HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLY BAKER!

I would like to extend this laurel and hearty handshake to today's birthday boy, Mr. Elwood Smooch hisself, ICHOF-er Mr. William James Baker!

Happy 29th, sir!

To learn more about Mr. Baker's long and distinguished career in comedy please click here.

TUBA HEATHERTON: Imperial Forces Capture Tuba

Photo taken by Jeff Darnell, supplied courtesy of Barry Phillips


The cellphone photos that I took today of Angie's Circus City Diner, Showman's Rest and the Kelly-Miller, Culpepper & Meriweather and Carson & Barnes Winter Quarters won't "send" from here in Hugo so here is a photo of Tuba Heatherton being accosted by Imperial Stormtroopers.

May the Force be with him.

KELLY MILLER: Winter Quarters, Hugo OK

I arrived in Hugo, OK last night, but without my mac's power cord which I left back at the house. Terry is Fed Ex-ing it so I should be back up and running and able to post some photos tomorrow afternoon.

More then.

TOM DOUGHERTY: Paul Gutheil Photos

Photos courtesy of Paul and Diane Gutheil



Tom Dougherty with the 2007 Otto Griebling Award, presented at the Izod Center during the CFA's Felix Adler Tent "Sugarfest" Saturday March 8, 2007.

I wish that we had been able to get one group shot with all the current and former Ringling clowns who were in attendance.

SLAVA POLUNIN: Phones

Slava in 1981, pre-Snow Show.

ANDRES AGUILAR AND ARTUS CHAVEZ

Video suggested by Jay from the 136th Edition Blue Alley, now back in Mexico


Norvak Poderoso DeMente features Andres Aguilar, a Clown College class of 1996 graduate who toured with the Ringling Blue Unit for two years.

The show is directed by Artus Chavez, same Clown College class and who clowned one season in the Blue Alley.

TOM DOUGHERTY: 2007 Otto Griebling Award Presentation

Thanks go out this morning to the Felix Adler Tent of the CFA for another fine "Sugarfest" at the Izod Center (formerly the Continental Airlines Arena, formerly the Meadowlands Arena, formerly the Brendan Byrne Arena, soon to be demolished anyway) at which we had the opportunity to present Tom Dougherty with his 2007 Otto Griebling Award for Solo Clowning.

We were fortunate enough to have Ruth Chaddock, Barry Lubin, Fudi, Joel Jeske, Paul and Diane Gutheil, Maxine House, Alan Miller, the Blue Show cast and crew (including the entire Alley), the Circus Fans and many others in attendance for the presentation and I am deeply indebted to Mr. Jeske for his introduction.

Tom was genuinely touched and quite honored to be so recognized by his peers and to have the award presented in such an seemingly tailor-made environment.

If you have not yet seen the new Blue Show, Tom Dougherty seems to have inhertited James Brown's title as, far and away, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business. He is seldom off the floor and gives 100% throughout the entire show.

He's an amazing performer and a wonderful guy and Andrew Scharff and I apologize profusely for unintentionally keeping him out so late in the middle of a six-pack weekend on the night that we set the clocks ahead. D'oh!

KGB CLOWNS

What's possible with the classic "Dead and Alive" structure if you're willing to take the time and effort to invest it with your own character and material.

EL AMIGO MAX: Magica Para NIÑOS!

Watch and learn, watch and learn...

THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS: Thanks!

Thanks go out this morning to The Big Apple Circus (and particularly to our host Mr. Don Covington) for a wonderful time yesterday.

Shane got to shake hands with Grandma, Fumagalli and Daris and I was a ringside participant in the Busy Bee entree. Were Fumagalli performing the entree as he does in Europe I'm sure that I would have been drenched.

We then had lunch with Matthew Pauli who left the Applebees parking lot by tipping his hat, jumping onto the cresent moon and magically flying back to the lot in a cloud of whimsy dust*.

* See actual unretouched photo above. If you've never seen him do it, it really is pretty amazing!

THE CAROLINA CLOWNS: Steve and Elizabeth Lough

Steve and Elizabeth Lough are internationally known circus clowns who now live in the Raleigh/Durham area with their two performing Jack Russell Terriers, "Grock" and "Lucy." Toured with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus for six years, and with Kinoshita Circus in Japan for three years.

