6th Year September 5, 1977 Number 36

Film Plans SetReports that a major motion picture will be filmed on the Carson & Barnes Circus were con-

firmed last week by D. R. Miller, president and owner of the circus. Officials from an importantMexican film studio have been meeting with Miller, who says that he is almost 100% certain thedeal will go through.

Two big American stars and several important Mexican stars will be featured in the movie.The story concerns a Mexican act that starts in a small circus and then migrates to the U. S. andis featured in a big American show. Basically the story is a rags to riches theme, and will includesex, mystery,ilove and lust, something that is expected to sell in a world-wide market.

The filming will cover a period of six toeight weeks during the 1978 season. The showtitle will be used and as a result none of theequipment will have to be relettered. Membersof the Miller family and many staff officialswill have parts in the film.

The project is being sub-sponsored by the

INSIDECircus owner Otto Berosini is exonerated of allcruelty to animal charges. See story on Page 3.

Mexican Government. It will be made in bothEnglish and Spanish for full world-wide distri-bution.

AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

HOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTSContact

PAUL V. KAYESuite 519 • 1680 North Vine Street • Hollywood, California •

Area Code 213 • 462-600190028

Page 2 September 5, 1977

U.S. Acts to ProtectCaptive Sea Mammals

The Dept. of Agriculture is proposing new reg-ulations for the care and feeding of sea mam-mals in captivity. The regulations wil l coverpolar bears, sea otters, whales, porpoises, seals,sea lions and walruses.

The Federal Marine Mammal Commission hasrecommended a set of standards that the de-partment has proposed as Federal regulations.

The design and construction of tanks and otherfacilities are covered in detail, along with wastedisposal systems, lighting, pest control, ventila-tion, the amount of salt and bacteria in the wa-ter and how much time the animals can spendin transit.

Comments are invited and should be sent to theDeputy Administrator, Veterinary Services,Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,Dept. of Agriculture, 6506 Bellcrest Road,Hyattsville, Md. 20782.

A V A I L A B L E FOR WINTER DATES

Pucker'sPerforming Animals

RUCKERS K-NINES

UNCLE RALPH'S BARNYARD REVUE

Two Colorful and Comical Animal Actsto spruce up any show

Both acts are clean and well cared for

For Information Contact

RALPH RUCKER

11154 Phillippi AvenuePacoima, Calif. - 91331

AGENTS TO BOOK TENT CIRCUS

- Jesse A. Jessen -

1 - 800 - 824 - 5136 Ext. A 20641-800 852 - 7631 Calif. Only

YEARS AGOThis week's Stark (Fla.) newspaper (Aug. 20)tarries a four column illustration of the big1903 Street Fair, with a carved band wagonheading the parade. A few small concession toptops are visable as are three one-sheet dates in awindow for another show. A day and date forJan. 18th.

The big attractions were "The Old Plantation"(minstrel show) and the Electric Theatre, pre-sumably a movie of that era.

Many caravans did make a pretence of parad-ing, the writer recalls the J. P. Murphy Produc-ing Company making a downtown trip with amakeshift circus type band wagon and a localband tooting away at circus gallops.

. Art "Doc" Miller

FAIR ACTSActs appearing at the Erie County Fair (Ham-burg, N.Y.) on Aug. 22-26 included:Doubleday & Co., gorilla parody; The Burgers,chimps and dogs; Johnny Luxem, space wheel;Los Comancheros, double trapeze; The Star-dusters, high act.Music was provided by Florine and Phil Oler.The date was produced by Wes Oler.

A I R S T R E A M - A R G O S Y

F A N T R A V E L T R A I L E R S

A R G O S Y M O T O R H O M E S

Special prices for show peoplea t John M a r o o n e ' s , 2250 W a i -den Ave . , B u f f a l o , N . Y . 14225.Con tac t : John Maroone (716)681-1700.

An authorized Airstream and Argosydealer.

The Circus Report Page 3

Berosini To Keep AnimalsCircus owner Otto Berosini has been exonerat-ed of all charges of cruelty to animals by Man-tee County (Fla.) Judge Claflin Garst. A llama,camel, Siberian tiger and mule, plus severalhorses and ponies were impounded on Aug. 4,under orders from Boots Pallister, an agent forthe Equine Rescue Service and Judge Garst saidthe animals must be returned immediately. Thepet mule died of unknown causes while in thecustody of the ERS.

After a two day hearing Judge Garst said herealized there had been conflicting reports, but"the vets and expert witnesses .. . indicatedthat there was not any cruelty to animals ormistreatment to animals." The Judge ruled thatBerosini is fit to have custody of his animals.

