Bandwagon Vol 38 No 1 (1994)

52 Pages·55.4 MB·English

by  Circus Historical Society

Division 8
Michael Sporrer 1?
Division 9
Gordon Brown 2
Al Stencell
1
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart Thayer, January 25, 994
NEW MEMBERS
Charles J. Finley
02 Michigan
Vol. 38, No. 1 January -February 1994
Pueblo, CO 81004
FRED D. PFENING, JR., EDITOR
Fred D. Pfening III, Managing Editor -Bill Biggerstaff, Production and Graphics
Daniel McGinnis, Sr.
Joseph T. Bradbury, Associate Editor
36 Claremon Rd.
Dalton MA 01226
BANDWAGON The Journal of the Circus Historical Society (USPS 406-390) (ISSN 0005 4968),
is published bi-monthly. Second class postage paid at Columbus, OH. Editorial, advertising and
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CIRCUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY -Fred Dahlinger, Jr., President, 451 Roblee Rd., Baraboo, WI Sarasota, FL 34234
53913; Richard J. Reynolds III, Vice President, 1186 Warrenhall La. NE, Atlanta, GA. 30319; Dale
C. Haynes, Secretary -Treasurer, 3477 Vienna Ct., Westerville, OH 43081. Doris M. Menkel 3856
DIRECTORS: Div. 1 -Fred D. Pfening, Jr., 2515 Dorset Rd., Columbus, OH 43221 (Ohio -Mich. - P. O. Box 195
Ind.); Div. 2 -Copeland MacAllister, 30 Salem End Rd., #2A, Framingham, MA 01701 (N.H.-Maine-
Rutherforfd NJ 000-1951
Vt.-Mass.-Ct.-Del.-R.1.); Div. 3 -William L. Rhodes, 2528 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40205 (N.Y.-
N.J.-Pa.-Md.-D.C.-Va.-W. Va.-Ky.); Div. 4 -Joseph T. Bradbury, 1453 Ashwoody Ct., N.E., Atlanta,
GA 30319 (N.C.-S.C.-Ga.-Ala..-Fla.-Miss.-Tenn.-Ark.-La.); Div. 5 -Guy J. Fiorenza, P. O. Box 12, Gale D. Hicks 3857
Rockford, IL 61105 (Wis.-Ill.-Minn.-Iowa-Mo.); Div. 6 -Orin C. King, 5225 SW 20 Terrace #302, To-
P. O. Box 1
peka, KS 66604 (N.D.-S.D.-Kan.-Neb.-Okla,-Tex.); Div. 7 -Joseph S. Rettinger, P.O. Box 20371,
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
Phoenix, AZ 85036 (Col.-Mont.-Ida.-Wyo.-N M-Utah-Nev.-Ariz.); Div. 8 -Michael D. Sporrer, 14537
N. E. 40th St. #H202, Bellevue, WA 98007 (Wa.-Ore.-Ca.-Hawaii); Div. 9 -Dr. Gordon D. Brown,
7459 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton, Alb., Can. 76G -2A5 (All countries outside the United States.) Linda K. Pritchett 3858
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write to the Bandwagon, 2515 Dorset Rd., ochran GA 31014
THIS MONTH'S COVER
Columbus, Ohio 43221.
The cover photo was taken by Harry At- 1993 CHS ELECTION RESULTS Henry Penndorf 3859
well on the Sells-Floto Circus in 1929. The 55 Franklin Ave,
hippo Tambon was bought by that show in President New Rochette NY 10805
1910. Tambon remained with the Floto Fred Dahlinger 151
Qlow when it was sold to the American Joseph Bradbury Katherine Van Ess 3860
Circus Corporation. The animal died in the Vice -President 4205 Blanch
Peru, Indiana winter quarters in 1933. Richard Reynolds III 103 Lansing, MI 48917
In 1935 the Erie Lithographing Co. used Al Stencell 46
the photo as a design for a Cole Bros. Henry Bush Cory Tibbits
cus poster that was used by that show Secretary -Treasurer 1103 Wiridge
through 1945. The photo and the poster are Dale C. Haynes 141 Peoria, IL 61614
from the Pfening Archives. Fred Dahlinger
©MR
Directors John M. Allman III
Division 1 860 Casey Key Rd.
Fred Pfening Jr. 26 Nokomis, FL 34275
Dale Riker
1
Pr, E. William Plant 1 Wayne Lewman 3863
NA 'tit Division 2 732 E. 9th St.
Copeland MacAllister 24 Davenport, IA 52803
Division 3
C William Rhodes 25 Carlos Diaz 3864
Division 4 11309 Arden
Joseph T. Bradbury 24 Livonia, MI 48150
71.0Alt"'
-wows ft NI fNIrLEIGIWIN DDe4'IRECTORY DiJvaismioens 5Dunwoody Robert G. Knapp
Guy Fiorenza 24 1351 Manor Park Ave.
