and all 30 days were played in On-tario. The banner day of the season was atElliott Lake, which was a uranium miningtown. Four straw houses were given thatday.

The opening day at Paris, Texas, the reinson Col. Tim's horse broke, causing him tofall. The local paper printed a story the nextday, accusing him of being drunk and fallingoff. Several papers along the route picked upthe story and this was responsible for somepoor business.

MiscellaneousOn July 34, a special Fourth of July Cir-

cus was presented in Hoboken, NJ, by theCircus Arts Center, a professional circusschool. Featured in the show were acrobats,clowns, jugglers, unicyclists, equilibrists,trapeze artists and wire walkers.

The ElephantsHemo Cristiani's elephants are touring with

units of the Amusement Corp. of Americathis year. The elephant act is presented as afree attraction at many dates, and the bullride works all spots.They will appear on Link Shows, World of

Pleasure Shows and Royal American-Linkcombined engagements.

Creative Outlet, of Largo, Fla., promotesall A.C.A. dates, which encompasses over

seventy dates in the mid-west and includessix state fairs.

DAVID CQPPERFIELD, magician, was aguest performer on the John Davidson TVShow on June 22nd. He did the Canary inan egg, The Invisible Deck and then theyshowed his disappearance of a jet plane.

Page 22

Sells & Grayby 'CIRCUS JOE' Va/enciano

Sells & Gray 3 Ring Circus, season of 1962was truly a nice show. As I remember, thiswas the last of the "big time circus" in a me-dium size. By this I mean they had every-thing that other tent shows had already gotrid of, except maybe the Mills show.

Sells & Gray was owned and operated byThe Acme Circus Corp.. and managed byBill English. The top was a 90 round end,with three center sections. In the big topthey had a lot of reserved chair seating onboth the long and short sides. They still hada wild west concert.

The cookhouse was a good-sized tent andthey had waiters too. The side show was agood sized three pole round end top. It in-cluded a fire eater, sword swallower, magic,Punch & Judy and a good five piece jazzband, with a girl dancer.The main show had a five piece band. The

clown numbers were presented by Bob-0

July 12, 1982

and Bobbino Langin, and Phil and BonnieBonta.The show ran as follows: The Valencianos,

trampoline, center ring; Sells & Gray honesin Rings 1 and 3; Clowns; Lola Sanchez, aer-ial revolves above center ring; The Bontasand The DeLocks, dog acts in rings 1 and 3;Miss C. Hudson and Miss J. Sanchez, web inrings 1 and 3; The Monzanos, hand balancingin center ring; Pony Drills in rings 1 and 3;Carlos. Indian Fire Dance; Miss Lola andMiss Ulla, swinging ladders in rings 1 and 3;Clowns; The Newman and Dickason Bearsin all three rings; Miss Ulla, swinging trap-eze in center ring; Clowns; The Monzanos.perch pole, center ring; The Sells & Grayelephants.

As you can see it was a very good show,and the circus was actually carrying twobands. I recall one time when the bandsleeper broke down and there was no bandso the side show band filled in.

The Circus Report Page 23

Old Circus Bandby BOBandJUD Y HARRISON

An 18-piece unit that plays traditionalAmerican circus music • marches, one-steps,galops and cakewalks • which were writtenbetween 1880 and 1920 is alive in the heartof the French Quarter of New Orleans. 'TheOld Circus Band" is directed by Jim Die, along-time musician formerly with Ringling-Barnum, Clyde Beatty, Royal Hannefordand other Canadian and Puerto Rican groups

In 1969, after bandleader Merle Evans re-tired from Ringling Bros., Ille, on Evans'recommendation, was hired by Irvin Feld totake his place. That he did until 1971.

(He's parents were both in show businessand his Dad trouped for 30 years. When hewas 6, his Dad bought him a bugle, then ayear later rented him a trumpet for $1.00.Quickly he was good enough to buy one,and his career was pever in doubt.