A variety of witnesses were placed on thestand and at least two of those appearing forthe ERS admitted they had not seen Berosinibeat his animals. Those appearing for Berosiniincluded renown trainer Jack Joyce, who saidhe had seen the animals working at the CircusHall of Fame and reported the animals had re-sponded well to their trainer. "I would com-mend him on his training," Joyce added.

Also appearing at the hearing were Mr. and Mrs.William Lee, co-directors of the Sailor Circuswho said that .Berosini does not beat his ani-mals. Lee said he had gone with Berosini to vis-it the animals after they were impounded andall were friendly. "Berosini called to the tiger

and he turned around with a gleam in his eyelike 'welcome home, dad, when are we gonna'get out of here?'"

Portuguese clown and trainer Joaquin Cruz al-so appeared in court on behalf of Berosini. Hetold the court that if Berosini had abused hisanimals they would not perform for him.

Berosini denied all the charges when he tookthe stand and he told the court how his familyhad come here from Europe and that he want-ed to have his own circus. He and his wife pur-chased animals as they traveled, training themfor various acts. He said he was bom in thecircus and is a jack of all trades.

"I love those animals," said Berosini, "the sameas my own kids. ... If I didn't like them Icould make money with my juggling and handbalancing act."

CHUCK BURNES has spent a busy summer ascompany manager for the Ice Show Spectacu-lar at Knott's Berry Farm. The show which hasplayed to more than 310,000 people features:Kathy Steele, Willy Bietak, Julie Holmes, ScottHenderson, Lucien Meyer's Skating Chimps anda 12 member skating chorus.

ANDY SWAN, of the Swan Bros. Circus, wonFirst Prize with his juggling routines on the TVshow "The Gong Show".

Everything from Gorilla Suits. Clown Shoesto Miniature Cars.

Philip Morns

COSTUMES3108 Monroe Road

Charlotte, North Carolina 28205

SEND S2.00 FOR A COMPLETE CATALOG.

ROUTESGarden-Johnson Circus

Sept. 5-6 Tyler, Texas7 Fort Worth

Carson & Barnes CircusSept. 5 Oak Lawn, 111.

6 Knox, Ind.7 Auburn

8-11 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Circus VargasSept. 5-7 Moncton, N.B.

8-13 Halifax, N.S.

Bobby Gibbs Circusto Sept. 11 Baraboo, Wise.

Hall & Christ Circus UniqueSept. 10-17 Saginaw, Mich.

Hoxie Bros. CircusSept. 5 Fords, N. J.

6 Somerset7-8 Ramsey

9 Hazlet10 Bayonne11 West New York

Hubler's Int'l CircusSept. 10 Rochester, N.Y.

Sugar City FestivalSept. 8-11 Crockett, Calif.

Hoxie's Great American CircusSept. 5 Columbia, Pa.

6 Newmanstown7 Pottstown8 Harleysville9 Laureldale

10 Newton11 Hillt own

King Bros. CircusSept. 5 Beaver Dam, Ky.

6 Shelbyville, Tenn.7 Arab, Ala.8 Albertville9 Pelham

10 Centre11 Phenix City

Martin & Downs CircusSept. 5 Montague, P.E.I.

6 Souris7 Kensington8 Alberton9 Border

10 Cap Pele, N.B.11 Richibucto

Ringling-Barnum Circus - Blue UnitAug. 31-Sept. 5 St. Louis, Mo.

Ringling-Barnum Circus - Red UnitSept. 7-11 Fresno, Calif.

Swan Bros. CircusSept. 9-11 Visalia, Calif.

Sells & Gray CircusSept. . 5 Rockford, 111.

6 Munster, Ind.7 La Salle, 111.8 Kankakee9 Manteno

10 Bloomington11 Farmington

John Strong CircusSept. 6-8 Vancouver, BC

10 Gresham, Oregon11 Albany

TNT & Royal Olympic CircusSept. 7-11 Davenport, Iowa.

BILLY MARTIN has joined the BarryMiller Troupe which consists of BAR-RY, NANCY and NORMAN MILLER.

ALLEN BABCOCK has been visitingshows in Illinois and reports that fansin the state have recently enjoyed theAll Star Int'l Circus , Carson & Barnesand Franzen Bros. Circus.

Fans seen on the lots included: JACKROSENHEIM, JIM MORAN, MIKESORRELL, BILL and EDDIE BACK-STEIN, MERLE PEPPER, JACK andCLIFF ALBEA, MAX MORRIS, Mr.and Mrs. CHARLES SCHLARBAUM,GERALD and EDITH JOHNSTON.

5 Outstanding| Feature

Acts!