A 1994 directory of the CHS membership Division 6 Lakewood OH 44107
is now available. It contains all current Orin C. King
members names, membership number and William Binz Joe Doerring
address. Division 7 P. O. Box 94444
To receive a copy of the 1994 directory Joseph Rettinger 4 Des Moines, IA 50394
2 BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994
Kendell H. Lester 3867
00 South St. RR 1 Box 285
AVAILABLE BACK
Avon, IL 61415
ISSUES OF
Michael J. Copeland, Sr. 3868
1432 Tam O'Shanter Dr.
BANDWAGON
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REINSTATED
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967 -July -Aug Nov -Dec.
Walter Vandyok
1968 -All but Jan. -Feb.
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1969 -July -Aug., Sept. -Oct.
Biloxi MS 39535 1970 -All but July -Aug., Sept. -Oct.
971 -All but May -June.
Roger L. Harris 1972 -All available.
000 Heritage St. 1973 -All but Jan.-Feb.,Nov.-Dec.
Springfield, OH 45503-1600 974 -All but Mar-Ap.; May -June.
1975 -All available.
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James R. Evans
1977 -All but Mar.-Ap.
10640 Lousia Rd.
1978 -All available.
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1979 -All but Jan. -Feb.
1980 -1986 -All available.
John Mulcahy 987 -All but Nov -Dec.
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BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994 3
PFENING III Massive big top of the Carson and
Barnes Circus in California in May. Jerry
Cash photo.
Overall, it was a good year for the example, used the headline "Circus
cus business. While the steadily im- Draws Attacks as it Tours Area" when a the spring. The Noahesque Midwestern
proving economy was probably the main tenter entered its locale. One show had to floods in the spring and early summer,
factor behind this sanguine state of af- blow a Long Island date after the town and the March blizzard in the East upset
fairs, the industry received a big boost board denied it a license after pressure schedules, hurt the box office and gener-
from the festivities surrounding the 200th from animal rightists. ally played havoc with a number of or-
anniversary of the first circus in America. There were, however, a few hopeful ganizations.
The mainstream press generated numer- signs. A court of appeals in Toronto In spite of problems, some companies
ous articles on the commemoration, some struck down a law passed in 1992 by the reported record or near record grosses.
cities celebrated the event, and many Toronto city council which prevented few new shows took to the road, and only
shows incorporated the theme into their cuses playing the city from using exotic a single big one failed. The trend toward
performances. The anniversary's high animals. Suit was brought by the Toronto better lighting, costumes and greater em-
point occurred on April 6 when the post Sky Dome, Garden Bros. Circus, and phasis on the theatrical aspects of the per-
office issued four circus stamps at the Ringling-Barnum. Circus fans became formance continued. One show even
Smithsonian Institution's new National more aggressive in countering the animal kered with the sacrosanct size of the ring,
Postal Museum in Washington. The first welfarists. They organized a letter writing creating one huge elliptical barrier for
day of issue speakers included Kenneth campaign to protest the Fish and Wildlife part of its presentation. Traditionalists be-
Feld, president of Ringling-Barnum, and proposals, and in at least one instance moaned the increased use of computer-
Greg Parkinson, director of the Circus passed out pro -circus brochures in op- ized music systems as live bands main-
World Museum. King Tusk, Ringling- position to the animal lovers' leaflets. tained their decline.
Barnum's giant tusker, cancelled the first Other problems vexed the industry. The outdoor branch of the business,
stamp, surrounded by wagons from the Criticism of the practice of phone pro- tented and otherwise, while no longer the
Baraboo museum. While the stamps motion, the selling of circus tickets over dominant format, was still a highly
themselves-depicting a female aerialist, a the telephone, persisted as a few shows ible and viable means of exhibition. With
ringmaster, a clown and an elephant -- generated bad press on this issue. The some notable exceptions the tenters were
were criticized for their modernistic art- safety of circus seating was in the news, a small town and suburban phenomenon
work, they nevertheless helped leg especially after a bleacher collapse in as metropolises generally saw their
itimized the circus as an American in- cuses indoors. The big top continued to
stitution, and made millions more circus Carson and Barnes elephant Barbara hold a strong grip on the American
conscious. pulling stakes while manager Geary Byrd, psyche, so much so that tents and circuses
The seemingly endless assault from an- in left front, looks on at Franklin, Indiana were still linked together by the general
imal rights fanatics ocntinued many on September 11. Bill Rhodes photo. public even though many if not most peo
fronts. The U. S. Fish and Wild- ple had not seen a show un-
life Service proposed reg der a pavilion in years.
