Cage Wagon

Here's a photo that raises a few questions. Here we find, seated atop a cage wagon, (from left to right) Unknown, Paul Wentzel, Felix Adler, Jack LeClair, Lou Jacob (before he added the "s"), Unknown (possibly Shorty Flemm?) and Paul Jerome.

OK, what do we know from looking at this picture? It was most likely taken after 1937 as Jack LeClair has changed his makeup and Paul Jerome is no longer wearing his whiteface. Is it a photo from spec? I don't know. Why would the clowns be riding a cage wagon during spec? Is it from a street parade? Could be. There is a Ringling "Wait" poster behind them. But why would they be in a street parade after 1937 and why would there be that striped sidewall behind them? Indoors, outdoors, possibly just a photo op? I don't know. Anyone have any more info or insight into this one?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION ANSWERED!

This just in from Domic Yodice:

Hi Pat,

I tried to comment on your blog and I didn't want to set up a blog for myself in order to comment on yours. I am trying the email route. I don't know if the one I sent earlier went through or not so I will try this way.

Cage photo:
This photo is from 1943. The first display in the 1943 program for Ringling was a recreation of the old time street parade. It was called "Hold your horses....".
They used about 5 or 6 cages with two and four horse hitches and a couple with elephant hitches. Also included was the new Liberty Bandwagon with a 6 horse hitch and a few assorted small vehicles and riders. The posters were set up around the Garden and Big Top to give it an old time circus parade down Main St. USA atmosphere.

The cage the clowns are on was # 73 pygmy hippo cage pulled by a four horse hitch. Joe Bradbury covered this in his terrific series on Ringling in the White Tops many years ago. There is even a photo of the cage and hitch with the clowns in almost the same position as your photo.

I hope this helps to answer your questions. Good luck with the blog.
Best regards,
Dom

Thank you Dom!!!