UlflMTIPRWONDERPRESENTED BY REX HORTON

DAREDEVIL302 17th St.San Diego

Calif. 92101(714)238-1375

Page 5

BILLY BARTON • • * *ITWAS ONCE HOPED that CL IFF VARGAS 'successful "face-lifting" of the American tent circus would becontagious and other circuses would follow suit. Now,I am sorry to say, the majority of tenters are regressingto shabby ways. Either we have a new "paint crisis"none of us has heard about or Sherman-Williams hasclosed its doors. Certainly a lack of paint on mostshows would indicate this. While there are a number ofshows actually famous for their ragbag appearance Iwas shocked to find it so prevalent on many of the"majors". Come on, fellas, let's clean them up. Paintcovers a multitude of sins and there is a whole lot ofsinnin'goin' on.

tHROWING BOUQUETS: To BILLY and IVY GUN-GA, nice people, excellent acts and outstanding ward-robe. An asset to any show, now touring with Hoxie'sGreat American. To MIGUELITO, with Big JohnStrong, who does an unusually fine cloud swing, clos-ing with a trick l.ve never seen before (and I've seen'em all), which is a swinging-back balance coupledwith a roll-over to a one knee drop. Great!

SNAPSHOTS: During a recent get-together AERIAL-ETTA showed movies of the Polack show during the50"s which included priceless vintage shots of PR I NTCESS TAJANA in her first season, the great ROSEGOLD'S unduplicated cradle act, JANET BURGER,the FLYING H A R O L D S (Vo ise) , JENNIER 's SEALS,BARBETTE's terrific productions, and a twin perchdisplay featuring (are you ready?) MELITTA & Wl-C O N S o n one stage, G E O R G E & V ICKI HANNE-FORD on the other. Young performers standingaround were ohhing and ahhhing in disbelief. Yes, Vir-ginia, there once WAS a circus like THAT! But nomore. In the first place we just don't have that pre-ponderance of talent and in the second producers aresuffering from a severe case of the "cheapies"!...NICKBENGOR, long-time Supt. with KELLNER, is now inthe same capacity with KELLY BROS....which showhas resumed its fall tour....Kellner and Hubler feelcircuses should tour split seasons, laying off duringthe hot summer months and I agree.. . .HERBIE WEB-ER to make dates for HUBLER now that FAMOUSHUNT is in the barn Time for F R A N K and JANETB U R G E R to unveil their new Rocket Ship Chimps....speaking of that, rumor has it J E R R Y L IPKO took hischimps to South America....There are now FOURCanadian-based circuses: Martin & Downs, GardenBros., Cirque Gatini and Puck's. Getting to be quitea traffic jam, eh what?

THE CAVARETTAS REVISITED: Recently divorcedJIMMY married LAURA OLIN on July 16th. One ofthose Hollywood weddings rarely seen in our business.Hacienda owner (Terry's beau) sent a Rolls limo tochauffeur the couple to church and back to the re-ception where Pappa VINCE cheffed a meal for over80 people. MICHELE DOBRITCH reports it was aglamorous affair with everyone diving into the pooland doing all sorts of Hollywood-ish things. Newlydivorced KANDY is looking great and on the prowland cheese-caking the FLYING TERRELL'S Corral ofCuties which also includes TERRY and lovely LISACANISTRELLI. JIMMY, the lucky lad, is catching allthis pulchritude.

QUICKIES: KEITH KILLINGER, illustrious bandleaderleader and musical arranger, busy playing dates forBILL KAY and EDDIE ZACCHINI this fall...ROYALHANNEFORD-starts up its fall tour at Muncie (Ind)Sept. 16 SHAPPI plays the Texas dates....JIMMYDOUGLASS clowns and lighting (overseen by VERNWERNER) to the Dobritch Int'l Circus in Detroit(Sep. 22-25), plus the FLYING RAULS...Dobritchbooked new talent into the Spice On Ice Revue at theHacienda and has upcoming dates in California in No-vember....The LODI DUO purchased LILLI & SVENKRISTENSEN's original cradle rigging. The Kristensenswere once famous as the PLATOS, a Ringling center-ringer....RALPH SCHAPPACHER is finishing up hisFlorida showplace and it 's a stunner!....JOHN LEWISlives in a "Teepee". .. Well! it IS on wheels!....Circusbuff J E R E R O H R B A C H caught up with me on a visitto Great American, arriving in a wrecker ! (His car ob-viously elsewhere)....PHIL C H A N D L E R kids that hewill present M I C H A E L C E C E R E in 1978as "L ion -ella" (or maybe he wasn't kidding?) GIL MILLERand G E O R G E HUBLER seen visit ing Nordmark's Al lStar and Sells & Gray JIM S W A F F O R D , making awhirlwind visit East, started at Circus World, notedthe new product ion is less "Broadway" and more"Circus", that Antoinet te Concel lo, Harold Ronk andBob Harrison were overseeing the new production andthat Harold was at the microphone. Barbara Wood-cock and Mike and Janice Anas were out of the showwith injuries. Following his Florida visit, Jim spentfour days at Niagara Falls with the Michons, the Cun-eos, Jimmy Hall and Wade Burck....word has it thatCIRCUS CAROL has a lengthy West Coast tour...on

(Continued on Page 13)

Page 6 September 5, 1977

DONDI & COMPANYwith

THE APOLLO DUO- NOW B O O K I N G 1978 -

D A T E S S I G N E D T O D A T E :

Feb. 1 - 5 - L o u i s v i l l e , Ky.