lations limiting the exhibition The Carson and Barnes
of exotic animals on circuses. Circus, headed by D. R. Mill-
The California Assembly con- er and his family, opened in
i
sidered legislation to prohibit Paris, Texas on March 20,
chaining elephants for more and, taking Horace Greeley's
than two hours a day in perma- advice, soon headed west,
nent facilities. Circuses were reaching California on April
routinely picketed by animal 18. After a fifty-six day so-
rights groups, particularly in journ in that state, it moved
the East where disturbing signs into Oregon, Washington
of a hostile press surfaced. A and the Big Sky states before
New England newspaper reaching the upper Midwest
4 BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994
was a notable addition to and had a Chinese interpreter translate
the performance. Emigrating the announcing and the coloring book
from the Netherlands, they pitch.
joined the show at McMinnille, Beatty -Cole bought a new big top from
Oregon on June 19, and started Anchor, a 144 foot round with three 45
earning their keep at Port Or- foot center pieces. Under it appeared a
chard, Washington a few days strong performance which included Khris
later. Allen with the Marcan tigers, Venko Li-
The menagerie, a glorious lov's bears, the Quiros on the high wire,
throwback to the great travel- the Flying Rodriguez, Dawnita and Bon-
ing zoos circuses carried early nie Bale with liberty horses, Fred Logan
in the century, included twenty- with the elephants, and Sean Thomas in
one elephants, a hippo, a rhino, Elvin Bale's cannon. James Haverstrom
a giraffe, camels, a llama, a gua- led an eight piece band, and Jimmy James
naco, and other species. The rhi- was ringmaster. Eight clowns provided
no and hippo were new to the the mirth.
Carson and Barnes giraffe in the walk - show, the ones from the previous season An innovation was the self -described
around at Kennesaw, Georgia on October being traded in for newer models. Amy, Contiguous Etruscan Circusphere in
25. Animal was new to show in 1993. one of the show's elephants, spent the which the ring curbs were rearranged
Richard J. Reynolds photo. year at John Cuneo's compound in Grays-
lake, Illinois for breeding purposes. Un-
in late July. The trek back to its winter lair fortunately, the calf was stillborn on De-
in Hugo, Oklahoma began in early Oc- cember 7.
tober through the deep South before clos- The Clyde Beatty -Cole Bros. Circus, the
ing up shop at Vivian, Louisiana on No- other big touring tenter, started in its
vember 14. By all accounts, the overall home town of Deland, Florida on March
box office was excellent. 25. Playing its traditional route, the show
This marvel of efficiency was the last of moved up the Atlantic seaboard, reaching
the giant one night stand aggregations Maryland on May 12. The rest of the
which were once as plentiful as drive-in spring and summer were spent in New
theaters. Only eight two day stands were York, the mid -Atlantic states, and New
made, the remainder being one dayers. England before heading back home
The odometers registered a hair under through the deep South. The tour's finale
15,000 miles during the tour with about was at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on
64 miles being added each day on aver- November 21.
age. Forty-two show -owned vehicles Traveling on 27 show -owned steering
moved the company. wheels, the tires covered a little over
The five ring performance appeared 10,000 miles during the season. This was a
under a 120 foot round top tent with five two night stand circus; it had 54 of them,
40 foot and two 15 foot middle sections. most of the rest being three to seven days
The presentation was similar to the pre- in length. Only nine one day engage-
vious year's with Luciana Loyal, bareback ments were played. Co-owner John Pugh Banner at New York City's Lincoln Cen-
rider; the Flying Cavallinis and the Flying had back surgery soon after the season ter advertising Big Apple's winter pro-
Ramirez; Donnie Carr with the elephants; began. Doug Holwadel, the other owner, duction, "Carnevale in Venice." Paul Gu-
William Bradley Jewell with the cats; and and the new general manager Royce theil photo.
two wheels of death. Ross Raborn was the Voight took up the slack until his return
ringmaster. in July. into an eclipse covering the entire arena
A liberty act with six Friesian stallions The show was cleared of any wrong do- for the second half of the performance,
ing after a drunk was killed when he thus making one large "ring" instead of
Beatty -Cole ticket semi at Deland, Flor- jumped a fence to pet one of the elephants the usual three smaller ones. It allowed
ida opening in late March. Jerry Cash in Fishkill, New York on June 5. Danbury, acts to break out of the confines of the
photo. Connecticut, home of circus pioneer Aa- standard ring. Logan's ten elephants. for
ron Turner, was a example, were able to work as one unit
red one on June 9-11 for the first time, thereby giving the audi-
with all six per- ence a different sense of the bulls' mas-
formances needing siveness.
straw; a seventh The Big Apple Circus, the tented one
show could have ring miracle from the heart of Manhattan,
also sold out. Cul- started trouping in Brooklyn in late
tural Diversity Up- March. A month long engagement in Bos-
date: When the com- ton followed before a series of May and
pany appeared on June dates in the New York City area. The
the parking lot of big jump to Columbus was next, after
Flushing, New which it headed back East before the sum-
York's Shea Stadium mer tour's swan song at Shelburne, Ver-
in late July, it ran mont on August 1. The winter season be-
ads in Chinese lan- gan with about twenty days near
guage newspapers Washington, D. C., followed by the great,
BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994 5
New Circus Vargas European style big didn't go into the Midwest. The season Allan C. Hill's Great American Circus on
top at Hollywood Park, California on June was financially tough. Before mid -season the lot at Naples, Florida on January 7
20. Jerry Cash photo. the title "Vargas" was painted over on vir- during its winter mini -tour of the state. Joe
tually every piece of equipment. Bradbury photo.