After his stint in the army with its concertband, he was off to the big top. Ille wasmarried to Kay Hanneford, who until herdeath in 1976, was one of the all-time great

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bareback riders.Die's brother-in-law, Tommy Hanneford,

produces the Shrine Circus in many majorcities, and the Hanneford family is steepedin bareback tradition, dating to 1610. Jim'sdaughter, Nellie, is a featured performer ofthe Hanneford troupe, and his mother-in-lawnearly 100 years of age, still goes in the ringevery day as the ring mistress.

But in 1976, after his wife's death, Ille de-cided he had enough of the road. "You getup at 8, play three shows on Saturday, the10:30 show, 2 in the afternoon and 8 thatnight. You wind up eating a wrinkled-up hotdog and drinking some rancid coffee. WhenSaturday's over, you're whipped, and youstill have to do the Sunday show."

He had been in New Orleans off and on,had cut his teeth playing in night spots suchas the Puppy House on Bourbon Street andthe Dog House on Rampart Street, way backin 1940. So he moved to New Orleans andnow lives in the Quarter. He plays on Tues-day and Sunday evenings at Car lo Montal-bano's Blue Angel on Bourbon Street witha jazz group called "Sons of the Depression."

Circus music over the years has changed.Ringling altered its instrumentation and thekind of traditional music it offered. Todayit sounds more like a European dance band.Last year, Ille was looking over his old tunes"I had all this great music just sitting aroundIt hadn't been played in almost 30 years."

So he put together a group, 'The Old Cir-cus Band" and they played a concert in Jackson Square which went over extremely well.

"I'm a sucker for traditionalism," says Ille."Stuff like what you hear at PreservationHall. We started this just for kicks, but we'rethe only group in the world playing this kindof music. We play a lot of Ragtime, Cake-walks, Trombone Smears and Circus marchesIt's not Sousa, it's much more technical anda lot of them you couldn't march to."

Ille has a lot of great memories from hiscircus days. "Sure, it's a gypsy life. Homeis the road. But it's just like being home ex-cept it moves every day."With Ringling Bros., Ille occupied a 32 ft.

stateroom on the circus train, right next tothat of Gunther Gebel-Williams. The lateKarl Wallenda was one of his closest friends.He was in Cecil B. DeMille's 1951 movie,

(Continued on Next Page)

Page 24

OLD CIRCUS BAND (Continued)

"The Greatest Show on Earth" with Chart-ton Heston, Betty Mutton and Cornel Wildeand even played knock rummy with the le-gendary producer.'There was a tent where the ticket sellers,

ushers and band members dressed. Lot ofmoney in that tent/' Hie recalled of thedays when the circus was under canvas. "Wewould use a tuba trunk for a table and putblanket on top of it. When DeMille foundout about the game, he was there every day,Johnny on the spot"

Hie laughs at one of the common miscon-ceptions about circus music and the animalacts. "People say, 'boy, didn't that horsekeep great time with the music!' not at all.We just picked music that kept time withthe horse."

The kind of music heard on the streets ofNew Orleans from 'The Old Circus Band"include "Entry of the Gladiators" (also cal-led 'Thunder and Blazes"), "Barnum & Bai-ley's Favorite", "Ringling Bros. Grand En-try", a one-step called "Stop It" and "Wai-

July 12,1982

king Frog", plus many others.The musicians are some of the finest in the

city and certainly stir up your circus bloodflow.

Concerts this year featuring 'The Old Cir-cus Band" will also include entertainmentfrom many varied performers. On tap willbe Professor Gizmo, an amazing one-manband, tightrope walking, a mime, a theatrefor young people, a circus fat lady, and aregiment of local circus clowns. And forsome reason, the Wisconsin Cheese Festivalwill provide a 100 ft. long Swiss cheese Po-Boy.

If you are in New Orleans, do look up Jim-my Hie and hear some great music. If youare even more fortunate, you will get achance to see and hear 'The Old CircusBand" of New Orleans for a current daythrill of yesteryear's circus music.

DAVID CHIBARA, former clown withJIM DOUGLASS' clown alley, and nowwith the 'Pirates of the Sky' act, visitedwith friends on the M & M Circus at Mt.Clemens, Mich.

July 12.1982

RAISING THE BIG TOP {Continued)

considered the fint Zipper ever devised.Built for quick and simple assembly anddisassembly, a row of steel grommet ringsthrough the canvas on one section is plac-ed in overlap position on the other sectionof equally spaced rows of rope loops fas-tened to the joining section of canvas.