Feb. 1 5 - 1 9 - W i c h i t a , Kans .

Feb. 2 1 - 2 6 - O m a h a , N e b r .

Mar . 7 - 12 - D e n v e r , Colo .

M a r . 1 6 - 1 9 - D u l u t h , M i n n .

May 1 - Sept. 5 - G u r n e e , 111.

C H I C A G O : L A S V E G A S :H. S C H U L T Z S. D O B R I T C H

N E W Y O R K : F L O R I D A :W . S H I L L I N G G . A M A N D I S

Or:

P H I L S C H A C H T5013 S t o n e h e d g e Dr ive

San ta Rosa , C a l i f . - 95405

Page?

ROUTESBaker's Marionettes

Each weekend in Los AngelesCalif.

Century 21 Shows • Blue Unitto Sept. 10 Dickson, Tenn.

Century 21 Shows • Red Unitto Sept. 10 Chattanooga, Tenn.

James H. Drew ShowsSept. 5-10 Newport, Tenn.

Foley & Burk ShowsSept. 7-11 Reno, Nev.

Ice Folliesto Sept. 11 San Francisco, Cal.

Magic Talent ShowSept. 6 Oakland, Calif.

James E. Strates ShowsSept. 9-17 York, Pa.

This Is Hawaii . . . On IceSept. 7-18 Melbourne, Aust.

Tip Top ShowsSept. 8-11 Richland Center, Wsc

40 Horse HitchSept. 9-11 Arcola, 111.

JOHNNY HERRIOTT has been working withthe Ringling-Barnum Thrill Show Unit at Co-lumbus, Ohio.

FOR SALEHANGING CRADLE & CRANE BAR

Complete With Guy Wires

$75-B A R R Y MILLER

10450 6 Mile Road, No. 156Battle Creek, Mich. - 49017

Phone: (616) 965-0058

PageS September 5, 1977

CONTRACTINGAGENTS

NORTH AMERICAN PRODUCTIONS

MAGIC TIME 'USA'

For 1978 Season

Start Immediately Top Pay

Call: MEARL JOHNSON

(814)443-4644

151 W. Union St., Somerset, Pa. 15501

The YOXALL FAMILY'S Performing Pigs, arespending the summer at Walt King's AnimalandPark in Richmond, Mich., and are breaking ina new mixed animal act, consisting of two pigs,a dog, pony and goat.

PRINCE NAJVEX, currently playing fairs forROSEMARY M A R I N O and BEVERLY HEIGH-HAM, w i l l close his "outdoor season" with aweek long engagement at the New England Har-ness Raceway at Foxboro, Mass. (Sept. 5-11)for LEO GRLIND.

BETTY WENDANY'SFUNS-A-POPPINPackage Shows to Fit Your Needs

Box 391, Sunland, Calif. - 91040(213) 352-4277 (213) 352-2454

THREE YOUNG ELEPHANT ACTAvailable After Oct. 2, 1977 -

Now Appearing WithGarden Bros. CircusGARY JOHNSON

701 W. 9th St., Corona, Cal. 91720Phone:(714)735-9531

A. C. DATEHoxie Bros. Circus came to Atlantic City, N.J.on Aug. 18th and played to two straw housesIt was a clear crisp day and both Hoxie andBetty Tucker were pleased with the result. Theyleft before the night show to head out for theGreat American Circus, playing at Lewisburg,W.Va.

During the day most of the show folks wereseen shopping on the Steel Pier where they al-so visited George Hanneford's Family Circus.That evening members of the Hanneford Cir-cus were guests of the Hoxie show.

The previous night Mongo, the gorilla, put hishand through one of the plate glass partitionsin his trailer. It cost $350 to replace the glass.

Visitors on the show lot included the writer,Jack McMillan and Pat Duffy.

Frank Hoopes

The Wenatchee Youth Circus presented twofree performances at Sicks Seattle Stadium onAug. 19th for the Seattle Dept. of Parks andRecreation.