glorious run in New York City's Lincoln The show utilized a new European
Center from October 21 until January 9, style big top and a new seating system Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal based
1994. with plastic seats. The one ring per- new waver, had its tent up almost the en-
The spring and summer performance formance de-emphasized animal acts; in- tire year. Starting in Costa Mesa, Cal-
was a reprise of the 1992 winter offering. deed, Kay Rosaire with her cats, and Col. ifornia in late January, it made what must
Entitled "Coin' Places," it featured three Joe the elephant were the only routines have been the longest jump in North
generations of the Schumann family in with animals. The rest of bulls, with the American field show history when it
the ring as father Max joined daughter exception of two ride elephants, were transversed the continent for its next
Katja and granddaughter Katherine Schu- farmed out to other showmen with Rex stand in New York City. Afterwards it ap-
mann Binder in a dressage number. Other Williams and Chip Arthur each having a peared in Toronto, Chicago, Boston
actors included Johnny Peers with his herd. A highlight of the performance was and Washington before closing in Atlanta
dogs, the Egorov troupe in a casting act, Rebecca Perez in a sensational single tra- in late December.
Vladimir Tsarkov in a combination jug- peze turn. Other acts included the Ramos With the production values and ticket
gling -contortion routine, and Buckles troupe on the perch pole, the Flying Rod- prices of a Times Square musical, the
Woodcock with the elephants. ogels, and Manfried Friesch in a comedy show drew its audience from up scale
"Carnevale in Venice," the new pro- bungee routine. NAFTA update: Col. Joe adults rather than blue collar kids. En-
duction, maintained the exacting stan- was exported to Mexico City at year's end titled "Saltimbanco," which loosely trans-
dards of previous editions as the lighting, to work the Circo Atayde Hnos. Christ- lated to "street performer," the production
pacing, music, costumes and mix of acts mas engagement which ran until Feb- included contortion, trapeze, the Russian
were all a cut above the rest of the busi- ruary 6, 1994. swing, tight rope walking, hand bal-
ness. Among the features were the Collins ancing, clowning-and no animals-all ac-
brothers in a comedy trapeze turn, Jeanette Williams working liberty hors- companied by New Age music, costumes
clowns Ramano and Alfredo Co- es at Circus Williams Althoff's opener for and lighting. The overall effect was a
lombaioni, the Shenyang acrobatic troupe the Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Indiana weird melding of Sarasota and Broadway
in an aerial routine, Katja and Max Schu- in late June. Sheelagh Jones photo. that baffled traditionalists but appealed to
mann with liberty horses, juggler Serge yuppies who wouldn't attend Carson and
Percelly, and Ben and Darlene Williams Barnes if it fell on them.
with the Woodcock elephants. Linda Soleil's second unit spent the year at
Eludes, the Karl King of the 1990s, com- Steve Wynn's Mirage Casino in Las Ve-
posed much of the show's music. Founder gas. Entitled 'The Nouvelle Experience,"
Paul Binder was ringmaster and Rik Al- the show appeared in a tent behind the
bani led the first rate band. hotel. It featured typical Soleil fare such
The company, a not for profit corpora- as slack wire walking, hand balancing
tion, received a Challenge Grant from the and the like.
National Endowment for the Arts for Circus Williams Althoff had a ruinous
$235,000. The ten days the show appeared year. After a series of Florida dates start-
in Columbus was that town's record for a ing in early March, some of them for fairs,
tented circus. While business was off, ev- trouble hit at Brook Park, Ohio, near
idence of why no previous circus had Cleveland, on April 3, when 47 people
played there that long, two highlights of were injured when a portion of the
the stand were visits by Gunther Gebel - show's seating collapsed. The company
Williams and Smokey Jones. regrouped, and worked dates in the Mid-
Circus Vargas, headed by Roland Kai- west in May and June.
