Former Ringling Blue Show performers David Kiser, Thom Wheaton and Zoe's parents Todd and Timea Zimmerman got a nice write up for their recent library show in the St. Augustine Record. You can read the article here.
Monday, February 18, 2008
ODD-O-T's ENTERTAINMENT: St Augustine Record
Link suggested by Don Covington
Former Ringling Blue Show performers David Kiser, Thom Wheaton and Zoe's parents Todd and Timea Zimmerman got a nice write up for their recent library show in the St. Augustine Record. You can read the article here.
Former Ringling Blue Show performers David Kiser, Thom Wheaton and Zoe's parents Todd and Timea Zimmerman got a nice write up for their recent library show in the St. Augustine Record. You can read the article here.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
MYSTERY CLOWN: John A. Strong Circus
Mystery clown in an undated photo taken on the John A. Strong Circus.
Was this the same show as the Big John Strong Circus?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
HENRY SALVADOR
Video and comments courtesy of Raffaele De Ritis
The legendary Henry Salvador, the oldest comedian and singer on earth, has passed away.
"90 years of music and gags", declared French president Sarkozy.
In this video, his version of the "whisky gag" at the Italian TV in 1962. Somewhere between Red Skelton and Fumagalli.
The legendary Henry Salvador, the oldest comedian and singer on earth, has passed away.
"90 years of music and gags", declared French president Sarkozy.
In this video, his version of the "whisky gag" at the Italian TV in 1962. Somewhere between Red Skelton and Fumagalli.
Yes, it does bear a strong resemblance to one of Red's best known and most requested bits, Guzzler's Gin. Perfected over the years in vaudeville and in nightclubs, it was later adapted by Lucille Ball into her well known Vitameatavegamin...
HARRY DANN: National Geographic
Photo from National Geographic
Here's a refreshing change, it's Harry Dann wearing Harry Dann's makeup.
Harry was the quintessential mid-century "picture clown" with his image promoted heavily during his years with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Harry's distinct neat whiteface makeup was appropriated by scores of other clowns and continues to be used to this day on posters, programs and circus tickets around the world.
GINA (ALAYNE) ALLISON
Photo courtesy of the Pillsbury Bake-Off
Don't make that face at me, Missy!
To ask Ms. Allison when she will be sending me my homemade cookies, please click here.
Don't make that face at me, Missy!
To ask Ms. Allison when she will be sending me my homemade cookies, please click here.
Friday, February 15, 2008
MYSTERY CLOWNS: Kansas City Police Circus, 1947
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
Looks less like a Police Circus and more like two clowns entertaining contestants at at a Woodrow and Mrs. Wilson look-a-like contest.
Looks less like a Police Circus and more like two clowns entertaining contestants at at a Woodrow and Mrs. Wilson look-a-like contest.
YURI NIKULIN
Link courtesy of Raffaele De Ritis
The legendary Yuri Nikulin, considered by most to have been far superior in the ring to more colorful and "party friendly" Oleg Popov.
Nikulin's partner in the video is likely Mihail Chuidin.
From Marcelo...
Hi Pat,
A little explanation about Nikulin's routine blow off. In Russia it's traditional to eat a cucumber after drinking vodka, to avoid a hangover (looks like it works !!!); so the crazy thing is that after spilling all the vodka, Nikulin and Chuidin (yes, it's him), lick their hands to have a little vodka and then they share a cucumber, as if they drank a lot. Nikulin's expressions are absolutely priceless... he was suffering way too much; maybe it was REAL vodka !!!.
Marcelo PEPPO Melison.
The legendary Yuri Nikulin, considered by most to have been far superior in the ring to more colorful and "party friendly" Oleg Popov.
Nikulin's partner in the video is likely Mihail Chuidin.
From Marcelo...
Hi Pat,
A little explanation about Nikulin's routine blow off. In Russia it's traditional to eat a cucumber after drinking vodka, to avoid a hangover (looks like it works !!!); so the crazy thing is that after spilling all the vodka, Nikulin and Chuidin (yes, it's him), lick their hands to have a little vodka and then they share a cucumber, as if they drank a lot. Nikulin's expressions are absolutely priceless... he was suffering way too much; maybe it was REAL vodka !!!.
