PAUL JEROME: Whiteface

SLIVERS OAKLEY: On the same vaudeville bill as W.C. Fields (Keith Theatre Providence, RI November 22, 1909)

Photo courtesy of Gene Wolande

BANZO'S SWORD: A Zen Koan

Matajuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, believing that his son's work was too mediocre to anticipate mastership, disowned him.

So Matajuro went to Mount Futara and there found the famous swordsman Banzo. But Banzo confirmed the father's judgment. "You wish to learn swordsmanship under my guidance?" asked Banzo. "You cannot fulfill the requirements."

"But if I work hard, how many years will it take me to become a master?" persisted the youth.
"The rest of your life," replied Banzo.

"I cannot wait that long," explained Matajuro. "I am willing to pass through any hardship if only you will teach me. If I become your devoted servant, how long might it be?"

"Oh, maybe ten years," Banzo relented.

"My father is getting old, and soon I must take care of him," continued Matajuro. "If I work far more intensively, how long would it take me?"

"Oh, maybe thirty years," said Banzo.

"Why is that?" asked Matajuro. "First you say ten and now thirty years. I will undergo any hardship to master this art in the shortest time!"

"Well," said Banzo, "in that case you will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly."

"Very well," declared the youth, understanding at last that he was being rebuked for impatience, "I agree."

Matajuro was told never to speak of fencing and never to touch a sword. He cooked for his master, washed the dishes, made his bed, cleaned the yard, cared for the garden, all without a word of swordsmanship.

Three years passed. Still Matajuro labored on. Thinking of his future, he was sad. He had not even begun to learn the art to which he had devoted his life.

But one day Banzo crept up behind him and gave him a terrific blow with a wooden sword.

The following day, when Matajuro was cooking rice, Banzo again sprang upon him unexpectedly.
After that, day and night, Matajuro had to defend himself from unexpected thrusts. Not a moment passed in any day that he did not have to think of the taste of Banzo's sword.

He learned so rapidly he brought smiles to the face of his master. Matajuro became the greatest swordsman in the land.

MYSTERY CLOWNS

DIAMANDI & ERMACHENKO

MICHEL COURTEMANCHE: Golf

WHY COMEDY MATTERS

PAUL WENZEL: Stands With Ahmed

PAUL JUNG: To Tell the Truth (Jan 22, 1957)

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: Madison Square Garden (1966)

GRANGER'S PUPPETS: Heather and Martin Granger

CHUCK JONES: The Evolution of an Artist

TWO HUGE INFLUENCES: Harry Dann & Lou Jacobs

JOE "KOKO" COYLE: Chicago (1956)

ADY ZEHNPFENNIG (1984)

Link courtesy of Beth Grimes

BUSTER ODLE

CLOWN ALLEY: Polack Bros. Circus (mid 1950s)

Lou Jacobs, Harry Dann, Charley Cheer and Rudy Docky in and out of makeup

LARGELY UNIDENTIFIED CLOWN ALLEY

The two on top are Roy Barrett and Joe "Koko" Coyle.

JOHN TOY

GAYLORD MAYNARD AND CHIEF BEARPAW

THE CLOWNS AND THE HATS

PAUL JEROME: Obituary in the White Tops (November/December 1960)

"The small procession left the administration office of Arlington National Cemetery at 1 PM November 21, 1960. It wound through the beatutiful landscape of our burying grounds of our nation's defenders. Past the Tomb of the Unknowns on its way to its final destination.

Grave 4675 Section 12 were the cold numbers describing the final resting place of Paul Jerome James, clown for years with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The procession was met by a Navy chaplain at the gravesite, while on a nearby knoll the ceremonial Firing Squad stood at rigid attention. Services were conducted after which the traditional three volley salute and the playing of Taps by a lone bugler were heard. Then the mortal remains of Paul Jerome were lowered into their final resting place.