WANTED1 or 2 BOOKING AGENTSFor Open and Shrine Dates

Call: EUROPORAMA(503)779-7441

223 W. Mam St., Medford, Ore. 97501

The Circus Report Page 9

Fair ActsThe program presented at the Illinois State Fair(Aug. 11-12) featured: Al Youngman, musicaldirector; Al Dawley, ringmaster; Al's LibertyPonies; Martin, juggler; Martin Trio, teeter-board; Guy Gossing's tigers; Great DeMille,wire; Mr. Rythem, trained horse; the Lodi Duo,aerial cradle; Sabo's Chimps; Jorge's Unpredic-able car; The Great Lamberti; The Flying Raulsand Vidbel's elephants.

The program presented at the Maine State Fair(Aug. 14-20) featured: Charlie Slavin, announ-cer; Sylvia & Randy, perch act; The AmazingFattasy Jugglers; The Hernandez Troupe, teet-erboard and Angela Wilnow and her collies. Allacts were booked by AJ Martin and GunnarAmandis.The program presented at the Orleans CountyFair in Barton, Vt. (Aug. 17-21) featured: Ja-vanna's Jungle Jubilee; Vicki Taylor, vent; theAristocrats, trampoline; Johnny Miles, impres-sions/announcer; the Goetschi Brothers, musi-

TENT COMMANDMENTS. .. .

1 • She is thy Lord. Thou shall honor Herabove all else.

2 - Thou shait let no th ing delay her rising.3 - Thou shalt not walk on canvas.4 • Thou shalt not endanger fe l low canvas

hands.5 - Thou shalt not stand idle and watch

another man work.• 6 • Thou shalt not untie guy line to center

poles unless commanded.7 - Thou shalt not damage her being.8 • Thou shalt not improperly lace tent

sections.9 • Thou shalt not entangle guy lines.

10 - Thou shalt not disobey canvas boss.

cal/comedy/unicycles; the Pisanis, aero; PrinceNajve/,, aerial; Mr. 'Z' organist and the DonBanles-Tony Starr Western Jamboree, the showwas staged and produced by Beverly Heighamand Rosemary Marino (Better Booking Agency).

WANTEDFAMILY TYPE ACTS • Doing 2 or moreacts. Can use Dog & Pony Act, GroundAcfs. Might be all year at one spot. Stateyour lowest price expected.

- NO DRUNKS -Send photos (none returned). Unicycle,Skating, Tight and Slack Wire, Clowns.Good Treatment as this is a one ring cir-cus.Can use partner for No. 2 and No. 3 unitshows. Must have capital.

- START SEPT. or OCT. 1977Can also use workingmen • Pay Every Day.

ANSWER AT ONCE -

SILLS BROS. CIRCUSMain Street - P. O. Box 217

Gibson, N. C. - 28343

Have old Billboards for sale $10.00 p.p.(Covers Movies, Circus, Vaudeville, Stage,All Types of Show Business).

WILLIAMGOLDEN

- W I L D A N I M A L T R A I N E R -

E x p e r i e n c e d

H a n d l i n g — T r a i n i n g

a n d

Fi r s t Class P r e s e n t a t i o n

of

Tigers, Lions, E l e p h a n t s

f o r m e r l y w i t hH a w t h o r n ' s P e r f o r m i n g T i g e r s

C u r r e n t l y t o u r i n g w i t hC a r d e n - J o h n s o n - C l y d e Bros . C i r c u s

30 Commercial St., Cranston, R.I. 02905Phone: (401)941-7549

Page 10 Septembers, 1977

Organist - Chimps - Poodles MonkeysSelf-Contained. P. O. Box 1167, Concord,N.C. - Phone: (704) 786-4563

It 's NewA beaut i fu l now fu l l color window card wasprepared by Ringl ing-Barnum for its Thrill Cir-cus which was featured at the Ohio State Fairin Columbus. Two cannon acts and other fea-tures of the show are pictured on the card.

No extra charge was made for the circus afterpaying to get into the fair grounds, so the ex-pense of printing the card was an extra tossedin by the show's management. Vice PresidentKenneth Feld was in charge of the thrill unit ,with Tuffy Genders on hand to frame it.

MiscellaneousThe Early American Circus held an old-timecircus parade in downtown San Mateo, Calif.,on Saturday, Aug. 27th, at 12 noon.

THANK YOUWILSON STOREY

Sells & Gray Circus Manager• -for your purchase of Chevrolet

tractors and a spool truck

"SAVE MONEY WITH JOHNNY"

JOHNNY CANOLE

465 N.E. 102nd StreetMiami Shores, Fla. 33138(305) 751-0206

7100 Sixth AvenueAltoona, Pa. 16602(814) 944-9347 or(814) 943-0003

GERARD M. FRITZ writes to remind us thatthe Mills Bros. Circus played Nantucket Islandfor some three or four years in the 1940's.