Steve and Elizabeth have performed for: The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, the Pentagon Day Care, local TV shows all across America, amusement parks, hospitals, restaurants, libraries, and private birthday parties.

Steve is a 1987 graduate of the world famous Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Clown College (Venice, FL) and a 1987 graduate of Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) which is, coincidentally, the alma mater of Dr. Seuss, Captain Kangaroo, and Mr. Rogers.Elizabeth is a 1990 graduate of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Clown College Japan. She is a former aerobics instructor and a direct decendant of Samurai. She has traded in her sword, though, for the much more dangerous "ACCORDION."

To find out more about Steve and Elizabeth please click here.

PRINCE PAUL ALPERT: Janette Rainwater Series

Photo courtesy of Michael Rainwater


Prince Paul Alpert, Nov. 27, 1954 at the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL by Dr. Janette Rainwater.

This photo concludes the series of photos that Michael Rainwater has generously shared with us and our thanks go out to his magnanimity as well as his mother's photographic talents.

DAVID LARIBLE: International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain

Video courtesy of RadioTelevisión Castilla - La Mancha



Un circo no sería un circo sin un payaso, y el Festival Internacional de Circo de Albacete no sería lo que es sin un buen clown. Por eso, allí han elegido, nada menos, que al payaso más célebre del mundo. Se llama David Larible y, sí, es el payaso más célebre del mundo. Lo comparan con Charlie Rivel. Mamó el circo desde niño y salió por primera vez a la pista como acróbata. Con el tiempo cumplió su sueño y ahora recorre el mundo recibiendo aplausos y sin decir ni una sola palabra. Hoy y mañana actúa en Festival Internacional de Circo Ciudad de Albacete. Es la figura más importante del espectáculo porque le toca hacer reír. Sale a la pista con la intención de dar y no de recibir.


Alta Vista Babelfish translation:

A circus would not be a circus without a clown, and the Festival the International of Circus of Albacete would not be what is without good clown. For that reason, they have chosen there, nothing less, than to the most famous clown of the world. David Larible is called and, yes, he is the most famous clown of the world. They compare it with Charlie Rivel. It sucked the circus from boy and it went for the first time to the track like acrobat. With time it fulfilled its dream and now it crosses the world receiving applause and without saying nor a single word. Today and tomorrow the International of Circus acts in Festival City of Albacete. It is the most important figure of the spectacle because it is called on to him to make laugh. It goes to the track with the intention to give and not to receive.

KIRK MARSH: International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain

Photo courtes of AUCIRQUE


I spoke with Kirk Marsh the other day upon his return to the States from the International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain.

He didn't leave with a trophy, but none of the other clowns did either. What he did leave with was a pocket full of job offers and a long list of very solid contacts.

Not too shabby for your first international competition. Nice job, Kirk!

CLOWN COLLEGE 1985: Robb Zeiser

Photo courtesy of Barry "Barry The Light Guy" Phillips


Robb Zeiser then...

and now...

VLADIMIR OLSHANKY: Strange Games

Slava-ish imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

2008 FELIX ADLER AWARDS: Vote Now!

Since no ballots have been received as of yet we are adding a new category for 2008: THE HARRY DANN AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE CLOWN. This comes after the subject of "Why no award for picture clowns?" came up at least three times this past weekend.

Ask and ye shall receive!

As for the voting itself, I apologize for the delay in starting the process but I had been exploring several options that I thought would all make the process easier and more secure.

Ultimately none of them would work for our purposes better than what we did last year so...

Cast your votes for the 2008 Felix Adler Awards by sending an email to me at cashincomedy@mac.com with your votes and the words 2008 FELIX ADLER AWARDS in the subject line.

To review...

Voting will continue through Monday March 31, 2008.

The winners will be announced on April 1st, 2008.



Voting will take place in the following three categories:

OTTO GRIEBLING AWARD: For Best Solo Clowning of 2008

PAUL JUNG AWARD: For Best Duo, Trio or Ensemble Clowning of 2008

HARRY DANN AWARD: For Best Picture Clown of 2008


The LOU JACOBS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD will henceforth be voted on privately by members of "The Academy" and will be presented with the involvement, approval and at the discretion of the Jacobs family.