Thus, the zipper system of joining andparting consists of starting at the topeedge and threading the rope loops into thecorresponding steel grommet rings on theoverlapping canvas section to be joined. Theprotruding lower loop through the grom-met is then inserted into the top loop andpulled down to engage the next lower loop.This simple loop lacing is continued withall the loops together in chain fashion. Thelast loop is tied off securely. This all servesto unite the canvas sections and quicklyand easily separate them by loosening thetied-off end loop. In this fashion the loopsautomatically slip apart and out of thegrommets as the sections are pulled aparton the tear-down operation. A storm flapis snapped in place over this laced sectionto prevent leakage in heavy weather.

Finally, the canvas center sections, at theircontact with the bale ring around the baseof the center poles, are lashed to their balerings awaiting their ascension up the hugepoles * thus raising or "peaking the tent."This completes the lacing of the canvasprior to raising.

Canvas men now begin pushing up thesidewall poles around the outer edge peri-meter of the canvas sections. By insertingthe horn (spike) of the sidewall poles in thepole hole grommets of the canvas edge,they push and pull this smaller outer poleto its vertical position, and then half hitch

Page 24-A

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that the dog act and the pony act are 2separate acts because I work single, wiredfor sound. They cannot be worked as oneact or immediately following each other.

the tent guy rope to its opposite spacedtent stake. This great outer circle of canvaswith all sidewall poles in place now resem-bles a giant canvas bowl.

At a signal from the boss canvasman, ele-phant or horse power, working simultan-eously, pull the peaks of the canvas up thepoles 1/3 of the way high.

Ovals of quarter poles that support thecanvas area stretching between the center

(Continued on Page 24-B)

Page 24-B

RAISING THE BIG TOP (Continued)

poles and the outer sidewall poles, are par-tially pushed in place and tied off by in-serting the horn or poles through the quar-ter grommet hope spaced openings. This isaccomplished by men and horse power.

With all quarter pole; now in place, thecanvas is once again pullet) up the centerpoles by the bale rings to its final top po-sition and the ropes running the length ofthe center poles are tied off at the basepin of these poles.

Returning to the positioning of the quar-ter poles, they are fastened down to stakesto prevent wind jumping and pole collapse.

To finally complete this feat of raisingthe Big Top, more gangs of men "handguy out" by tightening the total perime-ter stake ropes. This huge task is all donein unison and a romantic like rhythm isdeveloped by these men in half hitchingthe tent ropes securely to each stake. Withthis final operation, the entire tent is safe-ly tight, stretched taut and "sea worthy"in the language of the old canvas salts.

July 12. 1982

This amazing and unique system, devisedby these iron men, can be considered aninnovation of "Yankee ingenuity" at itsbest. The basic principles and techniquesdeveloped by these pioneers of the circusare still used in the erection of the "BigTops" left today.

.... Jerry Booker

(Art work with this artic/e is by JerryBooked

PAUL LUBERA did his Space-Contortionact for a Frank Massey produced show forBrandy Alexander at the New PeppermintLounge in New York City on June 28th.

BILL RIVERS and KEVIN KINZERareat the Denver Zoological Gardens runningthe camel ride concession.

HO-PO the Maine Clown just completedthe Maine Shrine Circus dates and reportshe will be at the Eastern States Expo inSept. for Wayne McCary.

The Circus Report Page 25

EMMETT KELLY. Jr. and NANCY CIR-CUS at Essex Jet., Vt. on June 6th, promo-ted by Blanche Zeller via agent LeonardGreen, was a 3-ringer done 1-ring at a time.Acts included Aria's Bears, Aria's Dogs,

Jim Davis' Dogs, Haviland's Dogs, Fossett'sKangaroo, Fossett's Chimps, Galumbosrolling globes and juggling, Olinka's lookwalk, Magyars aerial motorcycle. LuckyBros., Nicholas Bros., Zcrbini riding act,Tino Wallenda Zoppe, high wire and anunder-amplified band. Circus closer wasthe Hugo Zacchini cannon which went overwith a bang, a bit louder than the band! Es-timated attendance was in excess of 11,000.

