Charlie Bell as the fourth (and final) clown featured on boxes of Kellogg's Sugar Smacks. I'm sure the excitement from Cecil B. DeMille's the Greatest Show on Earth had subsided and shows like Super Circus and Big Top were winding down so it was time for Kellogg's to move on to something else...like a seal in a sailor suit...to sell Sugar Smacks. When I was growing up their mascot was a frog named "Dig 'Em". Makes about as much sense as a circus clown or a seal in a sailor suit I guess..
An extremely nice and very thoughtful note (and some more information on Charlie Bell's family) from CC grad and former Ringling road clown John Darragh...
This is a Sincere compliment , for the Beautiful work you've thus far displayed via your Blog. There is no doubt in my mind, that you will do your best to enhance this Blog dedicated to the Most Ancient and Honorable Art Form, to the fullest degree.
Sadly as time moves on, the Art of professional Clowning is further diminished and bit by bit the Men and Women who were at the forefront of our craft are sadly forgotten. Thank you for keeping the memories and spirit of those who travelled before us, alive and well.
Thank you also for providing the story regarding Marceline and as well Charlie Bell.
I had the Great fortune to join the show just in time to meet and eventually befriend Charlie's daughter Charlotte and Grand daughter Tessi (Dancer/Showgirl- Red show 81, 82- Sells Floto 84. I think she may have at one time married into the famous Knock Circus Dynasty, by marrying Joe Bauer jr. son of the legendary fearless sway pole artiste Joe Bauer, but I'm not certain. I lost contact with her many years ago, Unfortunately. The Humor, Charm and Talent of Charlie Bell certainly traveled through the blood line. His other Grand daughter Tosca was a headline aerialist attraction at the time I joined the show, but was married to Gunther's ex right hand man Henri Schroer at the time, so I never really got the chance to know her.
Frank and Charlotte's son was also an aerialist and trapeze flyer, performing most notably in the late sixties, early seventies with the likes of Keith Anderson and the various flying troupes that came out of Cape Town, South Africa during that period of time.In the obituary you posted for Charlie Bell, his Daughter's name is incorrectly spelt.Her marriage name is Kora, not Korak. I know for some it means nothing, but for others it makes a World of difference.
In closing, I would just like to say Once Again, Thank You- you're doing a Great job, and do so Hope you'll be able to maintain your Blog on a continuous basis. I give you a lot of creditfor creating this Blog, and I'm sure I'm not alone in my Thankfulness for someone to finally come forward and provide a site that is Seriously devoted to the Silliness of our craft and at the same time Very Educational and Extremely Entertaining. Sincerely, John Darragh
John's comments speak for many of us I'm sure. Did you ever think that you'd end up as a historian when you were in school ?? Electronic history books of the 2000's -- who'd of thought, those pictures would find new life(s) in blog sites -- there are people out there enjoying your site, and you'll never meet them , or maybe even know them,but you,and Buckles and Bill are providing much happiness -- that's what its all about !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this information. I'm searching for any information I can find on Charlie Bell and his family. He was my great-uncle and I have several photos of me as a little girl with him and Emmett Kelly, and my cousin Charlotte. I would love to find any surviving relatives. Blanche Ostrander, blanche@ostrander.us
ReplyDeleteI CAN'T BELIEVE I FOUND THIS SITE. I REALLY LOVE READING ABOUT MY GRANDFATHER. CHARLIE BELL . I WAS JUST A SMALL GIRL WHEN HE PASSED AWAY.I DO REMEMBER HIM. EVERY SUNDAY WHEN MY MOM (CHARLOTTE) ,MY GRANDMOTHER (GERTRUDE),MY OLDER SISTER (BONNIE) AND MYSELF WOULD GO TO CHURCH HE WOULD GO TO THE DINNER IN SARASOTA HAVE BREAKFAST . A FEW CORRECTIONS MY DAD (FRANK KORA) HAD 4 DAUGHTERS NO SONS . FRANK KORA JR,THE FLYER, WAS MY COUSIN. HE WAS THE SON OF MARTY KORA MY DADS TWIN BROTHER.
ReplyDeleteKEEP CONECTED TOSCA KORA FORNASARI
toscakora@hotmail.com
Thanks to Pat Cashin's Clownalley for all the information you have on your site about Charlie Bell. The information you provided helped me find my cousin Tosca. I live in Ohio (where Charlie Bell was born)and knew Charlotte when I was a little girl. So happy to find her girls, my cousins, whom I hope to meet in November. Until then, we must keep in touch with email. Talk to you soon, Tosca!
ReplyDeleteHi I came across this site by accident and I saw that there was a comment about Frank Kora jnr. I used to fly with Frank many years ago and briefly communicated with hjim a couple of years ago before his web site hi-fli trapeze disappeared. Does anyone have any news about him.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Christine (Merv)
TO WHOM EVER IT WAS THAT WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MY COUSIN FRANK KORA JR. THE FLYER AND FOUNDER OF THE HI-FI TRAPEZE SCHOOL. FRANKIE NOW LIVES IN HEAVEN AND IN OUR HEARTS.AFTER A LONG FIGHT WITH CANCER. HE IS MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
ReplyDeleteTOSCA
Tosca, May I send you my sympathy about the passing of Frank Kora Jr. I grew up with him in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago and we kept in touch until about 1980.
ReplyDeleteMay he rest in peace.