Marcelo PEPPO Melison.
CLOWN COLLEGE: Milton Berle
Scan and comments courtesy of Greg DeSanto
Here's an odd one...
Perhaps Mike Karp can offer up some stories to go along with this Uncle Miltie snapshot. Along with Red Sketon, Lucy and now Milton having some direct ties to Clown College, it might be interesting to hear what the early clowns grads remember of these days.
-Greg
In the photo it looks like we have Michael Karp, Keith Crary, Chuck Sateja, Reggie Montgomery, Jim Howle and Prince Paul. I'm not sure about the identities of the little person next to Milton or the whiteface in the straw hat.
Here's an odd one...
Perhaps Mike Karp can offer up some stories to go along with this Uncle Miltie snapshot. Along with Red Sketon, Lucy and now Milton having some direct ties to Clown College, it might be interesting to hear what the early clowns grads remember of these days.
-Greg
In the photo it looks like we have Michael Karp, Keith Crary, Chuck Sateja, Reggie Montgomery, Jim Howle and Prince Paul. I'm not sure about the identities of the little person next to Milton or the whiteface in the straw hat.
GINA (ALAYNE) ALLISON
Potter?!?
You send homemade cookies to Rich Potter?!?
To find out more about "Betty Crocker" here, please click here.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
RICHARD SLAYTON JR.
Ruth Chaddock and Richard Slayton
Lara Heidtman-Smith, Richard, Ruth and Joel Heidtman
From Joel Heidtman...
Friends,
First, an emotional and sincere Thank You to those who have been remembering Richard Slayton.
I was specifically asked by Dottie to share the terrible news, since she knew that I would one of the people able to get the word out to as many people as possible. It was very difficult for me to spread this news, since though I know many of you, I do not know each and every single persons relationship with him. That is impossible. Hearing the news via e-mail must have been terrible, though I know in my heart Dottie did not want people to hear about this months later. Richard had a lot of friends, and they needed to know.
According to Dottie, Richard was outside working and when he returned to the house he did not feel well. She was unsure at the time of our conversation if Richard had suffered a coronary or an aneurism, but that seemed to be what the medics who arrived believed may be the case.
Richard was a great friend, a passionate and sincere believer in the fact that our common history truly is The Greatest Show on Earth, an extremely driven man, very fun and completely and 100% genuine. Richard Slayton was all of that... and a hundred times more.
For those of you that knew him, I sincerely share the pain of the untimely loss of a really great man. For those of you that unfortunately had not the opportunity to meet him I can only say this: ask one of us who did share our lives with him, and you will wish you had. We will be more that happy to tell you some great stories.
I said it that day and I will say it again: I loved him.
My solace comes from remembering our times on The Show, visits to his home in Idaho, reading e-mails from him and many, many phone calls that always lasted over an hour. In fact, if he called and got my voicemail, I knew I would have to have at least an hour clear when I called him back because we would always speak for way over a hour, and always talking about the same things - friends, family, and The Greatest Show On Earth.
A guestbook has been setup online to share your thoughts: http://www.naturesarsenal.com/richard/default.asp
To me, perhaps the best way to remember Richard is to use the exact text he supplied for the memorial book that was created when Duane "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe passed away in 1995 . Richard said:
"We should all celebrate his life! It was full and laughing and brimming with friends. It was always positive, always looking forward, never dwelling on the negative. We should all learn from him. We should all get together and remember his life, laugh, party, cut up jackpots! Be joyous and send him good thoughts. This will make him happy. Remember, he is not gone. His physical body may be gone, but his spirit always lives. We will all see him again someday in that glorious, happy place he is now. That is something to look forward to! Richard Slayton Jr."
Well said my friend.
May God Bless Richard Slayton.
Joel Heidtman
CLOWN ALLEY: Frankie Saluto
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
Frankie Saluto backstage on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1950's giving the VIP treatment to a large but unidentified family.
Frankie Saluto backstage on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1950's giving the VIP treatment to a large but unidentified family.
