Saturday, January 05, 2008

NICOLAI "COCO" POLIAKOFF: More Coco



Young Jeremy Soames (aged 3) and his sister Emma (aged 6) are introduced to the world-famous entertainer Coco the Clown at an opening luncheon given by the Bertram Mills Circus. They are accompanied by Viscount Montgomery and cabaret star Connie Moore.




Coco the Clown performs a stunt where he appears to be sitting in a basket on a woman's back. However, the woman is just a dummy.




Coco the Clown and his associates from the Bertram Mills Circus put on a matinee performance for the children from the local hospitals, orphanages and children's homes.



Coco the Clown, the Bertram Mills Circus' world-famous entertainer, paints the face of his son Michael, watched by two of his daughters, Alexandra and Helen.



Coco the clown presents his little grandson, Graham, with a clown's wig which he himself and his son, Michael, both wore when clowning for the first time. The family are hoping that Graham, for whom the wig was a birthday present, will carry on the clowning tradition.

CLOWN ALLEY" Sumo Clown Car

Video courtesy of Super Steve Copeland



From Steve...

"Hey, it was funny on paper."


Friday, January 04, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY!


Happy 29th birthday wishes go out today to my very favorite costumer in the whole wide world, Ms. Mary Derosier!

Mary made costumes for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College for many years, still makes them for several folks and has made all of mine for the last few years including the beautiful Ringmaster jacket that I wore in the photo to the right from New Year's Eve.

If you've seen THE INCREDIBLES, she's like the Edna Mode of American circus clowning : )

She's unbelievably gifted and one of the very nicest people it's ever been my pleasure to know.

Happy birthday, Mary!

NICOLAI "COCO" POLIAKOFF: Bertram Mills Circus


Nicolai Poliakoff OBE, reading his fan mail,


Combing out his flip-top wig,


Putting the finishing touches to his famous face


And entertaining audiences at the Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia where he was featured for decades.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

WE LOVE LUCY!

Photo courtesy of Greg DeSanto



Legendary comedianne Lucille Ball accepting an honorary degree from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in this undated photo.

From Greg...

Not quite sure....ran across this in an old unnamed file. It looks like Kenneth Feld presenting Lucy with the diploma on some TV show (Good Morning America?). I've never seen or heard of this before.

Anyone out there have any more information on this one?

PHILIPPE “PIPO” SOSMAN, JR.


Pipo Sosman, Jr. The very picture of a classical white clown and, while extremely underutilized during his time here in America, a great pleasure to watch and study.

The Fool Time Circus blog had the following...

Born and raised in Paris, France, he began clowning at age 14 in Cirque Medrano, working side-by-side with the man who inspired him - his father Gustave Sosman. “A clown does not play a character - a clown is the person himself. I am a perfectionist in everything I do. My father told me, ‘Practise erases practise, work erases work.’ I try to live by that,” says Sosman Junior. Today, Philippe enjoys the same recognition and adoration as his famous father. He has starred in the Cirque Bouglione (France), Cirque de Paris, Cirque Knie (Switzerland National Circus), Circus Nock (Switzerland), and Circus Roncalli (Germany). Sosman lives in Paris with his partner, ex-Bluebell dancer Judy Benson. His hobbies include collecting old musical instruments and circus photographs.

CLOWN ALLEY: Dentist Chase Ringling, 2004

Video courtesy of Steve Copeland



Gregory Parks (Dental Hygienist) and Steve Copeland (Mouth) performing the Dentist Chase on Ringling in 2004.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

CLOWNALLEY.NET AD SPACE AVAILABLE



As of tomorrow morning CLOWNALLEY.NET will begin accepting advertising and sponsorship. Banner ads will now appear on the top of the right hand side of the page.

If you have a circus or clown-related business and are interested in buying or bartering for ad space, please contact me at cashincomedy@yahoo.com.

BUZZY POTTS


Buzzy Potts in spec wardrobe on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1940s.