Hope t didn't miss anyone in the fine ar-ray of talent Really no excuse • but I wasbusy with my dogs!There were other shows on the grounds

too. Saw a big magic show starring Scalzoamongst other attractions that were gettingaudience attention.

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The stage show at the Hartford, Conn.,Bushnell Auditorium on June 19th starredJoey Bishop, Jessie O'Shea, Esther Marrow,Allan Jones, Jackie Vemon, Harmonica Ras-cals, Pierre DuPont & Sparky, the Agostin-os, juggler Edward Jackman, magician HarryMaurer, the Vodvilettes dancing duo andGordon Edwards' 8-piece band.

Roy Radin Promotions handled the Bishopemcee vehicle expertly and seem to be en-joying continued success with their effortsat fund-raising for various civic protectiongroups like Sheriff's Associations, or thePolice and Fire Benevolent organizations.

Radin himself has been recently involvedin a New York scandal. Apparently, he hasbeen more successful in clearing his namethan one of his vaudeville predecessors, thelate Alexander Pantages, who went to prisonand lost his theatrical empire because ofsimilar scandals years ago.

Attendance for the 10 act, one set varietyromp was slightly more than one-half of theorchestra and loge seats, altho obviously theadvance program advertising and advanceticket sale was very big.

Fair DateRoberts Bros. Circus, which, this season

fielded a second unit to play fair dates, willappear as a free feature of the HowardCounty 4-H Fair, Greentown, Ind.. Aug. 2thru?.

Producer Bob Earl will coordinate the tal-ent and the show will be presented in aEuropean one-ring format.Paul Robinson, Creative Outlet. Largo, Fla.

is promoting the event and Oeggeller Attrac-tions appears on the midway. Circus perfor-mances will be at 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdaysand 2, 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Page 26 July 12, 1982

Vanishing BreedABC-TV's "American Sportsman"offered

a special look at elephants as part of its Sun-day, June 27th program. The feature wasbased on the efforts of Randy Moore to re-train three former circus elephants so thatthey could return to their native Kenya.

The three elephants were bom in Africaand came to the U. S. in 1967. They wereacquired by the late Morgan Berry and hadbeen presented in the circus by Eloise Berch-told.After the death of both Morgan and Eloise

the elephants were acquired by Randy whoin 1979 wanted to take them back to Africa.He started them on a training program thatwould lead to their return. From Oregonthe animals went to Texas, then Marylandand finally to Brooklyn where they wereloaded aboard a freighter for the voyageto Africa.

The half hour program showed the animalsas they were being trained, as they were putaboard the ship, their journey across theAtlantic and finally their arrival in Africa.Their introduction to their native land wasalso well covered.

The program included films about theslaughter of elephants in various parts ofAfrica for their tusksf showed the animalsas they broke down fences seeking food,andtheir care of youngsters and each oth-er.

Also shown was the thinning of a herd, anaction that involved the killing of the hugefemale elephants and capturing of the ba-bies for shipment and sale to overseas mar-kets.

There was a time when some 10 millionelephants roamed about Africa, but todayonly a fraction of that number still remain.The growth of cities, population and thepoachers have all helped to cut down theelephant population. In one park alone15,000 elephants lived there, while todaythere are less than a third that number inthe park.

Researchers feel the days of the Africanelephant are numbered and not much isbeing done to protect them. It is hopedthat at least a few elephants might surviveand be protected for the future, but thatfuture seems dark, indeed f

Show Visitby ALLEN BABCOCK

The week of May 30June 5,1 drove some800 miles to see the Chicago Circus Paradeand several circuses.

Weather for the parade was beautiful withbright sunshine and a coot breeze coming offLake Michigan. At the Navy Pier, where thehorses were hooked up, I had a chance tovisit with Ed Freeman, Bill Backstein, Ran-dolph Ricket ts and Bob Phebus. (CatherineHepburn was also there, being escorted byBill Schultz, director of the Circus WorldMuseum.

On the way home we made a stop at Bo-lingbrook to see Franzen Bros. Circus. Theywere on a muddy lot. Business was good andthey had to give an extra show despite theheavy rains. Arthur Cooksey and the Schei-man's were also visiting the show.

