PAUL JEROME: El Mariachi

Just when I was starting to feel a little hinky about playing a mariachi in the 2008 Kelly-Miller aerial production number, along comes this 1930s era photo of Paul Jerome in big shoes, plaid pants and sombrero.

It's still a little odd, but at least now I can claim that there is an historical circus precedent ; )

LINON: Hugo Public Library

And he shall be Linon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Linon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Linon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Linon

This is the first of several pictures over the next few days that I found in some European circus books that I came across in the Hugo Public Library in Hugo, OK.

TONIO

"It's a Mr. Larible on line 2 for you..."

KELLY-MILLER: Royse City, TX

John Ringling North II's Kelly-Miller Circus, America's One Ring Wonder has arrived in the greater Dallas/Ft Worth area and appears tonight for two performances in Royse City, TX.

Showtimes at 4:30 and 7:30 PM.

Bring your umbrellas and boots, it looks like it's going to be another wet one.

The show may have been blessed in Winter Quarters on March 14th but the 2008 season was baptised by a thunderstorm last night that hit just after the start of the 7:30 show.

While many were complaining about the rivers forming behind the back door, Casey Cainan lept to his feet and literally danced with maniacal glee.

"Now THIS is circus!"

PAUL JEROME: RBB&B Circa late 1920s

Paul Jerome (in whiteface makeup) in a photo that was used over and over in Ringling publicity of the 20s, 30s and even into the 1950s.

ART ADAIR: Hagenbeck-Wallace 1907

Art Adair featured in a 1907 newspaper ad for the Hagenbeck-Wallace show in Detroit, MI.



Taken from a Detroit area newspaper article for the same 1907 H-W engagement: The caption claims that it's a photo of Art Adair surrounded by four other clowns. Actually it's a photo of George Lafayette Fox surrounded by four shots of Mr. Adair.

JADER

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

While the rest of you are off drinking Guinness, listening to The Pogues and whipping what's left of your shamrock shake at the head of a bagpiper, some of us will be working.

Spending St. Patrick's Day in Honey Grove, TX looks to be about half as exciting as spending the Fourth of July in Canada.

KELLY-MILLER: Honey Grove, TX

America's One Ring Wonder keeps rolling today with two shows at the Honey Grove South Elementary School Grounds presented by the Honey Grove Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the local P.T.O.

Two shows today at 4:30 and 7:30 PM


First 10 patrons in appropriate, circus-style, Stetson hats will receive a 25 pound bag of roasted circus peanuts courtesy of the Peterson Peanut Company of Cleveland, OH.

POODLES HANNEFORD: Hagenbeck-Wallace 1932

Poodles Hanneford's photo from the 1932 Hagenbeck-Wallace program.

JOE SHERMAN: Autographed Program Cover

A 1979 Shrine Circus program with the cover signed by pin-up boy Joe (Vani) Sherman.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LARRY CLARK!

Happy birthday wishes go out today to Larry Clark who was forced to wear this outfit in spec. on Ringling's 129th edition.

Really, what kind of a maroon would be caught wearing an outfit like this?

KELLY-MILLER: Idabel, OK

America's One-Ring Wonder, the Kelly-Miller Circus continues it's 2008 tour today with two shows in nearby Idabel, OK.

Showtimes at 2:00 and 4:30 PM.

Free cookhouse Tootsie Rolls to the first 10 patrons on the lot who can correctly identify the make of Wade Burck's hat ; )

SUNDAY MORNING ART GALLERY: Otto Griebling

Artist: BarbBarcikKeith

12×18 Colored pencil.

Complete 1984

TOTO: 1930 Newsreel Footage

I was always under the impression that Armando "Toto" Novello was from Vienna, Austria but a New York Times obituary from December 16, 1938 that I recently found gives his country of origin as Switzerland.

He was born October 27, 1888 to George Novello, a circus horse trainer, and Amalie Shoenberg a lion tamer. He began performing early and was clowning in circuses by age 18.

He was seen by Charles Dillingham while in London in 1914 and brought to America to perform at the Hippodrome in New York. He had a successful career her in the States, performing on stage, in circus and briefly as the star of his own film series.

Toto created the midget clown car prop that was later perfected by Lou Jacobs.

Unlike his Hippodrome clowning contemporaries Frank "Slivers" Oakley and Marceline Orbes, Toto seemed to have been financially secure and owned a spacious 10-room home in Larchmont, NY. Just like Slivers and Marceline he died much too soon.

He passed away at the age of 50 following surgery for an intestinal condition at Union Hill Hospital in the Bronx.

If you'd like to see old newsreel footage of Toto (and his midget car) performing at a January 1, 1930 benefit circus for German police officers and their families please click the title of this post.

KELLY-MILLER: Opening Day!

John Ringling North II's "One Ring Wonder", The Kelly-Miller Circus opens today under the Big Top with two performances at 2:00 and 5:30PM in the beautiful Circus City of Hugo, OK deep in the heart of the Red River Valley.

Tomorrow we move to nearby Idabel, OK before two weeks in the Lone Star State.

CHARLIE FRYE: Ringling

Charlie Frye back when he was merely the best juggler in the Ringling Alley, from back when that used to mean something.

LOCKE LORRAINE: Undated Photo

Locke Lorraine with an unidentified woman in an undated photo from an unknown source.

HOUSCH-MA-HOUSCH: Magic Act

DAVID LARIBLE: Commercial

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH CHADDOCK!

Very happy 28th birthday wishes (Ruth won't be 29 until next year) go out today to longtime Ringling clown and Special Events Manager, Ms. Ruth Chaddock, a woman who knows that the most direct route to a redheaded 5 year old boy's heart is with an enormous bag of popcorn ; )

You now have a friend for life.

All throughout the show Shane was happily munching away, sharing with the kids around him and and telling everyone, "My friend Ruthie gived me this whole thing!!!"

Incidentally, Ms. Chaddock's birthday announcement is also clownalley.net's 1,500th post.

STEVE-O

Fellow Clown College class of '97 alumni Steve-O, star of MTV's Jackass and Wildboyz was reported in the media last night as being on 24-hour "suicide watch" in in the psych ward of an L.A. area hospital.

I spoke with him last night (isn't there better phone security in L.A. area hospital psych wards? I haven't spoken to Steve-O in 10 years! How the heck did I get through?) and he sounded absolutely fine.

He's just going through a rough patch after a break up and some folks close to him chose to err on the side of caution based some emails that he sent out over the weekend.

So, don't believe half of what you read today in the papers. Steve-O is fine and will be back to stapling his testicles to things again in no time ; )

DIAMOND JIM PARKER

Clown, fan, historian and Clown College staff member Diamond Jim Parker.

VERY & WELL: On Ice

Very and Well (Starikov & Kotov) in the ring and on ice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG MAY!

Happy belated birthday to CC grad, Ringling vet, former "Local Merchandising Executive for a Large International Fast Food Company", fellow China Clown and all-around good guy, Mr. Greg May.

To learn more about Greg please click here.

JOANNE GRIEBLING SIMONS

I had the pleasure of speaking with Otto Griebling's daughter Joanne (the picture to the right is Otto with Joanne's older sister, Elsie) last night, an extremely nice woman who kindly tolerated my many questions. I hope that her computer gets repaired soon so that I may post some of her rememberances in her own words.

She has some wonderful stories to share and it was clear from our conversation that she loved her father very, very much.

CESAR DIAS

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.