CLOWN ALLEY: Otto Griebling and Toby Jorio
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
Otto Griebling backstage, sitting on the running board of the Zacchini's cannon, accepting a balloon from an unidentified woman. It looks like Toby Jorio's in the background.
Otto Griebling backstage, sitting on the running board of the Zacchini's cannon, accepting a balloon from an unidentified woman. It looks like Toby Jorio's in the background.
CLOWN ALLEY: Otto Griebling and Toby Jorio
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
Otto Griebling backstage with an unidentified person.
These may have been taken in or around Los Angeles and this guy might have been local politician or minor celebrity.
That's just my guess.
Otto Griebling backstage with an unidentified person.
These may have been taken in or around Los Angeles and this guy might have been local politician or minor celebrity.
That's just my guess.
CEPILLIN: Excerpt
Video courtesy of gsalinascardona
An excerpt from a Latin-American film starring CepillÃn.
Why CepillÃn is up in the right hand corner waving at us and (more importantly) why he is dressed like Jimmy Page are never explained.
Maybe he's in Led Cepillin.
An excerpt from a Latin-American film starring CepillÃn.
Why CepillÃn is up in the right hand corner waving at us and (more importantly) why he is dressed like Jimmy Page are never explained.
Maybe he's in Led Cepillin.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
TONIGHT!!! NY AREA CLOWN GET-TOGETHER
Clown College Grads, Clown Care Doctors, "China Clowns", Downtown Clowns, Bindlestiffs and any and all other assorted Goofs!
Come out, hang out and beat the winter blahs!
NY Area Clown "Hang" TONIGHT from 6:00 PM until closing at The Harmony View Grille at 50th and Broadway in midtown.
All are welcome!
Spread the word!
Here's the website of the Harmony View...
http://www.harmonyview.com/
See you there!
~P
DAVID LARIBLE: From Raffaele De Ritis
From Raffaele,
During the Albacete festival competition (Spain), that will be held under a big top, an annex special event will be presented, in a special location.
Into the ring of the Albacete refurbished "Teatro-Circo" building (one of the few surviving in the world) , will be presented the David Larible one man show.
The show (created last year for Funambolika festival in Italy) is directed by Raffaele De Ritis. In the ring with David will be the white-face Gensi and Kuntz, the Roncalli pianist.
Welcome, March 1 to 3....
BATATOLAS: Circo Coliseu
Photos of Batatolas (Pedro Almedeida) from Circo Coliseu of Lisbon.
This is clownalley.net's 1.400 post since May 28, 2006. 1,400!?! If clownalley.net were a book you'd have put it down a long time ago ; )
MYSTERY CLOWN: Dukey Anderson?
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
My guess is Dukey Anderson.
Anyone out there know for sure?
EMMETT KELLY: Ringling, 1947
Emmett Kelly attempting to balance a feather on his nose while juggling three balls on the track of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, under canvas, in 1947.
Entertainment of this sort was all the rage back in nose-balance-and-juggling crazed, Truman-era post-war America ; )
CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling, Early 1950s
TOP: Ernie "Blinko" Burch, Otto Griebling
BOTTOM: Buzzy Potts, Emmett Kelly
OTTAVIO CANESTRELLI
With thanks to Paul Lopez
I haven't posted anything so far on the passing of Ottavio Canestrelli for several reasons, not least of which is that the story leaves me so profoundly saddened. I apologize for the delay.
I didn't know Ottavio. I'd never met him.
When I first heard news of his passing I'd assumed that he was an older performer who had left us after an illness. There were no details.
As the details came in, and fleshed out the story of his life for me, I was stunned.
We've lost an extremely gifted performer, a wonderful person and someone I wish that I'd been fortunate enough to know.
From Ottavio's final bio...
Ottavio Canestrelli was born and raised in the circus. He started performing at the tender age of 4 with his brothers; soon Ottavio became the star performer in his family's teeter-board act. He also had a hilarious comedy "knock-about" act with his twin brother.
