Marcelo found this photo of famous Viennese clown Toto in a collection of photos from a Spanish scrapbook. Here we see the clown who seems to have developed the idea that Lou Jacobs later perfected with his famous midget car gag.
It's easy to imagine that Lou might have seen this act in vaudeville back in Germany, when he was part of an acrobatic act in those "musik hall" days.
Interesting to note; in Toto's case, the car didn't run on its own, but it was pulled on stage by an assistant on the other side of the wings, via the very practical method of... pulling a rope. Of course, Lou Jacobs polished the original idea by giving the car an engine, and a complete routine to go with it. Toto seemed to have just used his for an entrance.
Many other clowns after Lou used the midget car in much the same way Toto did, as an entrance. Bobo Barnett, Kinko Sunbury, Mark Anthony, Hip Raymond, Frankie Schmitz... a great prop that circus audiences have come to expect but rarely see today.
The 134th blue, had one in the construction gag
ReplyDeleteHere is a linky of the youtube of the gag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NSZDs8txsE
and there is one on the currently on the 137th
Larry
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're still at it. I thought I "lost" you but was recently redirected to your new web page. Keep up the good work ... your stuff is wonderful!
Rick Whelan
rickwhelan@sympatico.ca
Out of all the clowns who have ever been called "Toto", I am one of them.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Mr. Johnson
Assuming that is Ronald Johnson, as you've just hit the big 4 - 0, you're entitled to be called "Mr".
ReplyDeleteMr. Cooper.
In 1986-87, Terry Davolt presented a mini car act for the RBBB Blue Unit Clown Alley come in. His mini car was actually a trash truck.
ReplyDeleteKenny Ahern
and in 99-00 Come-In Christopher Hudert did a little train .
ReplyDeleteLarry