LEE MARX: Shrine Circus, 1982

Photo courtesy of Larry Clark


Lee Marx, son of Carl Marx, who, like Joe Jackson Jr. and Emmett Kelly Jr., adopted his father's makeup, costume and material.

Lee also did Rolling Globe and a bit of juggling.

He toured with the Hubert Castle Circus for many years working with with Rex "Boxcar" Young, Gene Randow, Harold Simmons and Chester "Bobo" Barnett. Lee also did halftime shows for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photos courtesy of Shane Cashin


Last night Andrew Scharff and I performed our two-man show (some material from our shows in China, a lot of new stuff) to two SRO audiences at the Citizens Bank Downtown Theater as part of First Night State College, PA.

Here are some photos from the shows...













Monday, December 31, 2007

ANDREW SCHARFF: With Pope John Paul II


My friend Andrew Scharff, during his tenure with Circo Americano, entertaining Pope John Paul II.

Andrew and I will be appearing at the Downtown Theater in State College, PA today at 3:00 and 8:00 PM as part of First Night State College.

CHARLIE CHEER: March 27, 1954



The story that accompanied this AP photo...

Victim of one of his own tricks, circus clown Charlie Cheer has a built-in expression of woe to go with the hand injury he suffered at the Shrine Circus in Indianapolis last night. He suffered a broken finger and burns when a blank cartridge in a trick mechanism on his accordion exploded accidentally. Nurse Judy Vandeiver gives first aid.

TOM DOUGHERTY: "Baby, It's You"


We close out 2007 with the winner of the Otto Griebling Award for Solo Clowning at this year's Felixes, Tom Dougherty.

Thank you all so very much for a truly wonderful 2007.

Let's make 2008 even better.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

SUNDAY MORNING ART GALLERY: Lou Jacobs by Cowboy Mike Keever


Photos and comments courtesy of Cowboy Mike Keever



Jean & Dolly Jacobs with Cowboy Mike Keever, Oct 2007 Sarasota Florida



I just thought I would finally get around to sending you this photo...it is my wedding gift to Dolly and Pedro....I made it down to Sarasota, thanks to Chuck Sidlow for the Circus Wedding of the Century...that of Dolly Jacobs....to deliver it myself.

It is a figure of Dolly's Papa, Lou Jacobs, about 3 months of carving a block of basswood then hand-painted and to capture that special sparkle always in Lou's eye(s) I placed a diamond in one eye.

The piece is on a base with a plaque showing the title......."Lou Jacobs....my Hero...my Friend" 2007 by Cowboy Mike Keever.



(No it's not a lamp ...the light is just above it in this photo)


I hope this finds you well,my friend. Happy New Year!!!

Your Friend,
Cowboy Mike Keever




For more information on Mike's artwork, please click the title of this post.

CHARLIE RIVEL






BOZO AUDITIONS: Los Angeles, January 13, 1993





Larry Harmon conducting Bozo auditions at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, CA January 13, 1993.

Top photo: Bozo with Heidi Karp-Briggs

Middle photo: Larry Harmon with Tuba Heatherton in the background

Bottom photo: Harmon and Bozo (most likely portrayed here by Kevin "Roofus T. Goofus" Bickford) surrounded by Bozo hopefuls including Tuba, Heidi and Jimmy Graham (checkered nose).

CIRCUS CIRCUS: Huel Speight and Benny Schultz


It looks like this video starts off with Huel Speight and Benny Schultz performing their comedy juggling as a "come-in" at the Adventuredome at Circus Circus in Las Vegas to "Hot, Hot, Hot" by Buster Poindexter.

It then switches to Huel's solo skill act, accompanied by the Charlie Brown music of the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU CIRQUE DE MONTE-CARLO: Larible, Popov, Princess Stephanie and Fumagalli



David Larible, Oleg Popov, Princess Stephanie of Monoco and Fumagalli at the 30th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo.