After many years of traveling and performing throughout the US, Canada and Mexico the Pietro Canastrelli Family (as they were called) entered adulthood. As a result they went there separate ways.
Ottavio persued a career in acting and earned a degree in Theater but he found himself yearning for the physicality of the circus. Thus, returned with new skills as a solo artist, recreating himself as a Physical Comedian of yesteryear such a Buster Keaton
his skills are:
Ladder Act
German Wheel
Juggling
Comedy Chair Act
Teeter-board
Solo Trapeze
and countless others
I haven't posted anything so far on the passing of Ottavio Canestrelli for several reasons, not least of which is that the story leaves me so profoundly saddened. I apologize for the delay.
I didn't know Ottavio. I'd never met him.
When I first heard news of his passing I'd assumed that he was an older performer who had left us after an illness. There were no details.
As the details came in, and fleshed out the story of his life for me, I was stunned.
We've lost an extremely gifted performer, a wonderful person and someone I wish that I'd been fortunate enough to know.
From Ottavio's final bio...
Ottavio Canestrelli was born and raised in the circus. He started performing at the tender age of 4 with his brothers; soon Ottavio became the star performer in his family's teeter-board act. He also had a hilarious comedy "knock-about" act with his twin brother.
After many years of traveling and performing throughout the US, Canada and Mexico the Pietro Canastrelli Family (as they were called) entered adulthood. As a result they went there separate ways.
Ottavio persued a career in acting and earned a degree in Theater but he found himself yearning for the physicality of the circus. Thus, returned with new skills as a solo artist, recreating himself as a Physical Comedian of yesteryear such a Buster Keaton
his skills are:
Ladder Act
German Wheel
Juggling
Comedy Chair Act
Teeter-board
Solo Trapeze
and countless others
You may visit Ottavio's website by clicking here or visit his memorial MySpace page by clicking the title of this post.
Ottavio is, and will continue to be, greatly missed.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling, 2008
Video courtesy of Tezzey2006
Tom Dougherty and the clowns of the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey on opening night of the current Over the Top tour.
Tom Dougherty and the clowns of the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey on opening night of the current Over the Top tour.
EMMETT KELLY/FELIX ADLER
Photo courtesy of circusbutterflygirl
Emmett Kelly, less than halfway through his famous face and already wearing twice as much makeup as 98% of the current Ringling Alley, sharing a dressing room under Art Concello's seat wagons with Felix Adler in the late 40s/early 50s.
Exactly how they got Elinor "Princess" Donahue from TV's Father Knows Best to dress up in a showgirl outfit and hold their makeup mirror is anyone's guess ; )
DON CHRISTIAN/DUET BLUES
News courtesy of Circus Scandinavia
Don Christian who can be seen this coming season in the Finish Circus Finlandia, has been contracted for the 2009 season in the Swedish Circus Maximum.
For the 2008 season the clowning will be done by the Russian reprise clowns Duet Blues. Duet Blues appeared with the Danish Circus Arena in 2006.
Don Christian who can be seen this coming season in the Finish Circus Finlandia, has been contracted for the 2009 season in the Swedish Circus Maximum.
For the 2008 season the clowning will be done by the Russian reprise clowns Duet Blues. Duet Blues appeared with the Danish Circus Arena in 2006.
JOHN TOY
A fixture on the Shrine circuit, John Toy taught one (unhappy) session at Clown College under Bill Ballantine.
From Jackie LeClaire...
The clown in the photo is John Toy or Johnny Toy. He clowned with me on the Orin Davenport dates in the 50's. He was from Minneapolis, Minn. His mother I think owned a dramatic school or taught there. Pardon my spelling but I think it was The McPhail School of Dramatic Arts. I visited it once myself. John Toy had instant memory. We could go to a musical movie and he would come out knowing all the words to the tunes. He had worked, and here I go with the spelling again in the ( probably 40's) dramatic presentations called Chetalkwas (?) He was a very brilliant man and loved clowning. He later married and for all I know may still be alive today. He has a mind that was hard to keep up with. Excellent, hard working clown with a definite individual style of his own.—Jackie LeClaire
Greg DeSanto informs us that Mr. Toy passed away several years ago and his costumes and props were donated to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.
