LOU JACOBS: With Chris Shelton

Photo courtesy of Chris Shelton...



From former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Red Unit Boss Clown, Chris Shelton...

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Hey Pat,
Steve Copeland stayed at my house during a tour in this area. When I was showing him old circus photos, I came across this picture with Lou. This was taken during Lou’s, Pee Wee’s, and my last year on the road. When I became Boss, I was told I had to find someone to walk Lou from his dressing room to the back door for each of his routines. I instantly assigned myself to that honor! This shot was taken en route. I watched and enjoyed every time Lou worked. Take care!

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Thank you for sharing Chris!

MIKE "COCO" POLAKOVS: Ronald McDonald

Photos courtesy of Tom Piccard



Michael "Coco" Polakovs was hired in the mid-1960s by McDonalds to revamp their Ronald McDonald character, originally developed and portrayed by Willard Scott. It has long been rumored that Mike also played Ronald in the first few national commercials featuring the new-look Ronald.

Here, from January 1967, is the proof...

I have also heard that the "Mr. Muscle" character pictured here was played a Ringling clown. Other early characters were played in the commercials by veteran clowns Bobby Kay and Albert White.

These photos were sent to me by Mr. Piccard from the personal collection of Mike Coco's son, Graham.

For more info on Mike Coco's life and career, please click the title of this post.

THE CASHIN FAMILY CIRCUS NATIVITY 2007

For many years now Terry and I have owned the Playmobil Nativity set and putting it up each year has become a longstanding family tradition.

Since Shane has been old enough to walk he has always seemed to take great delight in adding historically inappropriate characters from some of his other Playmobil sets to the traditional Nativity scene. Last year the manger featured visits from Shepperds, Wise Men, Santa, Vikings, Pirates, Paparazzi, Police and a Mariachi Band.

This year he wanted to do away with the manger all together and thus we have what might best be politely described as "rather biblically inaccurate"... thus Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Cashin Family Circus Nativity 2007!








I must admit, the angel hanging from the trapeze was my idea.

TINA LENERT

There are several people doing similar bits, rarely with such clear character, motivation and charm.

DALE LONGMIRE: Get Well Soon!

Our thoughts and prayers today are with Dale Longmire (Ringling/Vargas/Walker Bros.) who is recovering from open heart surgery and valve replacement at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Lee Stevens spoke with Dale's sister and heard that all was going well. He should be out of intensive care by this morning.

Dale, get well soon!!!

"You've heard the expression, "ONE IN A MILLION", he's two of them!!!!"
~Bill Strong on Dale Longmire

MILO & ROGER

Posted to YouTube by "patrickske"


After finding this the other night I was going to keep this to myself and use it as "inspiration" for the next series of shows in China, but it was just too good not to share.

For more on Milo (According to Mr. DeSanto it's pronounced "MEE-low") and Roger, please click the title of this post.

LES FRATELLINIS: The What Now?!?

According to the back of this photo, the Fratellinis came to the United States in the mid 1920s?!?

CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling-Barnum, 1943

Taken from the 1943 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Program. OK, that's Lou Jacobs and Chesty Mortimer up top, Felix Adler in the center and Paul Jerome in his tramp makeup in the lower left hand corner.

Who is the guy in the lower right? Paul Jung? In 1943?!?

How OLD was this? If it is Jung, was this even taken while Jung was on Ringling? It looks like an early 30s photo from Hagenbeck-Wallace!

GEORGE L. FOX: Comedy/Tragedy

For more ruminations on Mr. Fox, please click the title of this post.

MARIANO SAVIO: 1989

Mariano Savio in "Clown Fiorellino", 1989.

CUBAN CHRISTMAS RINGLING ALLEY VIDEO 1950s: THE RAREST OF THE RARE!

I've just received extremely rare video of the clowns of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performing a Christmas themed number during one the Ringling show's trips to Havana, Cuba during the 1950s. This comes from the estate of a very well known American circus collector and archivist. I am almost certain from it's pristine condition that, other than it's video transfer, this footage has gone unseen since the 1950s.

The footage features Lou Jacobs, Felix Adler, Paul Jung and Otto Griebling.

This number was revived briefly by Jackie LeClaire for the John Ringling North-produced Continental Circus during the holiday season of the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Please click the title of this post for the link to the video. Enjoy!

CLOWN ALLEY: Zippo's Academy of Circus Arts

Posted to YouTube by JaneyTClown




Slosh Act at the Academy of Circus Arts Graduation Showcase.

"There is nothing that can be done that can't be made better by adding Benny Hill music."

FRANKIE SALUTO: Ringling/Barnum, Undated

Frankie Saluto with his pet rabbit preparing for their walkaround.

CLOWN ALLEY: Kelly-Miller, 1951

Eddie Dullam & Lee Virtue, looking like two Bill Ballantine drawings come to life.