On June 5th, Carson & Barnes Circus cameto Jacksonville, III., playing on the fairgrounds. Some of the show trucks were lategetting in because they had been on such asoggy lot the day before. They had somenice houses and it is a fine performance.Jim and Beverly Royal were saying theirgoodbyes here as they were leaving to jointhe Chipperfield Circus in England.

Visitors included Charlie Bellatti, HarryWise, Jack and Clifford Albea, VernonRichardson, Jon Friday, Chuck Kay andBill Backstein.

On June 9th, the Int All Star Circus cameto Decatur, III. It was the first time I hadseen this show since 1977 and they have agood performance. Man Jo Couls and EdFreeman were visiting here.Coming up are the Great Wallendas at

Springfield, III. over July 4th, then the TNTCircus will be in Normal, III. Aug. 25-29and Ron Kelroy is scheduled to bring in ashow for the Illinois State Fair.

CORKY the Clown (Grant Dozier) and hiswife APR! L are the proud parents of a son,Dustin Allen, who was bom one month pre-mature. The new arrival is a healthy 6 Ib. 7oz. and measures 19 in. long.

The Circus Report Page 27

New Bookby GEORGE C. BINGAMAN

CIRCUS WORLD by Agnes Yarnall. Pub-lished by Dorrance& Co., 828 LancasterAve., Bryn Mawr. Pa. 19010.

Yesteryear's circus has chronicled acts thatDrought sculpture and poetry into the centerring. Agnes Yarnall's new book brings theseseldom used art forms into a fresh employ-ment for circus and art friends.Agnes Yarnall's 91 pages of black and while

photographs of her sculpture and poems is acaptivating book ushering the reader intothe magic world inside the circus world andits clowns and their pet animals - the innerworld of their feelings and points of view!

The tribute to Otto Griebling is notewor-thy because she catches the secret of hiscomic art in these well-put lines:

"You approach the ladies.They think you are going to kiss them

And they shriek and carry on -But they are wrong.

You only want to dustThe brass rail of the box."

It was quite a coincidence that the day Iobtained this book published near Philadel-phia, that I should be in the City of Brotherly Love, discussing with Ringling clowns thesuperb talents of the late Otto, who mayhave been the best in the Twentieth!

In "Harlequin" on Page 17, she hits thevital nerve in the clowns' holy of holies.

"So supreme your art,The Audience forgets

Your broken heart!"The attractiveness of this arty circus book

lies in its ability to express the child's pointof view in the poetic lines. Is not this thesecret to cireusing? The ability to tickle thefancy of the child and children of all ages.Children loves animals, toys. Yarnall's poemsdeal with dogs, a goose, a ball, a monowheel.

a piglet, an elephant, a bear, three horses.The paradox of circusing reaches a sharp

focus in "Carnival", page 9 where the poetsees

"Suddenly I understandYour anguish

And with terrible awarenessIt becomes mine!

You are a realHuman being!

But your headIs the head of a pig!"

Clowns are the main performers in CircusWorld. They are femine, hunchback, griev-ing, juggling, playing with balls, smiling,playing with suspenders. Roustabouts arealso there.

It is curious that America's most famousclown Charlie Chaplin has immortalized hislyrics, "Smile though your heart is breaking,etc." and that the author in "Head of Smil-ing Clown" should pinpoint it all "how won-derful is the power of your smile!"

These are sufficient goodies. If you wantto sit near the center ring go to the circusfor its thrills, chills and spills. If you wantto enter the inner sanctuary of circus per-formers and animals and share their feelingsand emotions open Agnes Yarnall's "CircusWorld."

DAN RATHER, of CBS-TV news recent-ly did a little feature on the circus, callingit a vanishing era. The report included someviews of the Beatty-Cole Circus.

MANZI Nl, escape artist, is touring in NewEngland, playing fairs, parks, etc.