ser and Joe Muscarello, opened in Ar- The other shoe dropped in early July,
izona in early February and soon headed about three weeks after starting a string
to its traditional stomping grounds in Cal- of dates for Peru, Indiana's Circus Hall of
ifornia where it spent almost the entire Fame, when the show abruptly closed. It
season making multiple day stands before deserved better. Jeanette Williams, the
ending the year at Oxnard on November sole owner of the circus after severing her
21. It was the first time in years the show partnership with Jacki Althoff in Feb -
6 BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994
ruary, had excellent equipment and a first The show was
class performance. Early in 1994 the show haunted by the Feb-
sought protection under chapter 7 of the ruary 1992 incident
Bankruptcy Code. in which an elephant
The ill-fated Hall of Fame run was un- went berserk and
der a one ring Cannobio top seating 2500. was subsequently put
The in -ring talent included the Williams - down as animal
Loyal riders featuring Timi Loyal, Phil rights activists and
* MAIN TRANCE
and Francine Schacht with Dondi the el- anti -circus journal-
ephant, Lilli-Ana Kristensen with a cage ists, particularly in
act, Caroline Williams with a big and little the East, kept raising
horse routine, and Men in Design, a hand the issue. Difficulties
balancing turn. John Wilson was ring- with state inspectors
master; Leigh Ketchum led a three piece in New England, and
band; and Dusty Sadler was the clown. legal problems aris-
ing from phone solicitation also vexed the Entrance to Roberts Bros. Circus in
The Great American Circus frolicked in company. After the season, the circus sold Maine during the summer. Fred Campbell
Florida from January 6 to February 4 be- its elephants to Gopher Davenport, a sig- photo.
fore starting the regular season on Feb- nal that the tour did not meet financial ex-
ruary 26 in that state. After playing the pectations. On a happier note, Hill was The performance was similar to the pre-
deep South early in the tour the show honored by the Ringling Museum of the vious year's with Yvonne Stephens with
went into the Midwest in the spring, ap- Circus in February. pot bellied pigs, Heidi Casady on Roman
pearing in Iowa and Minnesota for the The Kelly Miller Circus started in its rings, Curt and Heidi Casady on trapeze,
first time. Much of the summer was spent home town of Hugo, Oklahoma on March and Ken "Turtle" Benson with a whip
in the mid -Atlantic and New England re- 20. It immediately went into Texas, then cracking routine and the elephant Lisa
gions before heading back home to Flor- headed east, and eventually north, reach- who was leased from D. R. Miller. Bill
ida where the itinerary ended on No- ing the Ohio by way of Dixie on May 11. Schreiber was the ringmaster and pre-
vember 6. After dates in West Virginia, Maryland, sented liberty ponies. Like a number of its
The show had a new big top, an 80 foot Pennsylvania, and Ohio again, almost all competitors, the company invested in a
round with one 40 foot and two 30 foot of July was spent in Michigan. It then new big top. The approximately sixty em-
middles from A-1 Tent in Sarasota, Flor- moved to Ontario for a little over four ployees of the troupe moved on eight
ida. The midway had a concession stand, weeks. Returning to the States on Sep- show -owned vehicles and about a dozen
pony sweep, elephant ride, moon tember 2, it played the Midwest, Border, privately owned ones.
bounce, and a petting zoo with goats and and Plains states before heading for the Franzen Brothers Circus initiated
sheep. Everything moved behind nine barn on the last day of October. things in Florida in early April and closed
show -owned trucks. This one had a new Scola Teloni tent. there in mid -November. In between, it
Brian La Palme was the announcer, in- Actors included James "Dutch" Crawford ginned out the South, Midwest, and East.
troducing, among others, Lou Rossell with six liberty horses, Ron and Chris Its midway was typical of small tenters: a
with her leopard act, Donna Moos in a Pace in perch pole and aerial cradle rou- pony sweep, petting zoo, elephant ride,
cloud swing, Jorge Rossell with his com- tines, Wolfgang Bruno with the elephants, and a concession trailer.
edy car, and David Hazlett with two Af- Marie France with ten Yorkies, and Greg Owner Wayne Franzen, one of the
rican elephants. At the regular season's Hefner and Kim Wong in a cradle act. hardest workers in the business, had an
opener in late February, owner Allan William Rawls, brother of manager David eight tiger act, and a liberty pony routine
Hill's twelve year old daughter Heather Rawls, was ringmaster. Marshall Eckel - in the performance. Others arenic dis-
debuted on the single trapeze with her man led a three piece band. plays included Casey Cainen with a rola
proud father as under stander. The Roberts Bros. Circus began romping in bola turn, juggling, and a camel and llama
younger Hill had been trained by trapeze Florida in late March. By early May it was display; the Ayala sisters in a double tra-
legend La Norma Fox. in the mid -Atlantic states, and after an peze exhibition; and Brian Franzen with
early summer swing through Ohio, pro- three elephants, an Asian and two Af-
David Rawls, Kelly Miller manager (r.) ceeded to New England for an extensive ricans. Eric James was ringmaster and
checks Nina for missing tooth. One was tour. The season ended in Florida in late
found in the truck that morning and the October. Owned and managed by Doris Concession trailer of Culpepper and
show was trying to determine which el- Earl and her family, the company cel- Merriweather Circus in California in April.
ephant dropped it. Bill Rhodes photo. ebrated its twentieth season. Jerry Cash photo.
BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994 7
performed an illusion act. The two and a monkey, a dog, and cats. He
quarter hour presentation was ac- also presented his unique pea-
\s'S
companied by a two piece live band, cock routine, llamas at liberty,
something of a rarity anymore. and a camel and horse num- C LDS 11.;
The Culpepper and Merriweather Cir- ber. Bobby and Rosa Gibbs r CUICVS e5tk,
cus opened its ticket wagon on March 7 in with the Don Johnson el-
MAIN ENTRANCE °1.
Arizona, playing that state and California ephants joined the show in
through May 20 when the aggregation time for the Alaskan trek.
headed into Oregon, Washington, and the Gibbs also was the ringmaster,
Big Sky states. In late June it made a three which must have been like
day jump, an oddity, from Wyoming to Il- watching Van Gogh paint.
linois as a prelude to a run in the Chicago King Royal had an im-
area. Other Midwestern engagements fol- pressive animal inventory
lowed before heading to the Southwest which included five elephants,
with the tent being taken down for the a giraffe, a dozen llamas, ten
last time in Payson, Arizona on October peacocks, a leopard, five tigers, three li- New tent and marquee of Vidbel's Olde
16. ons, twenty snakes, fourteen ponies, two Tyme Circus at Maplewood, New Jersey
Managed by Red Johnson, this one zebras, a reindeer, assorted goats, sheep on the 4th of July. Paul Gutheil photo.
traveled on seven show -owned steering and pot bellied pigs, and one horse. When
wheels. Spring rains in the West created the troupe played Dillon, Montana on Au- Naughtin was show manager and Jim
problems, and later the tent blew down in gust 27, Gibbs and the five elephants laid Miller led the band.
the Wisconsin wind. The midway had a a wreath on the grave of Pitt, a Cole Bros. The winter show, an indoor presenta-
moon bounce, elephant ride, pony sweep, elephant who died after being struck by tion called the Mark Charles Holiday Re-
petting zoo, and combined ticket wagon lightning, to commemorate the 50th an- vue, had the Hansen family in their roller
and concession trailer. The show was one niversary of the tragedy. skating routine, juggler Shane Hansen,
of the host circuses to April's Circus Fans Bentley Bros. Circus, owned by Tommy the Diane Wilson seals, Dana Allen with
Association convention in Los Angeles, Bentley and Chuck Clancey, had four birds, the Fabulous Darnells with illu-
and in July appeared for Delavan, Wis- tours in 1993. The first was a group of un- sions, and variety performer Sonny Fon-
consin's annual Circus Days festival. der canvas dates in Florida for most of tana whose act consisted of hand shad-
Among the kinkers were Heidi Wen- February and March. The second per- ows of animals and celebrities.
dany who worked dogs, and her dressage ambulation, a three ring, open air ex- Allen Bros. Circus debuted in the Lone
horse Excalibur; Ken Taylor on single tra- travaganza, ran from early April to mid - Star State in early March, camping
peze, the upside down loop walk, and in June in New Mexico, California and Ar- through the South and the Midwest in the
a fire eating routine; the Kiss family in izona. The summer grandstand tour went spring. Summer found the troupe in the
their excellent hand balancing turn; Ter- from late June to mid -September in the Midwest and East before returning to
rell Jacobs 111 with a mule and dog, and Midwest, East, and upper South. The year Texas where the generators were shut off
with liberty ponies; Lynn Jacobs on the concluded with a Christmas march in the for the last time on November 13.
Spanish web; and James Zaichek with East. The core spring and summer dates Under the big top appeared Ron and
Barbara the elephant. Dean Gerard was were often sponsored by police and fire Robin Dykes in a cradle act, on unicycles,
ringmaster. fighter groups. and in a slack wire routine; Scott Taylor
The King Royal Circus concluded a Actors with the summer edition were with snakes; and Joseph Browowitz with
tour of Hawaii in January. Back on the Bruno Blaszak with his cats; the Hall fam- the cats and elephants. Earlynn Bedford,
mainland, the show was in the West in ily on unicycles; Golda Ashton and her wife of owner Allen Bedford, occasionally
the spring before sailing from Bellingham daughters on rolling globes; George Allen worked the cat act. As was commonplace,
Washington for Alaska on July 4 where on single trapeze; Diane Moyer with hors- ringmaster Phil Chandler also performed
the show appeared for about a month. es, dogs, and elephants; the Posso family illusions.