COCO THE CLOWN: Mills Bros. Circus, 1950s
Nicolai Poliakoff's (Coco the Clown of the Bertram Mills Circus) two sons, Sasha and Michael, on the Mills Bros. Circus in America in the 1950s.
Both went back to the UK but Michael returned a few years later and was an essential part of the Ringling Alley in the 1960s.
HOSPITAL CLOWNING
I've begun hospital clowning again.
I'm not with the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit (and I'm not currently at liberty to discuss my possibly joining the CCU somewhere down the road) but with my own program at a nearby hospital.
I'd forgotten how much I truly loved it until my first round yesterday.
I'm hooked again!
Monday, February 11, 2008
LOU JACOBS: Whiteface
I don't know how many times Lou wore this whiteface (it couldn't have been much) but there must be a billion and seven pictures of him in it.
THIS is the makeup that Larry Harmon should have adapted for the actors who would play Bozo the Clown on TV. Instead, most seem to have adapted Jimmy Stewart's makeup from The Greatest Show on Earth.
BILLY BURKE: Dobritch Photo
Speaking of adapting Lou's makeup, here's a 60s-era headshot of Billie Burke from the Dobritch show.
It wasn't Billie who was behind the 8-ball ; )
~P
PAT VALDO: Retirement
Didn't Pat Valdo retire around 1970?
This picture couldn't have been taken after April of 1965.
And just what kind of a world did we live in where a circus press photo of Pat Valdo also contains Paul Jung holding a gun to Prince Paul's head?
I believe that the other clown is one of Jung's pals, either Myron Orton or Harry Nelson
MYSTERY CLOWN: Georgetti Brothers
Photo and comments courtesy of Marcelo Melison
From Marcelo...
Pat:
Here you have yet another photo of the Mystery Clown... I don't know the Clown drawing the caricature (can HE be another Mystery Clown?) but the two other Clowns are the Georgetti Bros.
Looks like a Shriners' Circus, don't you think?. By the way, the previous photo was taken in 1949, so that can give you an idea about the age of the photo you posted in your blog...
Best always,
Marcelo PEPPO Melison
The clown at the easle drawing the caricature looks like Sa-So, which would most likely make this the Hamid-Morton Shrine Circus.
From Marcelo...
Pat:
Here you have yet another photo of the Mystery Clown... I don't know the Clown drawing the caricature (can HE be another Mystery Clown?) but the two other Clowns are the Georgetti Bros.
Looks like a Shriners' Circus, don't you think?. By the way, the previous photo was taken in 1949, so that can give you an idea about the age of the photo you posted in your blog...
Best always,
Marcelo PEPPO Melison
The clown at the easle drawing the caricature looks like Sa-So, which would most likely make this the Hamid-Morton Shrine Circus.
PIE FACE: TV Commercial
Pie Face, the game that permanently scarred the psyche of a young Gregory DeSanto ; )
Sunday, February 10, 2008
MR. & MRS. DITTMAR: Budapest
Roland Dittmar and Agnes Nemeth, winners of the bronze prize at the 7th International Circus Festival of Budapest, 2008.
JEFF DARNELL REMEMBERS: Bobby Kay, 1980
Photo and comments courtesy of Jeff Darnell
Hi Pat,
Here's a photo from 1980 of me and Bobby Kay!
Taken in the Alley in MSG.
He was a great clown!
JD
Hi Pat,
Here's a photo from 1980 of me and Bobby Kay!
Taken in the Alley in MSG.
He was a great clown!
JD
Saturday, February 09, 2008
SERGUEI CHACHELEV: Chair Gag, Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba
Video courtesy of Stevie Oddsocks, information courtesy of Michael McLeod of The Orlando Sentinel
Outside of David Shiner's appearance in Nouvelle Experience my favorite Cirque clowning is that of Russian-born Serguei Chachelev and his Canadian partner Michel Deschamps in La Nouba.
Chachelev is very unique in that he has been deaf and mute since childhood.
