The Polack Bros. Clown Band in an undated photo. From left to right: Unidentified, Chester Sherman, Harry Dann, Chester "Bobo" Barnett, unidentified and Joe (Vani) Sherman.I don't recognize the drummer but it looks as though the showgirl on the floor is Dennis Stevens.
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UPDATE:
Bill Strong tells me that the clown between Bobo Barnett and Joe Vani is Lawrence Cross. Now I wonder if the whiteface on the far left isn't Bobo's wife who worked with him for a number of years before the birth of their daughter Bonnie Ann.
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"Mr. Lee" tells us that the clown on the floor may be Dougie Washburn.
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Robin Estes adds this info from Ray Kadlec...
The picture was posed in Chicago (where Polack's head offices were located), at Medinah Temple. I found the right box and dug out my Polack programs for the Medinah shrine. The 1952 edition matches the most of the clowns you list. 7 are pictured and 8 names are given in a listing. The clown to the left should be Rusty Benson, who lived in central Illinois. The smaller person by process of elimination from the names, should be Tommy Roberts. The 1949, 1951, 1953 & 1954 do not match.— Ray Kadlec
5 comments:
Between Bobo & Joe, is Lawrence Cross
If "Dougie Washburn" is the same "D.W. Wasburn" who was on the Ringling show in the late 60s/early 70s then it's a possibility.
I don't know much about him prior to that timeframe and the eyebrows far up and his forehead look like the makeup D.W. used.
Boy, with so many people using similar makeups positive identification 50, 60, 70 years after the fact gets kind of tough!
Pat,
Check out my Snapshot for this morning, I think David was such a lucky kid, he had Dime for a Grandfather, and was fortunate enough to spend his early years with some of the best.
Pat,
Would like to get a HiRez copy of this to share with Joe.
Any chance?
Tommy
Tom Holbrook
I have this print too. It has been verified to be from the 40's or 50's, and even has the names over the heads in the old typewriter.
I am confused on how these prints are being posted. Were there many printed at the time?
Have I been duped?
Please advise..By the way My pic has the name "Dennis Stevens" under the clown in drag.
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