FORD BROS. CIRCUS • KODIAKP. O. Box 7099 - Cut and Shoot. Texas - 77303

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Additional Acts Needed for Alaskan Tour:

Foot Juggler - Hand Balancing Act - Unicycle Act - Flying Act1 More Advance Clown - Phone Promoters - Advertising Agent

Page 28 July 12, 1982

Mario Manziniby JOSEPH FOX

Mario Manzini, champion escape artist,was a featured act at the 'Greater Westches-ter County Fair' held at Yonkers Raceway,NY (May 27 thru June 6). This was Man-zini's second year with the fair. Mario per-formed twice on each weekday and threetimes a day on weekends (as did the otheracts), thirty minutes for each performance.

Assisted by two adult members of the au-dience, Manzini's stage performance featur-ed an instant release from a rope tie, follow-ed by the ever-popular comedy Kellar ropetie behind the back. Next Mario presentedthe main escape: a full view double-bag es-cape.

First the two audience helpers heavilyshackled down Manzini with numerous pairsof handcuffs on his wrists and arms, andthen forced Mario into a hunched-over po-sition by connecting the wrist restraints tothe shackles on his legs via another pair ofhandcuffs.

Now Dina, Mario's assistant, introduced

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approximately twenty feet of heavy chainand Mario invited the two spectators tochain and lock it around him in any posi-tion they chose. In such a state, Manziniwas then locked inside a canvas mailbag,which itself was then tied inside a largecloth sack.

After tossing and rolling around on thestage, Manzini completely escaped from theshackles and bags in approximately 3/.> min-utes, to well-deserved applause.

Inclement weather was had throughoutmost of the fair dates. On such rainy oc-casions, Mario had to replace the bag escapewith a straitjacket escape.

Mario's presentation is that of the TonyCurtis movie version, standing upright withbody movement - v?ry dramatic. A comedythumbcuff escape was also featured, where

(Continued on Next Page)

The Circus Report Page 29

MIKE CECERE is working on a new actwith two female African elephants, whichhe hopes to add to the animal show soon.He is already presenting chimps and catson the public shows.

PAULA DELL, who is active in promotingsports acrobatics, recently visited with EL-FIE ALTHOFF-JACOBI while in Europe.Her circus was playing in a small Austriantown across the Swiss border.

THE TRAMPpLINE GUYS & GALS arecurrently working at a theme park in Rich-mond, Va., called Kings Dominion.

Mail ReturnedThe Post Office has returned Circus Re-

ports addressed to the following people:Francis Green Neil KahanovitzTim Bickmore James HieHillary Detjens Manuel RuffinAlamo Enterprises T. J. Howell

MANZINI (Continued)

as the spectator is unable to release himselffrom the restraint even when holding thekey, Mario proceeds to then do an instantrelease from them, having his thumbs fas-tened behind his back.

As usual, during each performance, Man-zini issued a $5000 challenge to any policeofficer who can successfully restrain himwith their own cuffs. At one show the chal-lenge was accepted. The officer's cuffs wereadded to those already on Manzini's armsimmediately before entering the double bagsClose to four minutes elapsed before Marioemerged from the bags minus all the restra-ints except for the officer's cuffs. Manzinithen porceeded to escape from the policecuffs in full view of alt.

As a finale to the day's performances, eachnight Manzini also featured his upside-downaerial (burning rope) straitjacket escapefrom a crane.Unlike magic acts, a professional escape

show is rarely seen by the public. Manzini'sperformances were all well-received by apublic who had certainly witnessed some-thing new and different.

Page 30

A Losing DatebyPAULWESTMORE

(From the Niagara Falls. NY, Gazette, dat-ed June 21, 1982).

Ringling Bros, and Bamum & Bailey Circuslost money during its recent five-day run atthe Niagara Falls International ConventionCenter (June 9-13) because it sold 28% ofthe tickets available for its 10 performances.The circus, nevertheless, will likely be back

in four or five years despite the poor show-ing, a circus official said.

Convention center figures show 22,638 of80,000 tickets were sold for the 10 circusperformances"We lost a considerable amount of money

in Niagara Falls, but the season has beenvery good for us overall so far," said AllenBloom, circus senior vice president of mar-keting and sales. "We did not do well at allin Niagara Falls compared to what we'vedone in the rest of the country."