Dates in the Mountain, Plains, and South- on the high wire; Jim and Tepa Hall with Moving on eleven show -owned ve-
west states followed, the company going bears and the Flying Gaonas. Wally hicles, the troupe expanded its route, in-
as far cast as Arkansas and Missouri. It vading New York state for the first time.
went into quarters after playing Dublin, One of Allen Bros. new seat wagons at New equipment included a pavilion from
Texas on November 15. Owner John "Go- Owenton, Kentucky on April 25. Bill Sarasota's A-1 Tent, which was ap-
pher" Davenport split the show in Alaska, Rhodes photo. proximately 90 feet by 130 feet, and four
calling the second unit Ford seat wagons. The midway
law
Bros., and did the same had a pony ride, petting
thing late in the season, this zoo, moon bounce, and
time calling the second of- concession trailer. Overall
fering the R. J. King Circus. the year was good at the
The show had a new tent, box office, although spring
an 80 foot round top with rains in the Midwest
two 30 foot and one 40 foot caused problems.
middle sections. Under it Vidbel's Olde Tyme Cir-
appeared the juggling Null cus opened in late April
sisters, trick rope and whip and closed in early Oc-
cracker Tex Hill, and single tober after wandering
trapeze artiste Gee Gee through nine mid -Atlantic
Davenport. Bela Tabak states and New England.
worked a mixed act with At the Somers, New York
birds, a skunk, a pig, a premier the show par -
8 BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994
Walker Bros. Circus on lot in Sugar Phills Bros. Circus on lot during the
Creek, Ohio. Norman Vodrey photo. summer. Paul Gutheil photo.
ticipated in a parade which passed the the ringmaster and performed magic, and
venerable Elephant Hotel built by me- Ian Charles was the clown. The music
nagerie pioneer Hackaliah Bailey. was recorded.
This one ring tenter had a strong per- Phills Bros. Circus rom through the
ormance that included Jeanette Rix with East for twenty weeks starting in late
her bears, Jennifer Vidbel with liberty po- May. The Valencias family put on much
nies, Susan Vidbel with a bird act, Tracy of the show: William did a musical clown
Bannister in an aerial routine Bill Ba turn, Enrico rola bolaed, Dulia and Mar-
nister with his dogs, and the Jorge Bar- garet exhibited birds, Margaret presented
reda elephants. Billy Martin was ring a solo poodle act, Lynn worked a single
master. When Barreda was late for the trapeze routine, and the whole clan tram-
opener because of problems with his polined. In addition, Tom Demry worked
semi, Billy Commerford filled in with an snakes, ate fire, and presented Anna
African bull named Karen. The troupe, Louise the elephant. Owned by Bill and
headed by Al and Joyce Vidbel, moved on Martha Phillips the one ringer had
five trucks. blow down in Union Beach, New Jersey.
Reid Bros. Circus fulfilled itS usual Col. Mel's Old West Circus, a new en-
route. After starting in Oregon in Elvis impersonator Don Clement on try, hurrahed for most of October in four
late April it transferred to the Mountain Col. Mel's Old West Circus in Georgia in southern states. Owned by Pat Guthrie
and Plains states before the finale in October. Ray Gronso photo. and Jeff McPherson the outfit was side
nesota in late une. The fall Texas dates using the old Toby Tyler Circus
ran from mid -September to early October. ing Wallendas; aerialist Sacha Pavlata; seat wagons which were covered by can-
Appearing under auspices for police o clown Larry Pinsoni; and Flora the el- vas, giving the lay -out the feeling of a mi-
ganizations, this one used both tents and phant. cro -wild west show. Ringmaster Bobby
grandstands as venues. Among the actors The company conducted a summer day Fairchild doubled in brass by doing an il-
on the spring dates were Wilson Barnes camp teaching circus skills in St. Louis in lusion routine and a whip cracking act.
with the Don Johnson tigers Adolpho June and July. A non-profit corporation, it Also on the bill were Myrna Ratcliff with
Ponce on the low wire, Eddie Steeples received a National Endowment for the her dogs, and clown Lucky Crabbs.
with his chimps Tahar with his alligators, Arts matching grant for $50000. The Shades of Tiny Tim Department: Show's
the Flying Rameriz, and Bobby and Rosa show had a tough year as ticket sales in
Gibbs with the Don Johnson elephants. St. Louis were down, and the big top was The Great Wallenda Circus at its first
Bobby Gibbs doubled as ringmaster. The severely damaged in a storm. tented engagement in Sarasota, Florida
Texas line-up was similar although Doug Walker Bros. Circus headed by Johnny at the first of the year. Fred Pfening, Jr.
Terranova with his elephant Kamba and Walker, toured from March through Sep photo.
ringmaster John Fugate substituted for tember in the South,
the Gibbses. Midwest and East.
Circus Flora the St. Louis based new Appearing under
waver, played its home town in the the 1500 seatbig top
spring and the fall, and late in the year were the Dun-
appeared in Sacramento and Scottsdale, derdales in a three
Arizona, closing in the latter town on Jan- person rola bola
uary 2, 1994. Headed by David 13alding, routine, a knock-
the tenter continued the saga of the Bal- about comedy num-
dini family's adventures in 19th century ber and a juggling
America. This year's installment was en- act; Mike Rice with
titled California: The Journeys End" with Pulsar, a dressage
a performance that went back and forth Gayle and
between the story line and traditional Franklyn Murray
sawdust routines. Highlights of the al- with two Asiatic el-
ways intriguing presentation included a phants; and Catia
big eighteen person riding act with seven Meluzzi on web.
