Anyone near the Dallas/Ft.Worth area should check out the Lone Star Circus December 27-31st at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts in Dallas, TX featuring those NY Goofs Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley!
For more information, please click here.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
DICK MONDAY AND TIFFANY RILEY: Lone Star Circus
Anyone near the Dallas/Ft.Worth area should check out the Lone Star Circus December 27-31st at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts in Dallas, TX featuring those NY Goofs Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley!
For more information, please click here.
ELMO GIBB REMEMBERS: Damascus Shrine Circus Clown Alley, 1981
Top row: Middy Streeter, John Kane, Buck Nolan, Mike Naughton.Bottom row: Elmo Gibb, Bobby Davis, Vern Woerner, Rick Legg.
(This was Vern Woerner's first appearance in makeup)
(This was Vern Woerner's first appearance in makeup)
From Dean "Elmo Gibb" Chambers...
I've been looking for this alley picture for quite some time. I'd forgotten how big this print was--I couldn't get the whole thing into the scanner. This alley was hired by Jim Douglass for Gracie McIntosh's M&M Circus Internationale February 1981.
Middy Streeter was a fixture on Shrine circuses for a few years. One helluva nice guy.Bobby Davis was Billy Barton's right-hand man. Billy loaned him to Jim Douglass for the alley. Most audiences remember Bobby for setting web for Billy Barton, wearing only a feathered G-string and a jeweled headband, the briefest costume I ever saw on an American male perfomer. He had so much fun working with the group that he became a full-time clown. When Billy became too decrepit to do his cloud swing, he and Bobby did a clown drag number with Billy as Baby Jane (he had a thing for Bette Davis impersonation). I worked the 1984 Zerbini tour with Bobby. He was a world of fun. I miss him.
Rick Legg was a magician and pretty talented announcer. I worked the 1983 M&M tour with him. He clowned the indoor dates and announced the outdoor dates. Don Bridwell and I worked the toothache and camera gags with Rick on the microphone. avery performance was different and spontaneous, with all three of us egging each other on.
Vern Woerner was Jim Douglass' partner. Each winter Vern would build the props for Jim and I would paint them (sometimes I would do both). Vern drove the truck (Jim always carried three ring curbs, lights, sound, clown props, four floats and spec wardrobe) and supervised the set-ups and teardowns of the shows. He was the hardest working person I have ever known, and a fiercely loyal friend, once you got to know him.
For over 40 years Jim Douglass put together alleys. He usually hired eight professional clowns. Every year he produced three to five original ring gags or new variations on the classics. Although he was rarely on the big name shows (he was with Pollack Bros. for many years), he worked for 40 years (the first professional circus he ever produced was at the DeLand, FL at AGE FIFTEEN!), taking time off only for military duty. He is also on record as having twin dog acts with 21 dogs in each act!!!
Jim was also one of the founders of the Clowns of America organization. He also designed and built the original Ronald McDonald wardrobe--he lost out on the make-up design and the company instead went with the busted watermelon ass make-up we all know. In my estimate Jim Douglass is the most important US producing clown after Paul Jung. I hope some group eventually recognizes him for a lifetime achievement award.
THE BEATLES vs RADIOHEAD vs PINOCCHIO: Psychedelic Magical Mystery Mashup
Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the first airing of the Beatles film Magical Mystery Tour on the BBC.
In honor of the Beatles most experimental foray into film, here is the best Beatles mashup video that I've seen in awhile: "There Are No Strings on Me" from Walt Disney's Pinocchio seemlessly mashed up with Radiohead's Creep video and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" scene from Yellow Submarine.
In honor of the Beatles most experimental foray into film, here is the best Beatles mashup video that I've seen in awhile: "There Are No Strings on Me" from Walt Disney's Pinocchio seemlessly mashed up with Radiohead's Creep video and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" scene from Yellow Submarine.
BARRY LUBIN: The Ventriloquist Gag; Big Apple Circus, 1995
Link suggested by Mike Naughton
Barry Lubin and Phil Stein from the Big Apple Circus' Jazzmatazz.
Barry Lubin and Phil Stein from the Big Apple Circus' Jazzmatazz.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
FRY & LAURIE: Comedy Master Class, 1986
Stephen Fry & Hugh (Dr. House) Laurie's "Comedy Masterclass" sketch from 1986.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
IN MEMORIAM: Rex Young, 1931-2008
Bill Strong sends word that Rex Young passed away on Sunday from injuries sustained from his fall.
From the Holland Sentinel...
Posted Dec 22, 2008 @ 04:32 PM
Holland, MI —
It would be nice if folks would take a minute to visit the Lakeshore Memorial site and leave a message for Sandy.
From the Holland Sentinel...
Posted Dec 22, 2008 @ 04:32 PM
Holland, MI —
Rex E. Young, age 77, of Holland, died Sunday, December 21, 2008, at Lifecare Hospital in Muskegon.
Rex was a well known performer (clown) for 40 years traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sandra; sisters-in-law, Mrs. William (Vivian) McKnight of Hamilton, OH, Mrs. Kenneth (Adeline) Decker of Holland; several nephews, nieces and cousins.
A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James Street in Holland. Reverend Henry Idema will be officiating. Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Lakeshore Memorial Services. Memorial contributions may be given to American Heart Association or Grace Episcopal Church. An on-line registry book is available at www.lakeshorememorial .com for those who cannot attend the services.
It would be nice if folks would take a minute to visit the Lakeshore Memorial site and leave a message for Sandy.
"Count De Boxcar" was much loved on the Shrine circuit and a sadly under-appreciated clown during his lifetime. He was inventive, creative and, as a Producing Clown, deserves to be thought of in a league with Paul Jung, Lou Jacobs, Jerry Bangs, Jimmy Douglass and performers of that caliber.
Another important link to American circus clowning's past has been lost.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and we are deeply sorry for her loss.
Monday, December 22, 2008
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
I would have posted something last night but the calendar from Shane's school has tonight as the first night.
It's not. The first night was "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!"
Spin the dreidel,
~P
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