Mr. Virtue



Mr. Dullam, whose makeup evolved over the years but never traded in his yarn wig.

GIJON POLIDOR: Undated Photo

Gijon Polidor on Ringling in a photo that looks to have been taken by Maxwell Frederic Coplan.

GEORGE L. FOX: 1875 Humpty Dumpty Program

I found this on eBay this morning.

A rare large July 1875 program for the great 19th century clown G L Fox in his most famous role as Humpty Dumpty.

Please click the title of this post to view the eBay posting of the item.

MYSTERY ORLANDO AREA SHRINE CLOWN

I received this email the other day...

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Hi -

I've been asked to restore a photo of a friend's uncle and a clown, taken about 1991-92.

I worked out that the photo was taken at a Shriners' circus (by zooming in on the background and seeing three men wearing fezzes). I determined that the circus was put on by the Orlando Shriners' group. I wrote to their webmaster a couple of weeks ago, with no response.

I've also scoured the Internet, looking at thousands of clown pictures, to no avail.


As you can see, the clown's face is largely obliterated. This is why I'm researching this. If I can find another photo of the clown, I can work from it to restore this photo, which is a prized possession of my friend's uncle. Otherwise, I'll just have to wing it and hope I come up with something reasonable.

If you can help in any way, I'd greatly appreciate it.


Regards,
Bill Phillips

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Anyone who can help, please email me at CASHINCOMEDY@YAHOO.COM

ED WYNN

I noticed that Ed Wynn's high arching eyebrows are very similar to the one's in the photo of Little Walter from last week.

KARL VALENTIN: DIE VERHEXTEN NOTENSTANDER

Posted to YouTube by TryAgain02


German cabaret clowning from the 1920's. Karl Valentin - Die verhexten Notenständer.

BUZZY POTTS: Ringling/Barnum, 1951

Buzzy Potts in a 1951 publicity photo for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

DUANE "UNCLE SOAPY" THORPE: In Memory

Comments courtesy of Joel Heidtman


In loving memory of Duane Lawrence "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe: October 11, 1924 - December 9, 1995

Rest well dear friend... you are loved.

Your pal, Joel Heidtman

JOHN LENNON

It's been 27 years since we lost John Lennon, probably my strongest role model during my teenage years and someone who's influence strongly shaped my opinions about music, art, comedy, philosophy, fatherhood and life in general.

27 years ago 40 seemed like a full life to me. Now that I'm 40, and the father of a five year old son of my own, I have a very different opinion.


HAPPY CHRISTMAS (WAR IS OVER)


So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over
If you want it
War is over

Now...

SAM BARTON: Breakaway Bicycle Act

Posted to YouTube by Sam Royston


Sam Barton from the film CAVALCADE OF VARIETY (1941), which is itself a compilation of three earlier films, VARIETY (1935), VARIETY PARADE (1936) and MUSIC HALL PARADE (1939).

Sam Barton (1894-1941) toured the British music halls with a speciality bicycle act similar to Joe Jackson's (1873–1942). Is there anyone out there who knows which act came first?

JAY & NICK STEWART: Myrtle Beach, SC, 2005

One of the very best American circus clowns (and clowning instructors) working today, Jason T. Stewart and his son Nick in Myrtle Beach, SC at the 2005 Clown College reunion.

Jay and family have recently relocated to the northeast where he's become a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit.

LITTLE WALTER

Antonet's partner prior to teaming with Grock and an extremely prolific and influential auguste in his own right, Little Walter.

VASIA GUSCHINSKY: Undated Photo

Russian circus clown Vasia Guschinsky.

REX "BOXCAR" YOUNG: Utica Shrine Date, 1960s

Rex "Boxcar" Young at a Shrine date in Utica, NY in the 1960s. It's supposedly from the Beatty-Cole show but I don't know that McCloskey and Co. were doing shrine dates in the 1960s, or that Rex ever worked for them.

Anyone know?

JOE LEE?: Hoxie Bros. Circus, 1982

Can anyone confirm whether or not this is a photo of Clown College grad and CLOWNS FOR BEGINNERS author Joe Lee on Hoxie in 1982?


Even if it isn't, click the title of this post for a link to Joe's book.

HAL NEWPORT: John Robinson Circus, 1907

A cabinet photo of Hal Newport and his pet pig Rosie on the "John Robinson Traveling Circus" 1907.

MITCH FREDDES

A Master Clown if ever there was one, Mr. Jonathan "Mitch" Freddes.

Mitch, if you're coming to China in 2008, I call dibs! You're on my team.

RONALD McDONALD: In the Baltimore Sun

For all those that wrote in with Ronald History related questions, there is an article out there for you in today's Baltimore Sun.

