THE DAILY LAMA

"There's no shop that sells kindness; you must build it within. You can transplant hearts, but you cannot transplant a warm heart."

SESOSTRIS SHRINE CIRCUS CLOWNS

This clip may help to better illustrate what I've been saying about the Shrine clowns...

While each of these guys are probably very nice guys, they aren't really doing anything entertaining. They look like what they are, middle aged (or older) men dressed in clown costumes. While that isn't a bad thing at a parade, it becomes extremely underwhelming in a circus setting, where the audience has paid for a professional performance and have (rightfully) higher expectations.

That said, they have pretty solid Shrine clown costumes and makeups, so for a volunteer group they all look to have a good overall Shrine clown "look".

CLOWN ALLEY: Blow Off; Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (1987)

Jeff and Enof performing blow off in Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1987.

CIRCUS DAY IN OUR TOWN (1949)

ANNIE FRATELLINI

How could you not be instantly taken in by this character?

She's got to be one of the most naturally engaging clowns of all time.

THE CAROLI FAMILY?

Is this an early photo Ernesto, Francesco and Enrico? Who are they working with?

RHUM

PAUL JUNG

THE DAILY LAMA

"It is because of the intimate relationship between mind and body, and the existence of special physiological centers within our body, that physical yoga exercises and the application of special meditative techniques aimed at training the mind can have positive effects on health."

VAL DE FUN: Big Apple Circus, 2003

SAP & COLO

LOUIE ARMSTRONG: With Jack Teagarden and the All-Stars (1958)

Up a Lazy River
Tiger Rag
Rockin' Chair - Louis Armstrong & Jack Teagarden
When The Saints Go Marchin' In

Outside of the fact that this set contains "Tiger Rag" I really can't make the argument that this clip has anything whatsoever to do with circus or clowning. What it does illustrate, extremely well, is awe-inspiring natural talent, artistry, showmanship and virtuosity; all of which are, individually, virtually non-existent in contemporary popular entertainment. To hope to combine them all into one person is absurd.

Louie Armstrong was so amazingly gifted at so many things that it's easy to forget while watching him just how difficult any one of them is to master to the extent that he did.

Taken from movie of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, filmed by Bert Stern. 

The All-Stars include: Trummy Young on trombone; Billy Kyle on piano and Danny Barcelona on drums.

CLOWN ALLEY: Walkarounds; Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (1987)

Video courtesy of Jon Griggs

DASHIN' SHANE CASHIN: World's Smartest Kid!

Shane is shattering all his school records by not only scoring 19 consecutive perfect scores in first grade spelling but also by being the first kindergardener to do so!

BUCKLES' BLOG: Picture Day

There's a whole buckload of early 20th century clown photos today at Buckles' Blog!

THE DAILY LAMA

"Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is a state in which the mind is fully evolved."

LES STUPIDOS: Musical Entree

CLOWN ALLEY: "Marry Me"; Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (1987)

Kelly Van Cleave and Rocco Paris at Madison Square Garden in 1987.

ADAM WEST: Dobritch International Circus

This photo is cooler than an igloo full of Fonzies.

The phrase "Igloo full of Fonzies" (c) 2009 The Cashin Comedy Co.

TOM DOUGHERTY: St. Patricks Day (2009)

Pat,

Thought you might like to run a couple of shots of how Tom Dougherty and others on the blue show celebrated St. Patrick's Day during their arrival march into the nation's capital. Lots of folks lined the curbs and sidewalks.

Dick Flint