It is the decision of "The Academy" that the rules for this year's awards shall be:

1) The FELIX ADLER AWARDS are given to American circus clowns or foreign circus clowns working in the United States of America between January 1st and December 31st, 2007.

2) It is the decision of "The Academy" that American circus clowns performing abroad between January 1st and December 31st are eligible for a 2007 "Felix".

3) It is the decision of "The Academy" that BOTH editions of the Big Apple Circus that appeared during the calendar year 2007 are eligible.

4) Ballots for the 2008 FELIX ADLER AWARDS will now be tallied by the accounting department at Mformation Technologies of Edison, NJ.


So cast your votes and send them to cashincomedy@mac.com before midnight on March 31st!

PAUL HOROMPO: Janette Rainwater Series

Photo courtesy of Michael Rainwater



Paul Horompo, in makeup but out of costume, by Janette Rainwater.

DICK "ROCKO" LEWIS: Meets Superman

Online Videos by Veoh.com
Dick "Rocko" Lewis as "Rollo" performing his table rock on The Adventures of Superman.

From Dick's daughter, Kathleen Fox...

Hi Pat,

I hadn't checked your website for awhile. I just saw the new photo that you posted of my dad, working in Baraboo. I am sorry that I have not been able to send you any new ones. My family member who was suppose to be putting all the circus photos on a DVD or CD for us did not finish yet. I will try to help her this summer when I am not working.

Meanwhile I had ordered the Superman video that my dad was in. My whole family watched at Christmas, most of the younger members had never seen my dad perform, so it was pretty special. The only thing was that his name was not in the credits. I am going to try to contact the studio that produced it to see if we could get a written confirmation that that was my dad. We, however, all picked him out immediately. If you have seen that episode, it is about a good clown vs. a bad clown. There is some sort of telethon going on and Superman figures out that the good clown is tied up and the bad clown , who is dressed just like him goes to the telethon to perform. Neither of those guys was my day, they are much thinner and taller (actors) but when the actual performance occurs, my dad bounds on stage, doing some really funny stuff, trying to swat at a bug or something. He then climbs up and does the table rock on camera and lands on his feet!

My brothers were really excited to see it, recognizing all the little details in the tables and other props that were shown on camera. My brother ,Bob, says that he and my dad performed on TV on The Spade Cooley Show. I am going to try to research that one of these days (that guy has a weird story too). Anyway, I thought that you might like to hear that that was really my dad on that Superman video. We could all recognize his body language and face shape, etc. So, thanks again for keeping including my dad in your circus history blog!

Kathe Fox

Thank you, Kathe!

NY DOWNTOWN CLOWN WORKSHOP: Thanks!

Thanks go out this morning to Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe of the NY Downtown Clown Revue for a great time last night!

Thanks also go out to friends and fellow China Clowns Matthew Duncan and Hillary Chaplain as well as my pal Keith Nelson of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus for coming by.

Hopefully we'll be able to do this again soon as I'm planning to have another presentation ready for the scheduled May trip to China.

Olé

Paul Morocco and Olé.

These guys would K I L L on a one-ring show!

I first saw a clip of Olé (as well as Rudy Coby) on a flight to Singapore in 1999 and was blown away by them, but since none of the acts were introduced by name I never had a chance to find out who they were until yesterday when Paul Morocco sent me a MySpace friend request.

I am now honored to be a friend of Paul Morocco and Olé.

EMMETT KELLY: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



Emmett Kelly as seen through the lens of Janette Rainwater at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Winter Quarters in Sarasota, FL in late November of 1954.

NY DOWNTOWN CLOWN PLAYGROUND: TONIGHT!

March 3rd Clown Playground- Pat Cashin's CLOWNALLEY.NET Classic Clown Acts Video Presentation

The video presentation will be one hour and 30 minutes of classic circus clowning from around the world, culled from hundreds of hours of film and video that Mr. Cashin has collected over the last 25 years.


The March video presentation features such performers as:

Tom & Tammy Parrish, Lou Jacobs, The Rastellis, Walter Galletti, Otto Griebling, The Pickle Family Circus clowns (Bill Irwin, Geoff Hoyle & Larry Pisoni), George Carl and Charlie Rivel.