Present at services were only three persons, members of the Circus Fans Association. The only flowers, a wreath of circus roses from lifelong friend Emmett Kelly. A rather sad ending for a clown applauded by millions and known to many for his wide white collar and flashing red nose. "

KIRK MARSH: Circus Sarasota (July 11, 2015)

"There is a moment in each person’s life that most of us don’t remember, but parents dread; the moment when magic ceases to exist for a child. For years children live in a blissful ignorance believing that Daddy can fix anything broken, Mommy can kiss away any injury and, when all else fails, there is always that wish they’ve been saving since blowing out last years birthday candle.

Eventually that changes. Four-leaf clovers become weeds and shooting stars become meteorites. Eventually, “Prince Charming” becomes the reason daddy insisted she carry pepper-spray.

Eventually . . . but until then, we delight in letting them enjoy the magic.

“Eventually” came on a Saturday for my 5-year old daughter, Alexis. To be precise, it was Saturday, July 11th 2015, at 5:45 pm EST when she faced the death of her magic.

To call Kirk Marsh a “clown” is like calling Michael Jordan a basketball player. It’s accurate, but begs for an asterisk. He is an amazing performance artist that gives the greats like Charlie Chaplin and Harpo Marx a run for their money. We saw him at the historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling complex in Sarasota, Florida.

Kirk Marsh entertained the audience that evening uncanny with antics and performances between the various acrobats and jugglers. His official performance however was saved for the finale.

Alexis was so excited, I could barely restrain her loud belly-laugh or keep her from yelling out comments: “It’s behind you, silly”. Occasionally he would scan the crowd and bring someone on stage as part of the act. When he started scanning the crowd, Alexis became so excited she thrust her hand in the air determined to become a part of this incredible show.

I’ve never seen her so serious. She was not waving her hand and carrying on, but instead, was careful and strategic. She thrust her hand up as soon as he started looking, sat straight up in her chair and remained perfectly still and quiet. She was giving him no excuse to overlook her.

There was a curious confidence about her. She was certain she would be picked because she wanted it more than anyone else and, as we all know, magic rewards pure desire.

Part of Kirk’s act was throwing his hat into the crowd. When they threw it back he would catch it on his head. Surprisingly, he threw it directly to me. Alexis exploded with excitement and she told me she wanted to throw it back.

However, we were too far from the stage and it would be impossible for her to ever throw it back that far. The audience waited for me to do something with the hat. Not wanting to delay the show further, I threw the hat toward stage and hoped she would forgive me. I missed. (Like I said, it was far). Kirk threw the hat back for a second try.

I tried to avoid looking at Alexis but I felt her little hand on my leg and I heard her soft whimper, “Please, Daddy. I want to throw it”. I silently cursed that damn clown for putting me in such a position. I looked at Alexis as my mind raced to find a solution, “I’m sorry, sweetie. It’s too far.”

“Daddy, please . . .” I threw it and Kirk maneuvered so it landed on his head. I was relieved that the ordeal was finally over.

As I turned to Alexis, the look on my daughter’s face was almost more than I could handle. It was a combination of disbelief and disappointment like I had just cooked the Easter Bunny. “But, Daddy, I wanted to throw the hat.”

At that moment, every father’s nightmare became my reality. I saw my little daughter mature in front of my eyes as she fought back the tears like someone twice her age, that I had most assuredly caused. I could see the magic leave her eyes as she realized her dream would not come true. It didn’t matter how many prayers she offered or how many birthday wishes she made . . . I saw a single tear roll down her cheek as she turned away from me.

Kirk Marsh was working his way around the crowd now, obviously looking for another volunteer. Alexis looked at him, but then looked away. She sat back down in her chair and, for the first time all night, did NOT raise her hand.

I was devastated. What did I do? Had I been responsible for killing the magic? What could I have done differently? What could I do to repair this and return the magic?

The only thing I could think to do was embarrassingly childish. I closed my eyes and made a silent wish: “Please mend my daughter’s broken heart”.