I'd like to be able to link to it for you but my macbook's hard drive has crashed (yet again) so, at least for today, I'm posting from a computer three years older than dirt.

FELIX ADLER: Mechanix Illustrated

WILLARD SCOTT: As Ronald

Willard began as Bozo the Clown before becoming the very first Ronald.

For more information, please click the title of this post.

SHERMAN BROS.

Great footage of the Sherman Bros. posted today over at Bill Strong's blog YESTERDAY'S TOWNS.

Click the title of this post to be taken there.

FIRST SNOW

The first snowfall of the season here at the Jersey Shore. It's just a dusting so far but it's coming down nice and steady in big, fluffy flakes.

Shane's birthday is this week. He was born during a blizzard and I believe that it has snowed the first week of December every year since.



You all remember that old Christmas classic, "With Snow On Our Concrete Monkey, Can Christmas Be Far Behind?"

IRV ROMIG

Photo courtesy of John Peters


Irv "Ricky the Clown" Romig from his days on Detroit's WXYZ Channel 7.

Click the title of this post for more on Irv's kidshow TV days.

SHOWFOLKS CIRCUS 2007

Found on Buckles Woodcock's Blog this morning, a review of the Showfolks Circus is Sarasota last night...

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eye spy on saraso/ta da said...

>"Robarts Arena was the scene of the annual Showfolks Circus on Saturday. A blogspot standing ovation to all the volunteers >who contributed their time and talent. Bravo showfolks!
>
>It was about half way through the show when I realized the show had adopted the trend of having a "theme"...it was "At The >Circus for Forty Days and Forty Nights".
>
>I saw a performer take a "bit" turn it into an "act" and last night presented it as a "marathon"; the longest act I've ever seen. >His family crossed the Atlantic in less time than his routine."

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And "eye spy" later posted...

eye spy on saraso ta da said...
PART TWO...

>Sunday, 2PM - I just stopped by Robarts and the very long act that I mentioned last night, you know the one in the air, well >the act is still working and they expect him to finish by 2:45 pm.

KOREAN FREESTYLE SLALOM ROLLER BLADING

glumbert - Korean Freestyle Slalom Rollerblading

Yeah, but can she do it in clown shoes six times a weekend?

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY...

First YouTube and now this...

I've just been told that during the last week my name has been removed from the list of "Notable Residents" on the Wikipedia entry for Tinton Falls, NJ. I wasn't sure why it was there in the first place, but it was nice to be considered "Notable".

I guess you need an active YouTube account to be considered "Notable" in this part of Central Jersey? Maybe the termination of my account has somehow disgraced Tinton Falls and affected my standing in the community?

Whatever.

THE DESANTOS: The Paul Jung Award

Photo taken, without any permission whatsoever, from the DeSanto Archives


Greg DeSanto shows off his "Felix" (as Karen presumably holds the camera). The DeSantos won 2007 Paul Jung Award for best "Duo, Trio or Alley" Clowning here on CLOWNALLEY.NET and the statuette was presented at an extremely austere and solemn ceremony (where Jason T. Stewart won adoration and accolades for his stirring "Mandate From the People" speech) in Tiandu City, China.

Aren't there two more awards still waiting to be given out before the voting starts for 2008?

CLOWN ALLEY: Beatty-Cole, 1960s

Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Clown Alley circa the mid-60s.

Eddie Dullam is 2nd from right in the top row.

Shorty Hinkle is on the left, Jimmy Armstrong on the right in the center row.

Lou Nagy is front and center.

DENNIS STEVEN: Ringling/Barnum, 1957

Longtime Beatty-Cole clown Dennis Steven on the Ringling/Barnum Circus in 1957. This is from another misidentified eBay auction. The seller thought that it was Felix Adler.

BOZO HARRELL

Identified as Emmett "Weary Willie" Kelly in a recent eBay auction, this is actually a photo of circus and burlesque comic Bozo Harrell.

LOU JACOBS: Ringling/Barnum, 1960s

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The preceding video is posted here on CLOWNALLEY.NET for educational purposes only by the Cashin Comedy Co.and, as such, the Cashin Comedy Co. is presumed clear from any liability due to copyright violation under Fair Use.

OTTO GRIEBLING: Cole Bros. Circus, 1940s

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The preceding video is posted here on CLOWNALLEY.NET for educational purposes only by the Cashin Comedy Co.and, as such, the Cashin Comedy Co. is presumed clear from any liability due to copyright violation under Fair Use.

CHECKERS: Sells and Gray Circus, 1970s

KONRAD THURANO

Circus Scandinavia reports that Konrad Thurano has passed away. Thurano was quite likely the oldest active circus artist in the world, continuing to perform his comic low wire act at the age of 97. Konrad died quietly in his home without any warning. The funeral took place in Denmark in Birkende church November 28th. at 11:00.