WHEN: Monday, 3/3/2008, 9-10:30pm
WHERE:440 Studios, 440 Lafayette St. (btwn Astor Place and 4th St. and across the street from The Public Theater.) Studio 4E, on the 4th Fl.
FEE: $10

Space is limited so reserve your space by emailing us at
play@newyorkdowntownclown.com

CIRCO DE TRES ANILLOS

Descargan del ejército y consiguen Jerry Hotchkiss (Jerry Lewis) y a Pete Nelson (Dean Martin) trabajos en el circo. Jerry hace un payaso y eclipsa Puffo, festured a payaso, se enciende que cuando él se queja. Jerry llega a ser Jerrico el Payaso de la maravilla.

MELHA SHRINE CLOWN UNIT: Thanks!

Hearty thanks go out this morning to Craig "Doc" Kazin, my pal Gary "Gilligan" Spear and the Melha Shrine Clown Unit of Springfield, MA for inviting me up on Friday night for a video presentation of some rare clown footage.

We had a great time and everyone got home before the worst of the snowstorm Friday night. I stayed in the guest suite at the lovely Spear Inn (accomodations include continental breakfast as well as access to the private theater and sauna) in beautiful West Springfield before heading out on Saturday to Gary's parent's house, the home of the Spear Specialty Shoe Company.

The Spears are just about the nicest couple you'd ever want to meet and the quality of their shoes is second to none. Fumagalli recently bought a pair and raved about them!

To find out more about the Spear's Specialty Shoe Company please click here.

Be sure to ask for my "Hudda Mudda"; )

CIRCUS SARSOTA: Clown Workshops

Update courtesy of Chuck Sidlow



FYI,
CIRCUS SARASOTA IS OPENING IN ESTRA, ON MARCH 11 THRU THE 30TH.
THE BIG TOP IS NOW UP JUST SOUTH OF FT.MYERS, EXIT 123 ON U.S.75.
WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL “CLOWN” WORKSHOP IN THE BIG TOP
ON THURSDAY MARCH 13, STARTING AT 4PM.

KAREN BELL AND I ALONG WITH OUR GUEST ARTISTS, AND PERFORMING CLOWNS
DICK AND TIFFANY MONDAY, (FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE RINGLING BROS. CLOWN COLLEGE )
WILL CONDUCT THE PROGRAM.

THE PRICE IS A $25 DONATION TO OUR “LAUGHTER UNLIMITED” HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAM.
THIS INCLUDES A TICKET TO THE 7 PM PERFORMANCE THAT EVENING!PLEASE RSVP TO ME!
HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US,
CHUCK

Chuck Sidlow
Circus Sarasota
Senior Program Manager
chuck@circussarasota.org
941-928-2246
For more information please contact Chuck Sidlow at 941-928-2246 or Chuck@CircusSarasota.org

FRANK CROMWELL: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



More photos of the mysterious Mr. Frank Cromwell from late November 1954 courtesy of the Janette Rainwater series.

FRANK CROMWELL

I don't know much about Mr. Cromwell or his years on the Ringling show other than that, during the height of the Howdy Doody craze in the 1950s, he appeared in a tie-in on Ringling as a Clarabell-like character named Dorabell.

SUNDAY MORNING ART GALLERY: Bernie Kallman and Jim Howle

The timeless, classic grotesque whiteface of the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus' Bernie Kallman and American circus clowning's preeminent portrait artist, Jim Howle by BarbBarcikKeith.

Prints of her work are for sale and can be viewed by clicking the title of this post.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations go out today to two of my favorite people in the whole wide world, Lara and Mike Smith, who I've been told are expecting their 22nd child.

It isn't widely known but the reason that Kenneth Feld chose to close Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1998 was that extensive research informed him that, rather than training young clown hopefuls, it was actually more effective to begin his own specialized breeding program.

Mr. Feld selected his very funniest and most virile of male clowns and his very best female picture clown, had them legally married, and let them roam free to breed at his new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Clown Conservation in Kooskia, Idaho.

In this way Kenneth Feld was sure to have only the best looking, funniest clowns for the The Greatest Show on Earth®.