orses heading by James Zoppe; the Fly - Dick Johnson was
BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994 9
Church. While this gler Dario Vazquez, websters Darlene
single ringer doubt- Williams and Lynn Polke, the acrobatic
less had an extensive Vita family, and Gary and Kari Johnson
route and one hopes with their elephant Tai. David Burnham
a pleasant season, it was ringmaster, and Bill Payne was band-
garnered hardly any master.
coverage in the trade Rudy Bros. Circus had a string of
and fan press. What grandstand dates in the Midwest in June.
little there was said After the show had a larry in Franklin,
that the first tour Pennsylvania on June 3-4, it blew a stand
started on January in Mercer, Pennsylvania. Eaton, Ohio was
10 in Florida and ran next, followed by an open air date for a
until March. It later synagogue in Detroit. Beefs resulted from
reopened, playing the Detroit engagement as the sponsor
inner city Baltimore, didn't pay off, which led to blowing at
campgrounds in Vir- least two subsequent dates, after which
The Alain Zerbini Circus was new in ginia and doubtless elsewhere. In a rarity, the show apparently terminated the sea-
1993. Tent and ubiquitous moon bounce Circo Vasquez, a Mexican troupe, crossed son. Among the actors on this death
shown on a New Jersey lot. Paul Gutheil the border into Texas for three dates, each march were clown Middy Streeter, Irvin
photo. running three days to a week. The show Hall with his baboons and unicycle rou-
moved on ten trucks and carried three el- tines, Gza Gza and Jeff Bruski with their
headliner was Don Clement, an Elvis ephants. bird act, and Bobby Cline with his tigers.
Presley imitator, who was apparently The Alain Zerbini Circus inaugurated Eighty-one year old co-owner Rudy Ja-
quite good. Veteran Jack Gobble was its maiden season with an under canvas cobi was ringmaster. Roy and Cindy
manager. show, called Circus
The Great Wallenda Circus entered the in the Sand, at a Ma-
exalted ranks of tenters on the first day of ryland amusement
1993 when it appeared at a Sarasota RV park during the sum-
park under a top acquired from Bentley mer. The two ring,
Bros. Other tented dates followed, as did forty minute show
a number of indoor engagements for featured Betty Naud
Shrines, Grottos, and police groups. This with the Lancelot
one worked mostly in the Midwest and Link Chimps, Joanne
South, mainly in the spring and fall. At Wilson with Suzy the
the Cleveland Grotto in April the arenic elephant and poo-
features were Baron Julius Von Uhl with dles, and owner
his cats, Rietta Wallenda in an aerial rou- Alain Zerbini in a
tine, the Murillo troupe on the tee- sword balancing rou-
terboard, the Zamperla troupe on uni- tine. Ringmaster
cycles, Happy Davis with his comedy car, John Frazier also did
juggler Justino Zoppe, Davide Zoppe a rope spinning act.
with his Rhesus monkeys, Susan Sheryll's In mid -September the troupe went on Musical comedy number on Rudy Bros.
Afghans, and the Great Wallendas on the the road, playing the mid -Atlantic states Circus in front of an Eaton, Ohio grand-
high wire. Show owners Enrico and Deb- for about two weeks. Frazier was road stand on June 8. Al Conover photo.
bie Wallenda spent much of the summer manager, and the Wilson sisters pre-
performing at Sea World in Aurora, Ohio. sented most of the acts. It moved on a sin- Wells and some of John Cuneo's el-
The Royal Lichtenstein Circus, founded gle show -owned truck and used a 70 foot ephants augmented the Detroit program.
by Jesuit Priest Nick Weber, was a side round top tent with two 30 foot middle Circuses which sold their product in-
walled outreach effort by the Catholic sections. doors constituted the largest segment of
The L. A. Circus was a non-profit side the market. These aggregations played
Young tumblers on side walled L. A. walled company which had a number of every sized locale in every part of the con-
Circus during CFA convention in Los An- intermittent dates in and around its tinent from New York City, New York's
geles in April. Fred Pfening, Jr. photo. namesake city. Founded by Wini McKay, Madison Square Garden to Parts Un-
Dick Monday, and known, Nebraska's grade school gym.
Doug Lyon, this out- These shows, often maligned for not rep-
fit performed in resenting "real" circus, became the back
downtown Los An- bone of the business years ago, and pro-
geles for the Circus vided more employment than any other
Fans Association type of circusing. So strong was this area's
convention in April. growth that it changed the industry's ca -
In early October it ex- lender, making the early months of the
hibited for a hospital year a more active period than the sum-
in the San Fernando mer months. Unquestionably more peo-
Valley where the ac- ple witnessed performances indoors than
tors included clowns out, a commentary on both the changing
Dick Monday and nature of American society, and the abil-
Jeff Hess, foot juggler ity of show executives to adjust to new
Chester Cable, jug- conditions.
1 0 BANDWAGON/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1994