Most performers learn to listen for audience reaction to gauge how well a gag is going over. They adjust the act accordingly. Chachelev simply watches Deschamps for subtle cues. Because so much of clowning is about body language, he sees no reason to call his deafness a disability.
"I was born to be a clown," he signs.
Outside of David Shiner's appearance in Nouvelle Experience my favorite Cirque clowning is that of Russian-born Serguei Chachelev and his Canadian partner Michel Deschamps in La Nouba.
Chachelev is very unique in that he has been deaf and mute since childhood.
Most performers learn to listen for audience reaction to gauge how well a gag is going over. They adjust the act accordingly. Chachelev simply watches Deschamps for subtle cues. Because so much of clowning is about body language, he sees no reason to call his deafness a disability.
"I was born to be a clown," he signs.
ZIPPY THE PINHEAD: Bozo's Revenge
Submitted by Rik "Bonzo Crunch" Gern
It does feel as though we are coming up on the end of the whole "Angry Clowns/I Hate Clowns/Evil Clowns" era, doesn't it?
It does feel as though we are coming up on the end of the whole "Angry Clowns/I Hate Clowns/Evil Clowns" era, doesn't it?
JANGO EDWARDS: NY TV Appearance, Late 1970s
Video suggested by Tom Piccard
Jango Edwards in the late 70s on New York City cable access show "If I Can't Dance, You Can Keep Your Revolution".
From Ms. Coca Crystal, host of the show...
From 1977 through 1995 I was the producer and star of a public access television show that aired in NYC. With a lot of help from my friends, and volunteers we had 18 years of anti-authoritarian television. The show was called, "If I Can't Dance, You Can Keep Your Revolution."
It was my intent to have a television version of an underground newspaper, much like the East Village Other, where I had been employed previously.
The result was a wonderful mix of guests like Abbie Hoffman, Debbie Harry, Tuli Kupferberg, Michio Kaku, and hundreds of other fabulous people who fit the criteria of being anti-authoritarian.
Ms. Crystal is alive and well and living in the Catskills. She has many other clips from her show available on You Tube and she can be reached at cocacrystal@yahoo.com .
Jango Edwards in the late 70s on New York City cable access show "If I Can't Dance, You Can Keep Your Revolution".
From Ms. Coca Crystal, host of the show...
From 1977 through 1995 I was the producer and star of a public access television show that aired in NYC. With a lot of help from my friends, and volunteers we had 18 years of anti-authoritarian television. The show was called, "If I Can't Dance, You Can Keep Your Revolution."
It was my intent to have a television version of an underground newspaper, much like the East Village Other, where I had been employed previously.
The result was a wonderful mix of guests like Abbie Hoffman, Debbie Harry, Tuli Kupferberg, Michio Kaku, and hundreds of other fabulous people who fit the criteria of being anti-authoritarian.
Ms. Crystal is alive and well and living in the Catskills. She has many other clips from her show available on You Tube and she can be reached at cocacrystal@yahoo.com .
Friday, February 08, 2008
KIRK MARSH: International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain
I've just been told that Kirk Marsh (fellow Clown College class of '97 alum) has been invited to compete in the 1st International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain at the end of February. It'll be his European debut with his own material and he's very excited.
For more info on Kirk, please click the title of this post.
CLAIRE WEDEMEYER: Kelly-Miller Circus
Claire Wedemeyer, a very personable and talented young clown, formerly with the Kelly-Miller Circus and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
MYSTERY CLOWN
Photo courtesy of "circusbutterflygirl"
We haven't had a "mystery clown" in awhile. Anyone know who this is?
For some reason I want to guess that it's Rudy Dockey but I don't know why.
____________________________________
This just in from Marcelo...
Hello Pat:
well, the mystery Clown is none other than... one of the Georgetti Bros. (no idea abour his first name...) and I'm enclosing a photo of both of them. You will see that he is wearing identical wardrobe and make up in both photos...
Best always from
Marcelo PEPPO Melison...
Thanks Marcelo!
We haven't had a "mystery clown" in awhile. Anyone know who this is?
For some reason I want to guess that it's Rudy Dockey but I don't know why.