I opened my eyes to see Kirk looking directly at Alexis. The devastated look on my daughter’s face told the whole story to whoever was kind enough to notice. Kirk had noticed and he leaped forward, reaching his hand out to my daughter.

At first she stood frozen, not quite believing what was happening to her. She had been chosen! Within seconds the shock dissipated and she was again able to move. At that moment Alexis flashed a smile I will not soon forget and reached out to take his hand.

On stage she was a natural. Together they brought down the house and, for a brief moment, Alexis Marie Bowser was the star of the show. She was performing with her favorite Clown and creating a memory she will never forget.

I am indescribably proud of my daughter. I too will carry that moment with me for the rest of my life. Also, I will never forget the kindness and perceptive instincts of one very special clown, Kirk Marsh. Beyond his talent as a performer his is undoubtedly one of the kindest human beings I have ever met.

He noticed my daughter and singled her out of the entire crowd. Kirk could see how much it meant for her to be up there. He took a risk, but his only concern seemed to be making one small girl smile instead of cry.

Soon after, when retelling the story, Alexis said, “He had to choose me”. I asked, “Why did he have to chose you?” and she replied very matter-of-factly, “Because I wanted it more than anything, Daddy”.

One day soon, Alexis will realize that pixie dust is just cheap glitter that is difficult to get off of your clothes. On Saturday, July 11th, 2015, Kirk Marsh pushed off that realization for at least one more day. He gave her a miracle and recharged the magic in her life for a little longer.

Kirk, wherever you are you have the undying gratitude of a father who also believes in magic again. Thank you!"

          - Michael Bowser

LOU JACOBS: Contortionist

ERNIE BURCH

ALBERT WHITE

JOJO LEWIS

PAUL JEROME

KENNETH WAITE

A GALLERY OF UNIDENTIFIED CLOWNS II

A GALLERY OF UNIDENTIFIED CLOWNS

LOU JACOBS: Hunting Gag (Backstage footage from the "BE A CLOWN" shoot at the Venice Arena)

Video courtesy of Ron and Joey Severini

The Sunday comics have Will Eisner, Garry Trudeau and Bill Waterson. Animation has Walt Disney, Max Fleischer and John Lasseter. Comic books have Jack Kirby and Bill Finger. Puppetry has Jim Henson and Frank Oz.

I'm always amazed how people are surprised to find that circus clowning has its own Babe Ruths, its own Duke Ellingtons.

As with painting, we have our own Rembrandts, Picassos, Duchamps and Rothkos that emerge in a field littered with a lot of Keane and Kincade knockoffs.

It's an art form that stretches back hundreds of years, didn't you think ANYONE ever got REALLY good at it?

Ronald McDonald is a corporate mascot.

The character no more represents what a clown is than Mickey represents what a mouse is.

JIMMY "HAPPY WILLIAMS: Baraboo Gem Award

Baraboo Mayor Mike Palm, Jimmy "Happy" Williams and ICHOF Director Greg DeSanto

These are Happy times in Baraboo.

Jimmy Williams, better known as Happy the Clown, is the latest winner of the Gem Award.

“His iconic image still brings a smile to generations of faces,” Mayor Mike Palm said in reading a proclamation in Williams’ honor during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Each month, Palm gives the Gem Award to someone who has helped the community prosper. This time, he donned a red clown nose before handing a plaque to Williams, who is wheelchair-bound due to ill health and was escorted to the meeting by fellow clown Greg DeSanto.

“His legacy in clowning and circuses continues to influence future generations of aspiring clowns, and it is fitting that the community he gave so much to recognizes his contributions,” said DeSanto, executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Museum in Baraboo.

Williams arrived in Baraboo in 1962 at the urging of then-Circus World Museum boss Chappie Fox. At Circus World, Williams developed his Happy the Clown character, who entertained audiences for 35 years.

Happy was an ambassador for the museum and the city, appearing in parades across the Midwest. He created a clown club that helped launch the careers of many clowns, including Jed Crouse of Baraboo.