Jay and Kristin Stewart have been breeding beautiful whiteface cubs in the wild in various locations on the east coast for the last few years. I believe that the plan is to team each of these rare whitefaces with the Conservation Center's herd when each set reaches peak comedy potential.


Below is information on the Conservation Center's program...


A lifelong symbol of The Greatest Show on Earth®, the American circus clown is a respected and revered member of the Ringling Bros. family. In the interest of the species’ present and future well-being, the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation was established in 1998. Located in Kooskia, ID, this 200-acre, $5-million, state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to the conservation, breeding and understanding of these amazing performers.

Conservation

Endangered species? Not if we can help it. With only a small handful of professional American circus clowns remaining in the world, circus historians and bloggers agree that it requires programs such as the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation to ensure the American circus clown population is guaranteed a long and safe future.

Breeding

Threatened by the severe habitat encroachment of "featured clowns" (also known as "power clowns") in their usual spots, the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation provides a safe, healthy environment where American circus clowns are secure and comfortable. Our breeding program is one of the most flourishing of its kind, with twenty one births thus far.

Understanding

Built upon the 137 years of experience and expertise of working with circus comedians, the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation has become a global focal point for the study of American circus clowns. The Ringling Bros. Center hosts researchers, academicians and conservationists to create new dialogue focused around clown care, conservation and health and to exchange knowledge. Experts from around the world visit the Ringling Bros. Center to study the American circus clown, including Dr. Bruce Banner, Professor at Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Nick Riviera, American circus clown expert and "Zippo", Belgian Party Clown and Chotchky Collector.


Why the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation?


With less than a handful of American circus clowns left in the American circus industry, and the opportunities outside of production numbers of those in the wild increasingly threatened, captive breeding programs like the one at the Ringling Bros. Center for Clown Conservation are vital to the future survival of this amazing species.


"A concerted effort to save the American circus clown is imperative. Cruise ships and China trips are doing their best with the resources they have, but most can't afford to maintain a large breeding group of clowns. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Clown Conservation is dedicated to saving the American circus clown and has both the resources and the commitment to succeed."
---Axel Foley, Director Emeritus, Donniker-Breath Circus

Quote from Dr. Troy McClure, AVPA (American Variety Performers Association) President, “Guidelines such as those issued by the PRCA and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus can serve as effective models for other groups and individuals using clowns in entertainment.” The article in JAVPA on June 1, 2003 went on to say, “…he visited the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Clown Conservation. He was impressed by the clown welfare guidelines and quality of animation DVDs provided by The DeSanto Center for Circus Comedy in Baraboo, WI, as well as the importance their staff placed on classic Warner and MGM cartoon watching for early comedy developement and well-being.” McClure added, “We must encourage the highest level of comedy education and welfare for all clowns, irrespective of their purpose.”

Ringling Bros. clown trainer Rusty Shackleford explains, "Because of the long tradition we share with our clowns and their integral role in our shows, it's important for Ringling Bros. to create entertaining and learning experiences for families to see first hand how intelligent these magnificent American circus clowns are. The kids here today will never forget seeing an American circus clown up close and personal and for a lifetime will have a better sense of our shared responsibility in protecting and caring for clowns, especially those who are whitefaces."


"The circus clown has always been a symbol of The Greatest Show On Earth®. The Ringling Bros. Center will ensure that people will be able to experience the joy and wonder of American circus clown up close and personal for generations to come." ---Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO Feld Entertainment

BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS: Keith Nelson

Link courtesy of jm5star



A insightful interview with Bindlestiff Co-founder Keith Nelson by Christopher Lueck. Video Tape by Jim Moore. Keith talks about his life on the road and starting a Cirkus company in the worst time in NYC's history.

OTTO GRIEBLING: With Lee Belser

Otto Griebling with wire service reporter Lee Belser in 1958.

10,000

I just got back home from my Clown Doctor duties at Jersey Shore to find that, in the very short month of February clownalley.net has already received over 10,000 hits and almost 22,000 page views for the month.

Thank you!

2008 FELIX ADLER AWARDS

Voting will begin in the 2008 Felix Adler Awards this Saturday, March 1st, 2008.

Voting will continue through Monday March 31, 2008.

The winners will be announced on April 1st, 2008.