____________________________________
This just in from Marcelo...
Hello Pat:
well, the mystery Clown is none other than... one of the Georgetti Bros. (no idea abour his first name...) and I'm enclosing a photo of both of them. You will see that he is wearing identical wardrobe and make up in both photos...
Best always from
Marcelo PEPPO Melison...
Thanks Marcelo!
BOBBY KAY: Undated Photo
By all accounts, one of the very nicest men who ever lived.
The third of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Master Clowns, Robert "Bobby Kay" Smiley.
JANGO EDWARDS: By Tom Piccard
Photo, comments and video links courtesy of Tom Piccard
This is Jango Edwards__ALL OF HIM__Well most of him anyway
.No this is snapshot from one his performances and the way he ends most all of his shows..Butt naked ..I could write 50 pages of the many Mis-adventures we have had together__I first met him in Italy in 1987__Since that time it has been my honor to work with him on many shows...
He is a genius of comedy and has almost put me and several other performers in jail so many times I've lost count...I was surprised when I saw the clip below as they actually featured a little of me performing on that show...He now lives in Spain as he had to flee Amsterdam for reasons I will not go into...This clip doesn't do him justice so I put a second one on this posting to show him at his Best when he is just turned lose on people...He's The man with the million dollar nose Jango Edwards at The festival of fools...Amsterdam..1996.
THE NEXT CLIP THEY HAVE TURNED HIM LOSE AT AN SPANISH MOVIE AWARDS CEREMONY IN SPAIN ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN SPANISH TV AND MOVIES...HE IS ALWAYS THIS WAY..NO MATTER WHERE HE IS.
This is Jango Edwards__ALL OF HIM__Well most of him anyway
.No this is snapshot from one his performances and the way he ends most all of his shows..Butt naked ..I could write 50 pages of the many Mis-adventures we have had together__I first met him in Italy in 1987__Since that time it has been my honor to work with him on many shows...
He is a genius of comedy and has almost put me and several other performers in jail so many times I've lost count...I was surprised when I saw the clip below as they actually featured a little of me performing on that show...He now lives in Spain as he had to flee Amsterdam for reasons I will not go into...This clip doesn't do him justice so I put a second one on this posting to show him at his Best when he is just turned lose on people...He's The man with the million dollar nose Jango Edwards at The festival of fools...Amsterdam..1996.
THE NEXT CLIP THEY HAVE TURNED HIM LOSE AT AN SPANISH MOVIE AWARDS CEREMONY IN SPAIN ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN SPANISH TV AND MOVIES...HE IS ALWAYS THIS WAY..NO MATTER WHERE HE IS.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
CHUCK SILDOW: Feelin' Better!
Circus Sarasota's Chuck Sidlow, seen here with his lovely and very beautiful wife, Noriko...
Alright, you got me... Chuck is seen here not with his wife Noriko but with his lovely and very beautiful Laughter Unlimited partner, Mr. Jackie LeClaire.
Be that as it may, I spoke with Chuck yesterday and both he and Noriko are doing much better and deeply appreciate the outpouring of affection they have received from the international circus and clown communities.
If you'd like to drop him a line you can contact him at
Chuck Sidlow
c/o Circus Sarasota
8251 15th St. E Suite B
Sarasota, FL 34243
Circus Sarasota opened last Friday to wonderful box office and runs through the 24th before moving to Estero, FL March 11-30th. To find out more about the show please click the title of this post.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TUBA!
Very happy 29th birthday wishes go out today to my friend and fellow "chinaclown", Michael "Tuba" Heatherton!
Many happy returns!
ROB TORRES: In Budapest
Rob Torres, a fellow Ringling Clown College grad from New Jersey as well as a fellow Beatty-Cole Advance Clown, rocking the house at the 7th annual Circus Festival in Budapest where he took home the bronze.
Congratulations Rob!
FELIX ADLER: Big Momma's House
"Funny Felix" shows why his milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.
LITTLE TICH
Raffaele de Ritis has posted a very nice piece on Harry Relph, better known as Little Tich, on his blog. Read it by clicking the title of this post.
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