“Happy’s generosity in sharing his wisdom as well as his props with me has set me up for opportunities to grow into the performer I am,” Crouse said.

Longtime Circus World clown and ICHOF inductee Jimmy Williams with current Circus World clown Neil Skoy at the Grand Opening of the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo, WI.

Crouse said Happy was well-known in the clowning community, and was a generous and detail-oriented teacher. Whenever Happy taught Crouse a trick, he’d insist upon it being demonstrated immediately to passersby. “Hap was always willing to share a trick, but wanted to make sure I always understood what he meant and could perform it correctly,” Crouse said.

Williams also served on the staff of a clown camp at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and routinely appeared at Wisconsin Dells attractions such as Storybook Gardens.

DeSanto noted Williams is one of three Hall of Fame inductees from Wisconsin, and Happy the Clown’s display is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. “He has entertained generations of Baraboo citizens and thousands of guests in our community,” DeSanto said.

HIP RAYMOND

Photo courtesy of Beth Grimes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAN "ELMO GIBB" CHAMBERS!

THE AUSTINS: Car Wash at Belle Vue (1960s)

Photo by Peter Slade

BOXING GAG: Chesty Mortimer & Billy Denaro (1930)

This photo turns up every now and again but I've finally identified the whiteface as Billy Denaro, born Wilhelm Bohm (or Vohm) in Prague in 1895. He spent 16 years in the Ringling clown alley starting in 1924.

He passed away in an automobile accident near Monroe, NY while serving in the Merchant Marine following World War II in the summer of 1946.

HOW DID CLOWNS BECOME CREEPY?

PROF. PAUL WENZEL: Sparks Circus (1927)

WITH BELLO NOCK: Melha Shrine Circus (April 25, 2015)

Pat Cashin and Bello Nock backstage at the Melha Shrine Circus in Springfield, MA
(Photo courtesy of Bello Nock)

CHESTY MORTIER (1941)

Chester Mortier, Clown, 1941
Photo © Sverre O. Braathen, Illinois State Univerity

FUNNY GEORGE: Duffy's Circus (1911)

PAUL JUNG and RED NOSE DAY

 

Today marks the 50th anniversary of learning of Paul Jung's death at New York's Forrest Hotel at 224 W. 49th St, just around the corner from Madison Square Garden.

Jung, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' chief Producing Clown for 22 years, was murdered by two heroin addicts for $40. and his typewriter.

They were arrested pawning the typewriter.

But, as if the Comic Universe was attempting to right this terrible wrong, one month from today is Red Nose USA Day! Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to raising money for children and young people living in poverty by simply having fun and making people laugh. A 30 year institution in the UK, the inaugural Red Nose Day will be held in the US today. People across the country will come together to have fun and raise funds and awareness. The day's events will culminate in a three-hour entertainment TV special on NBC featuring the country's favorite comedians, musicians and Hollywood stars.

So get ready to make someone laugh, watch the show May 21st and BE SURE TO MENTION that you are donating in honor of Paul Jung's memory!

Visit https://www.rednoseday.org/about for more info on Red Nose Day USA!

THE FRANCESCOS: The Haunted House (1968)

Courtesy of Lionel Lutringer

FATTINI: La Piste aux Etoiles

FATTINI ET SON REVERBERE A LA PISTE AUX ETOILES MIS EN LIGNE PAR VOTRE SERVITEUR LIONEL LUTRINGER
Posted by Lionel Lutringer on Sunday, April 19, 2015

GEORGE CARL: Am laufenden Band (1974)

DONOVAN & BYL: Tumbling Tomfoolery (1945)

JACK STANFORD: Eccentric Dance (1935)

Link courtesy of Betsy Batos and Michael Karp

LOU JACOBS

THIS is EXACTLY what a circus, and a circus clown, look like.

FRANKIE SALUTO: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

1973 

1968

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: When Sir Paul Met Prince Paul (1974)