TOM UPTON, circus photographer, has beenkept busy showing circus films to members ofthe Ringling-Barnum Red Unit during the bigshow's San Francisco area engagements.

7<^£S

ROBERT E. BAUDY, Owner-DirectorP. O. Rox 132Center Hi l l , Florida 33514

Phone: (904) 793-2109Cable: ANIMALCENTERSTATE OF FLORIDA Game and Fresh Water

Fish Commission No. 130U. S. D. A. Ucense 58-EL-119MEMBER of A. A. Z. P. A.

- SPECIALIZING IN C A P T I V E - B R E E D I N G AND SALE OF SELECTED SPECIMENS -All cats vaccinated against Feline Panleukopenia, Pneumonitis and Rhmotracheitis

ON H A N I ) AT ALL TIMES: BLACK-MANE AFRICAN LION; A F R I C A N , ASIAN,CHINESE and BLACK LEOPARDS; CLOUDED LEOPARD; SNOW LEOPARD; BLACKand SPOTTED J A G U A R ; BAY, C A N A D I A N and S I B E R I A N L Y N X E S ; BENGAL andS I B E R I A N TIGERS; WESTERN and SOUTH A M E R I C A N COUGAR; S E R V E L ; GOLDENCAT: OCELOT: M A R G A Y .

ALSO B R E E D I N G : WHITE, B K O W N , SPOTTED FALLOW D E E R ; SPOTTED andSTRIPED H Y E N A , LLAMA; G U A N A C O ; D R O M A D E R Y and BACTRIAN CAMEL;CAMEROONESE PIGMY GOATS; FALLABALA MINIATURE HORSES; APPALOOSAHORSE; WHITE ELK; WHITE RHINOCEROS and more . . .

- P L E A S E V I S I T O U R 4 5 A C R E S -IMPORTANT; "The o f f e r for sale of Endangered Species is contingent upon the receipt bybuyer of a U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Permit." (For non-Florida residents only) .

The Circus Report

FIRST CLASS EQUESTRIAN

THREE RING DISPLAY

alsoT H E A C T E V E R Y O N E H A S B E E N T A L K I N G A B O U T

- A R E A L S H O W STOPPER -

F E A T U R E D F O R F O U R Y E A R S O N T H E

R O Y A L L I P I Z Z A N SHOW

.

A U N I Q U E C O M E D Y D R U N K H O R S E A C T

P R E S E N T E D B Y G A Y L O R D M A Y N A R D

- O P E N D A T E S -

F R O M J A N U A R Y 1 to A P R I L 1

Con tac t : T H E G I L B E R T M I L L E R A G E N C Y8350 N o r t h K i m b a l lSkokie , I l l i n o i s - 60076

Page 12 September 5, 1977

HORN PUT AWAYFamed circus band leader Merle Evans has putaway his cornet for the last time and says thatwhile he won't be playing music anymore hewill continue to direct orchestras several timesa year.

Merle has cancelled 13 concerts that were setfor the winter months. "It's too cold up Northin the winter time," he said. I'm going to waituntil it warms up."

Last month he shipped more than 3,000 of hisband arrangements to the Circus World Museumin Baraboo. "I gave them all the music I usedin the circus all those years," he said.

Evans, who was called the "Toscanini of theBig Top" left the circus in 1969 and since thenhas made guest appearances all over the coun-try. He and his wife recently returned to theirhome in Sarasota after a motor tour throughOklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.

"I figure it's time to give some of the youngerfolks a chance," he said. "Besides, I don't wantto practice any more."

CIRCUS ORGANIST after Nov. 1st.Contact: RAY HARTZELL, 404 So.Meadow Valley Drive, Las Vegas,Nevada 89107.Phone: (702)873-5093

In Memoriam .;v

Gary Buggs (42), who was known as "Mr. Cir-cus to one and all. Showfolks knew him for hisphotos, while circus buffs knew him as a vaststorehouse of knowledge. Gary died of a heartattack on July 21st.

Emmons Howard Hugo (81), known as Capt.Hugo, the high diver, died July 19 at KansasCity, Mo. He had been doing a 100 ft. dive intoa net for 29 years and at one time operated hisown carnival.James B. McBeth (90), a former circus musicianand collector of circus music, died on July 14at Mariemont, Ohio. Survivors include a sonand three daughters.

IF YOU WANT THE JOB DONE RIGHT!

CARL E . C O N L E Y(30 YEARS IN CIRCUS BUSINESS)

JUGGLING-LIBERTY HORSE ACT

ANNOUNCER

'77 SEASON WITH ROYAL BROS. CIRCUS

A-1 CONCESSION MGR. and SIDE SHOW MGR.