Voting will take place in the following two categories:

OTTO GRIEBLING AWARD: For Solo Clowning

PAUL JUNG AWARD: For Duo, Trio or Ensemble Clowning


The LOU JACOBS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD will henceforth be voted on privately by members of "The Academy" and will be presented with the involvement, approval and at the discretion of the Jacobs family.


It is the decision of "The Academy" that the rules for this year's awards shall be:

1) The FELIX ADLER AWARDS are given to American or foreign circus clowns working in the United States of America between January 1st and December 31st, 2007.

2) It is the decision of "The Academy" that American circus clowns performing abroad between January 1st and December 31st are eligible for a 2007 "Felix".

3) It is the decision of "The Academy" that BOTH editions of the Big Apple Circus that appeared during the calendar year 2007 are eligible.

4) Ballots for the 2008 FELIX ADLER AWARDS will now be tallied by the accounting department at Mformation Technologies of Edison, NJ.

5) Information of how to cast your ballot will be announce tomorrow morning.


Congratulations once again to the 2007 winners, Tom Dougherty, Greg and Karen DeSanto and Barry Lubin and I look forward to watching Jay Stewart roast the 2008 winners ; )

PEPPI: Jay Miller Circus, 2007

JOE SHERMAN: In the Hospital in Cincinnati, OH

Greetings;

I wanted to let you know that Joe Vani, (Joe Sherman of the Sherman Brothers) is ill and in the hospital in Cincinnati. He suffered a broken hip and has been moving between the hospital and a nursing home. A bout with pneumonia brought him back to the hospital yet again.

Joe will be 95 this year on June 12th. He's at Bethesda North Hospital on Montgomery Rd. in Cincy.


I'm sure Joe would love to get some cards and letters.

His home address is:

Joe Vani
29 Tabaleen Lane
Milford, OH 45150

The address at the hospital is:

Mr. Joe Vani
Bethesda North Hospital
10500 N Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45242


The Red unit opened in Cincy today. I'm hoping to get word to Bello that Joe's ill. They're good friends.


Please pass the word that one of the last great American clowns of the past is ailing.

Regards;
Arte Bausman

WALTER GUICE: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



More from the Janette Rainwater series; here's someone that I know almost nothing about other than that he spent several years with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Walter Guice.

CARL STEPHAN: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



Another performer that I have no biographical information on, Carl Stephan.

NEW YORK DOWNTOWN CLOWN PLAYGROUND: March Workshops

New York Downtown Clown offers 2 workshops in March!

#1- March 3rd Clown Playground- Classic Clown Acts Video Presentation

The video presentation will be one hour and 30 minutes of classic
circus clowning from around the world, culled from hundreds of hours
of film and video that Pat Cashin has collected over the last 25
years.

The March video presentation features:
Tom & Tammy Parrish, Lou Jacobs, The Rastellis, Walter Galletti, Otto
Griebling, The Pickle Family Circus clowns (Bill Irwin, Geoff Hoyle &
Larry Pisoni) , Barry Lubin, Jeff Gordon, George Carl and Charlie
Rivel.

WHEN: Monday, 3/3/2008, 9-10:30pm
WHERE:440 Studios, 440 Lafayette St. (btwn Astor Place and 4th St. and
across the street from The Public Theater.) Studio 4E, on the 4th Fl.
FEE: $10

Space is limited for the playground, so reserve your space by emailing them at play@newyorkdowntownclown.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#2- Slapstick Dojo Starting March 5th!

As seen in BACKSTAGE Summer Training Spotlight!

The focus of this class is instruction and development of comedy
trips, falls, slaps, kicks and comic uses of props. This is an ongoing
class with rolling open admission. The class operates similar to a
yoga or martial arts class, where students of all skill levels are
encouraged to come to "work out" and further develop technique. Each
class will include instruction in specific skills and exercises that
will teach students the methods and moves of slapstick greats from
silent films, circuses, and contemporary physical comedy.

To sign up email them at info@...

Class taught by Joel Jeske and Christopher Lueck.

WHEN: Every Wednesday of the year from 6-7pm, Starting March 5th,2008.
WHERE: West Side Dance Project - 260 W 36 Street, 3rd Floor.
FEE:$15 per class or $50 for a month pass.