Bloom would not, however, reveal theamount of money the circus lost

He said the circus needed to sell about 70%of the tickets at the center to make a profit"It doesn't mean we aren't coming back to

Niagara Falls," he said, "As well as being aprofit-making organization, we try to comeback to a city every four or five years to giveeveryone an opportunity to see the 'GreatestShow on Earth."'"Certainly we won't be back next year or

the year after, but this definitely is not thelast year we'll be in Niagara Falls," Bloomsaid. "We don't play any city and say we arenever coming back. We go back when wecan.'That's part of our image and the reason

why we've been around for 112 years/' hesaid. "If we only went to places where wemade money. I think the show would havedied out 50 years ago. We keep pur name infront of the market place by giving as manypeople the opportunity to see the show aspossible - that includes playing cities wherewe don't make money."

Bloom said the circus picks a number ofcities each year to perform in even thoughit knows it will lose money. He said thecompany offsets the losses by playing in

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July 12, 1982

Traveling TroupeInflation has forced Armstrong's Caravan

Stage Company to cut back on its show. Asa result this year the show is operating with8 Clydesdale horses instead of 11 horses, 5wagons instead of 6 and 16 players insteadof the former 35 people.The show which tours in British Columbia

has continued to receive its Federal andProvincial government subsidies, but thecorporation and foundation grants are onlyhalf of what they used to be. 'They justdon't have the money to sponsor groups."Many tentative dates have still not beensigned because of a lack of local governmentfinancial help.

But, hard times or not, the company con-tinues to carry out its tradition of bringinglive theatre to towns that are off the beatentrack. The horse drawn caravan is visiting in-terior towns and provides a variety of enter-tainment such as jugglers, mimes, clownsand a stage presentation.

This year's tour includes shows at: Arm-strong/Vemon area, June 10-16; Falkland,June 19; Douglas Lake, July 2-3; Meritt,July 7-9; Ashcroft, July 10-11; Lillooet,July 17-18; Hat Creek, July 24-25; Savona,July 30; Kamloops, Aug. 10-14; Chase, Aug.21-22; Salmon Arm, Aug. 27-29; Enderby,Sept 34 and Armstrong. Sept. 8th.

i he Circus Report Page 31

LOSING DATE (Continued)

enough cities where it's sure to make a pro-fit

Bloom said there were three reasons forthe poor attendance • population, economyand the time of year."The population base is too small," he

said. "It's near Buffalo, but people are lesslikely to travel to Niagara Falls from Buf-falo to see it. The overall economy is bad,especially in that particular area. It's thebeginning of summer. In areas where theyhave a long winter, people psychologydon't want to go indoors at that time ofyear."

Center Director Louis S. Harp said he didnot know how well a draw the circus wasin other parts of the country."! think that it is pretty good considering

the economy," he said. "I think any pro-moter will never be-satisfied, but I think it'sa hell of a good showing. I hope they comeback next year."They like to play this building because

it's easy to get into and easy to rig," Harpsaid.

On June 22nd, a male African bush ele-phant was born at the San Diego Wild Ani-mal Park in Southern California. The baby'smother is "Hatari" and was in the 1962 film"Hatari" with John Wayne and Red Buttons

A. C. Nelson MovesAfter 63 years in Downtown Omaha, A. C.

Nelsen Company has moved to an all newsales, service and trailer supply store com-plex. The new location is 11818 'L' Street.It is easily accessible to Interstate 80.The new facilities face L Street, but due to

highway regulations, entrance cannot bemade from there. It is necessary to use 'I'Street entrance.

If traveling from the West, take L StreetWest and go to the first red light which is120th Street Then turn right to the nextlight which is 'I' Street, then turn righhtagain to the entrance. If coming from theEast, take 'I' Street exit west to entrance.A. C. Nelsen Company has been serving

performers and show people for over 40years. They feel fortunate to have so manyloyal customers and friends on most majorcircuses in the United States, as well as inEurope.They specialize in dealing with all show

people. Furnishing their needs in traveltrailers, light trucks, cars, concession trail-ers and customized units. They financethe items they sell. Their insurance agencyCentral Insurance Agency is capable of fur-nishing most all types of coverages on ve-hicles, animals and circuses.They invite all of their customers and any

show people traveling through Omaha tostop in at the new facilities.