Year Round Address: 2635 Not ton Road Kent, Ohio 44240

The Circus Report Page 13

AVAILABLE FOR XMAS '77 DATES - NOW BOOKING FOR '78 SEASON

MARCANSMALE AFRICAN LIONS

(First Time to Tour U.S.A.-Best Male Lion Act Available)Contact

JOSIP MARCAN818 13th Avenue - Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304

Phone: (414)432-5692

SHOW REPORTOnce again we were fortunate in having a cir-cus come to town. The Royal Danish Circus ap-peared at the Genesee County Fair (Batavia, N.Y.), playing in front of the grandstand Aug.15-20.

The show, produced by Albert Sahlstrom, fea-tured: Dan and Baxen, clowns (John Hansenand Dan Rogers); the Almiros Duo (Rosita andAlbert Sahlstrom), juggling; Bongo, Almost Hu-man Gorilla (John Hansen); Miss Tina, singletrapeze; Rosita and Alberto, spinning plates;Les Thinis, trampoline; Bilros (Dan Rogers andDelbert Smith) double sway poles. The show'sringmaster/announcer was Albert Sahlstrom.

The Bilros act is a "Second Generation" as Danhas learned the routine from his father, BillyRogers, and has also broken in Delbert Smith.

The circus then moved to the Michigan StateFair at Detroit for a Aug. 25-Sept. 5 date.

Also appearing at the fair, as part of the Cole-man Bros. Carnival midway, was one of thenicest side shows around. The "Circus SideShow", owned by Norman Brooks (Bella IIIProductions) has a canvas bannerline 27 ft. highand 116 ft. long. It is brilliantly lighted by

BILLY B A R T O N (Continued)

the show are reported to be the HANNEFORD FAM-ILY, with tent and equipment, and JIMMY DOUGvLASS& Company.

The polishing that began on AERIALETTA II thisSpring by yours truly will be finished off by the re-doubtable PRINCESS TAJANA when the new aerialstar joins ROYAL HANNEFORD for its fall tour.Miss Aerialetta couldn't be in more illustrious handsl

See you down the road, luvs...

The Police Circus at Johnstown, Pa., postponedbecause of flood conditions has been resched-uled for Oct. 8-9. The indoor show is promotedand produced by Tommy Bentley and ChuckClancey.

"several hundred" light bulbs and is well flash-ed. The performance is presented on two ele-vated stages in a 30 x 90 ft. red and gold top.

The performers are: Wayne LaCharite, insidelecturer and sword swallower; Pete Shook, firemanipulator; Floyd Cunston, human block-head and nail board; and Donna Falzone LaCharite, Miss Electric, blade box and contor-tionist. David King is the outside talker.

. . . . Bill Galloway

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL TRAINER

R O Y A L C O N T I N E N T A L P E R F O R M I N G S T A L L I O N S

— L i b e r t y — Long Re in — H i g h S c h o o l —.

N O W T R A I N I N G F O R R . B . B . B . N E W C I R C U S W O R L D

P. O. Box 2006 - H A I N E S CIT Y , F L A . 33844 - P h o n e : (8 1 3 ) 4 2 4 - 2 4 2 1

Page 14 September 5, 1977

REVIEWSan Francisco's weekend Pickle Family Circusclosed its third season with Saturday and Sun-day matinees in Sacramento's (Calif.) WilliamLand Park on Aug. 20-21.

For those who haven't yet had the very realpleasure, don't miss it next year. This is a realrecreation of a one ring, sidewalled (red, yellowand blue) family show of a century ago -brought up to date. As an example, there's a sixpiece mod jazz and rock combo (guitar, bass,French horn, piano, sax and Leader Nick Saumeon drums) in place of the traditional brass band• but it produces some real old-time circussounds in addition to folk and more modernmusic.

Sparked by Larry (Lorenzo Pickle) Pisoni, theshow this year played sponsored dates in Ore-gon and northern California. Equipment is car-ried in one nice looking truck, with show folks,who hold down other jobs during the week,coming along in campers, vans and VW-cum-tents.

Don't get the wrong idea - the Pickles may play-to the tots in the audience, complete with freecircus workshops in the morning, but this is noamateur agregation. Berkeley fireman GlenWeller - as just one example • could get a jobwith any show in America, doing risley, singlebar or hand balancing. Weller is backed by hisfamily in an acrobatic act. Son Jeff, 14, is good,but at the Saturday matinee, 3 year old Kelleystole the show - perhaps because year and ahalf old sister Shannon was under the weather.