For more information on these classes visit www.newyorkdowntownclown.com/workshops

CHESTER SHERMAN: Undated Photo

An udated photo that looks to be Chester Sherman minus his longtime partner Joe, performing a verbal gag into the mic on an outdoor dates.

BILL HANLON: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater





More of Janette Rainwater's portraits of the 1954 Ringling Alley, these of William "Bill" Hanlon.

Bill, and his brother Fred Hanlon were descended from the famous Hanlon-Lee family of comedy acrobats.

From Wikipedia...

A group of pre-Vaudevillian acrobats founded in the early 1840s, the Hanlon-Lees were world-renowned practitioners of "entortillation" (an invented word based upon the French term entortillage, which translates to "twisting" or "coiling") – that is, tumbling, juggling, and an early form of "knockabout" comedy (later popularized by such groups as the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges). The troupe consisted of the six Hanlon brothers and their mentor, established acrobat Professor John Lees.

Originally billed as "The Hanlons," the group debuted in 1846 at London's Theatre Royal Adelphi. At this time, the company consisted of George, William, and Alfred Hanlon, who were essentially wards of John Lees until his death in 1855. After his demise, the Hanlons returned to England and enlisted their younger brothers – Thomas, Edward, and Frederick – and rechristened themselves "The Hanlon-Lees" in honor of their fallen friend and instructor.

The newly expanded troupe made its American debut in 1858 at Niblo's Garden in New York City, and spent the next four decades touring the United States and Europe. As their skills improved, their performances became more elaborate. When Jules Léotard introduced the trapeze in 1859, for instance, the Hanlon-Lees quickly adapted to the new device; their next production, Le Voyage en Suisse (A Trip to Switzerland) contained an aerial juggling sequence that stunned Emile Zola, who expressed utter astonishment at the vast number of airborne objects.

The Hanlon-Lees also patented several inventions, including the aerial safety net and a wooden brace used in the construction of scenery (which is to this day referred to as a "hanlon").

Despite the death of Thomas in 1868, the group continued to perform regularly until the early 1900s, at which point George Hanlon's sons Will and Fred assumed control of the company's repertoire. They would carry the company successfully into the 20th Century, going so far as to appear on film for Thomas Edison in a production entitled Fantasma. The Hanlons would endure for another four decades, adapting their acts for vaudeville and finally appearing in the Clown Alley of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

In 1979, six American performers sought out the final living descendant of the original Hanlon brothers and asked for her blessing upon their new company, dubbed the Hanlon-Lees Action Theater. This modern incarnation of the original troupe is best known for pioneering and refining a theatrical form of medieval jousting, an event which the company continues to perform at Renaissance festivals in the United States. The modern Hanlon-Lees also performs Western-themed shows such as fantasy rodeos and cowboy exhibitions.

POODLES HANNEFORD: Fare Enough, 1928

Comments and link courtesy of Aaron Neathery's THE THIRD BANANA



Kit Parker Film's Weiss-O-Rama has to be about the most Third Banana-y DVD set I've ever purchased; a collection of late-era silent comedy shorts from the low-budget Weiss Brothers' studio starring Ben Turpin (his last series), Snub Pollard (likewise), Jimmy Aubrey, Bud Duncan, circus clown Poodles Hanneford, and others. Three of the Hairbreadth Harry shorts are also included, letter-perfect adaptations of C. W. Kahles' wonderful comic strip, although, sadly, little is made on the DVD of the series' funny page origins.

Of particular interest to me are Poodles Hanneford's comedies. Poodles was primarily famous for his uncanny equestrian act and holds a Guinness record to this day for for performing a running leap onto a galloping horse, and then stepping off, twenty-six times in quick succession.

Each of the DVD's three Hanneford shorts include at least a few of Poodles' circus routines, most notably Circus Daze (1928) which features much of his equestrian act, albeit modestly (and unnecessarily) tricked-up. The severely disjointed Fare Enough (1928) stars Poodles in a much more traditional vein as an inventive Keatonesque underdog (and is that an uncredited Arthur Housman as one of the drunks?). While not possessing any great depth of character as a film comic, he's certainly engaging and, frankly, a more impressive and promising all-round talent than more famous names like Ben Turpin and Snub Pollard!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUCKLES!