The 32nd annual festival runs January 17th - 27th, 2008 and will feature recent Lou Jacobs Lifetime Achievment Award Winner, Barry "Grandma" Lubin.

WASHER WOMEN: Jay Stewart and Mike Smith

Video courtesy of Captain Mike Heidtman (actually it comes to us courtesy of Lara Heidtman-Smith, but we'll just say it was Captain Mike so that he can feel like he's a part of things)



My favorite contemporary version of the classic Washer Women Gag, as performed by Jay Stewart and Mike Smith at the recent Happy Tiandu AEMI World Clown Festival.

The background music is Jackie Wilson's "Baby Workout" and "Am I the Man".

Friday, December 28, 2007

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, AMELIA!

Baby photo and Christmas card courtesy of Larry Clark. Tiandu photos courtesy of Ray Grins, Erin Schmalls, The Mondays and Kevin Kraft.








From newborn baby to working alongside Mom in Tiandu, Ladies and Gentlemen let's all wish a very Happy Birthday to Ms. Amelia Jo Parish!

ARSENE DUPIN



One of the best things about 2007 (a year in which a lot of "best things" happened) was attending Minifest and meeting Arsene Dupin.

He a wonderful guy, a funny clown and a very inspiring instructor.

Learn more about him by clicking on the title of this post.


Monday, December 24, 2007

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from THE ALLEY: 2007


Last year's holiday video showcased the Ringling Alleys of the 40s and 50s so this year we feature members of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown Alleys of the 1960s.

With Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to All Men, Women and Children Everywhere


Seasons Greetings and Joyous Wishes for a very happy and safe holiday and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year to you and yours from "The Alley" and the Cashin Family.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

FROSTY THE BOSS CLOWN


Christmastime just isn't complete without listening to the kids singing about Frosty...

Frosty the Boss Clown
was a jolly, happy soul
with a neat whiteface and some stripey shoes
and a tooth made out of gold.

There must have been some magic
in that small red hat he found
for when he placed it on his head
he bossed everyone around!

Frosty the Boss Clown
had to hurry to the train
but he waved goodbye,
saying "Don't you cry!" and
"May All Your Days Be Circus Days!"


Frosty and Pat, have a Hotarini Christmas!

CIRCUS CIRCUS: Sophia Heidtman

Photos courtesy of Joel Heidtman


In the interest of full disclosure let me just say that I now have met, and am friends with, ALL of the performing Heidtman Family siblings (there is one non-performing brother, Zeppo Heidtman, that I have never met) and was very happy to receive these pictures and find that the proud Heidtman Family performing legacy looks to continue...







From Joel...


Friends,

Sofia and I went to visit our friends at Circus Circus today, and she was invited up on the main stage with Huel Speight!

For those of you that haven't seen her recently, Sofia is the smallest of the three kids up there, wearing a red sweatshirt. (Sofia will be 5 next month).

Huel spun a ball on the first two kids fingers, starting with the biggest kid and then the middle one. Both kids kept the ball there for a few moments, then the ball fell to the ground and rolled away.

The crowd was really rooting for Sofia when it was her turn since she was the smallest, and not only did she manage to keep her hand steady enough for the ball to spin there for quite some time - she actually sensed when it was going to fall... AND SHE CAUGHT IT!!!

The crowd went NUTS!

So did I!

Unfortunately, my camera could not keep up with all the pictures I was trying to take, so I did not actually get a picture of her with the ball on her finger - but you can get the idea. In the last picture the crowd was cheering for her... and she loved it!

Thanks for letting me share.

Joel Heidtman


A very Merry Christmas to all the Heidtmans, the Smiths and the Heidtman-Smiths!

CLOWN ALLEY: Cole Bros. Circus, 1937

Photos courtesy of Bill Strong



For those out there who still have a problem telling them apart.

This program page may be the last time Otto's name was spelled correctly but Emmett's wasn't.

Thanks go out, as always, to Bill Strong. Please click the title of this post to be taken to Bill's circus history blog YESTERDAY'S TOWNS.