Part of the charm is real audience participation.With no animals to worry' about, the kids cansit right up along the ring curbs (the stands willseat about 400 or so). Lorenzo, RingmistressSally Pickle, and producing clown Bill (Willy)Irwin, take pains to make sure the l i t t le folksfeel included. Their elders also get into the actwhen they are invited to hold the ends of thenot-so-tightrope for Sandy Counts, who, l ikeWeller and the Pickles, could if he wished holdhis own under any big top in the nation.

If there was a surprise, it was the inclusion ofwhat was once known as a "Jew comic" clown.Were, say, the Big One to present the same

comic character, the Anti-Defamation Leaguewould be all over them, like fuzz on a peach.Here in Sacramento, no one seemed to mind;it may be the character just wasn't recognizedfor what it was, or maybe folks are getting ov-er being super-sensitive.

Other clown productions included a huge bal-loon that got away, "magic trunks," and "TheWedding Photograph". Not quite a clown num-ber • but just as funny - were Sally and PeggyPickle, more or less in drag, juggling; theystarted with Indian clubs, eventually includedtheir wigs, too.

The Pickles themselves dominated the juggling,(fast and funny), knockabout tumbling andLorenzo more than delighted the kids by catch-ing, with the appropriate portion of his anatomy,a series of hats tossed to him from the standsby Irwin.

Music, as noted, was good to excellent. TheGrand Entry was traditional, with performersdoubling in brass (plus, among other things, aconcertina and a harmonica) to "Entry of theGladiators". After 50 fast-paced minutes, therewas a ten minute break, then, following an old-timers' sing-along, a half hour more.

Everyone got into the final act, a comedy skitfeaturing a widow with a waterbed, a stuffedgorilla that comes to life, and three of the fun-niest moving men since Smyth went smoother.If Mack Sennett had ever seen "The Ace Mov-ing Company" he'd never have gotten aroundto the Keystone Kops.

Let no one doubt the circus lives! The Picklesand their performers - not to mention the child-ren of all ages in their audiences - give proofit's alive and thriving. "Amateurs" or not, the"Pickles" are pros !

Phil Jordan

The staff for the Pickle Family Circus includes:Michael Nolan, promoter; Larry Pisoni, artisticdirector; Terry Lorant, tour manager and photo-grapher; Zoe Leader, graphic designs; PeggySnider, set and costume design; Peter Snider,Don McMillan and Jack Davis, technical direc-tors.

The Cirous Report Page 15

ON THE ROADThe Tent Troupe, a dramatic troupe touring inNew England, moves on three rental trucks,one of which carries a light plant. The show ismaking its 8th annual tour and presents its var-ious programs under an orange and white bigtop. They also have a concession trailer and adressing top.

The Tent Troupe,consists of young people whoregularly present afternoon and evening perfor-mances in each town along the route. The after-noon program features "The Wonderful Worldof Hans Christian Anderson", while the even-ing show offers the three act play "Johnny Be-linda."

The show's teacher/director is Roney Shawewho has been touring with Tent Troupe forseven years. Paul Bruening, who has been withthe show since its start serves as technical direc-tor, canvas boss and truck driver. The show'scookhouse and dining room is supervised byEllen Shaheen, while the concession dept. is '

Date OKBusiness was very good for the circus presentedat Newport News (Va.) on Aug. 19-21. The per-formance featured the Stebbings Family, plus avariety of other acts.

Appearing in the show were: Pat Anthony, lionsand tigers; the Tabaks, perch/sword balance/balance pole; The Jokers Four, juggling; TheMetro Boys, balancing; Carol Stebbings, trap-eze/trampoline; Vickie Stebbings, web, theStimax-Hall Clowns and Walt's Mini Van com-edy number.

directed by Dorothy and Joe Wiebush.

Show personnel includes: David Rutland, San-dy Gardiner, Les Olinger, David Sheets, BradBowman, Debbie Cox, Susie Dahl, Christy Foels,Mike Freas, Jacky Heinbaugh, Jenny Heinbaugh,Phil Kinney, Julie Kreh, John Lastova, JeanMoyer, Denise Perkins, Dennis Rutland, KellyRyan, Melissa Shawe, Ginny Smith, ChrisSquires, John Tucker and Mark Unkenholz.

WANTEDAnimal Trainer capable of work ing Lions, Tigers , C h i m p sand Elephants . P e r m a n e n t Year Round Position. Win te r sin Florida and s u m m e r s in Ohio.

We have the t ra ined an imals if you have the ab i l i ty to workacts w i thou t b r u t a l i t y . Acts can be improved and steppedup.

Trainer shall be expec ted to speak to the pub l i c . Five daysa week.

Send Qua l i f i ca t ions , Pho tos , R e c e n t Press Releases andDesired Salary.

J U N G L E L A R R Y ' S A F R I C A N S A F A R I

P. O. Box 7129 Naples , F l o r i d a 33941