A very happy 29th birthday to the man who led the American circus into the "age of blogging" and continues at it's forefront, Mr. Buckles Woodcock.

THE BIG NEWS!

The Kelly-Miller Circus' 2008 season will begin on March 15th in Hugo, OK and the clown from opening day through April Fool's Day, April 1st will be... me!

Here's some scoop about the all-new 2008 edition of the show from David Hammarstrom's blog SHOWBIZDAVID...

A touch of Ringling magic has moved to a town called Hugo. Today, if lucky, you might spot John Ringling North II gearing up his staff for the second Kelly-Miller season operated by a real Ringling ... And from an anonymous source comes a prediction that what’s about to depart Hugo would delight the late Cliff Vargas: “All the pieces are there” is a promise that makes me wish I owned my own private jet, so I could swoop down and take in the grand opening on March 15 ... Jim Royal, by the way, who does the Concello thing for North II, before that served a number of seasons as production unit manager for Big Apple. Among the editions he supervised was Picturesque, a show I found quite wonderful (at least 3-1/2 stars wonderful). Jim reflects on the modern era: “It always seemed to me that the themes of the show never overwhelmed the performance. BAC never got too ‘high brow.’ Picturesque had many artistic references that some of our audience members appreciated. For those who didn’t catch them, that didn’t intrude on their enjoyment of the show.” Royal gave the climactic teeterboard Kovgars, who flew fast and last on the bill, the Royal attention they well deserved, heading for the main tent “damn near every show just to catch their act.” Great taste, Jim ...

The show, being owned by John Ringling North II, makes me the first American circus clown to work for an actual member of the Ringling family in 40 years!

There have also been discussion of me joining the show for some East Coast dates and doing some advance this summer but those are still in the works. So if you are in the Hugo, OK or Dallas/Forth Worth area be sure to come on out and say "hi" and, if you lower your expectations, you might just enjoy some of the classic-style hokey corn that I'll be selling.

Proud to be a real "Ringling Clown",
Pat Cashin

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT!!!

News flash!!!

Dateline: Hugo, OK...

Ladies and gentlemen, clownalley.net will be making a big announcement concerning the clowning on this season's Kelly-Miller Circus at 8:00 PM this evening!

Be sure to check back then!

CHARLIE BELL: Janette Rainwater Series

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



Charlie Bell and a canine companion (Trixie? Peanut?) from the series of photos by Janette Rainwater.

OWEN MCQUADE: Janette Rainwater Seies

Photos courtesy of Michael Rainwater



More from the Janette Rainwater series, these were marked as "Duffy" and look to be Owen McQuade.

THE STUPIDS

The charivari (comedy vaulting) act that strongly influenced all others to come, The Stupids.

PAUL JUNG: More

Photo courtesy of Michael Rainwater, article scans courtesy of Bill Strong.


Paul Jung, Nov. 27, 1954 at the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL by Dr. Janette Rainwater.

This is one of a series of color photos of Ringling clowns both in and out of makeup that was shot on spec., hoping that they could be sold to Ford Times or Friends (the Chevrolet give-away magazine), but they never found a buyer. The photos have been unseen since.


There were a few folks who had asked for a better scan of one of the articles from the other day, there were also some folks who asked why I was posting this unpleasant information at all.

I prefer to remember Paul Jung for the extremely gifted circus clown that he was, not for the sordid details of his passing, but think that this information (as disturbing and awful as it is) is a part of Jung's story and should be told.






The Hotel Forrest, friendly to musicians, actors and other performers, as it appeared in 1946.

BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS: Doodles the Clown; SING AS WE GO, 1934

A brief glimpse of Doodles the Clown (a.k.a. William Lauder McAllister) who appeared at the Blackpool Tower Circus 1915-1944, as well as Hengler's and Zalva's, Kelvin Hall Circuses & Bostock's Zoo.

This is taken from the 1934 film Sing As We Go.

For more on Doodles please click here.

SUNDAY MORNING ART GALLERY: Paul Jung

Artist: BarbBarcikKeith

Age: 61

City: Maple Heights

Country: United States

12×18 grey matboard, original sold.

Completed 1996