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Wednesday, July 02, 2008
IN MEMORIUM: Bobby Hakes
Photo courtesy of Bill Strong
Bobby Hakes, the man who supplied clownalley.net with a steady stream of classic circus videos, passed away peacefully last Saturday night.
From Bill Strong's YESTERDAY'S TOWNS
Bobby was a retired concession manager, who worked his way up from "candy butcher" to owning his own business.
A little known fact is that he was also a member of Bill Atterbury's "Sky Kings", Sway Pole Act.
Bobby was another of those unique personalities who made our life a "Circus", he will be missed.
He most certainly will.
I was surprised yesterday morning to receive a phone call from Bobby's loving wife of 40 years, Phips (of the Sloan/Yelding family) who thanked me for being a loyal customer over the years and assured me that my most recent order would be on it's way shortly.
I was flabbergasted.
I will never cease to be awed and impressed with the work ethic of real "old circus" type people.
Bobby Hakes, the man who supplied clownalley.net with a steady stream of classic circus videos, passed away peacefully last Saturday night.
From Bill Strong's YESTERDAY'S TOWNS
Bobby was a retired concession manager, who worked his way up from "candy butcher" to owning his own business.
A little known fact is that he was also a member of Bill Atterbury's "Sky Kings", Sway Pole Act.
Bobby was another of those unique personalities who made our life a "Circus", he will be missed.
He most certainly will.
I was surprised yesterday morning to receive a phone call from Bobby's loving wife of 40 years, Phips (of the Sloan/Yelding family) who thanked me for being a loyal customer over the years and assured me that my most recent order would be on it's way shortly.
I was flabbergasted.
I will never cease to be awed and impressed with the work ethic of real "old circus" type people.
BILLY VAUGHN: With Mike Snyder, Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus
Photos courtesy of Billy Vaughn
Billy Vaughn and Mike Snyder: two clowns, looking exactly like what clowns are supposed to look like, doing precisely what it is that clowns are supposed to do on an indoor Vidbel date.
Billy Vaughn and Mike Snyder: two clowns, looking exactly like what clowns are supposed to look like, doing precisely what it is that clowns are supposed to do on an indoor Vidbel date.
BUSINESS CARDS: 1920s
A very dapper and dashing young Glen "Kinko" Sunberry
Would someone like to explain to me just how it is that Herman Joseph and Paul Jerome are a team of "solo comics"?
CLOWN ALLEY: Swalley & Warde, 1926
Lawrence Swalley and Bobbie Warde doing the Camera Gag on the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1926.
ALF LANDON: Undated
Producing clown and leader of the Alfredo Landon Troupe of "small statured circus comedians", Mr. Alf Landon.
CLOWN ALLEY: The Big Apple Circus, 2007
Video courtesy of Joel Jeske
"The Big Apple Water Gag" written by Barry Lubin and Jeff Gordon, performed over the years By Grandma, Gordoon, Francesco and done here with Joel Jeske.
For most of the "Step Right Up!" tour the gag was performed by Grandma, Francesco and Jeske as a trio.
THIS is the type of classic clowning that is all too rare in contemporary American circus. Just listen to the kids in that audience!!!
"The Big Apple Water Gag" written by Barry Lubin and Jeff Gordon, performed over the years By Grandma, Gordoon, Francesco and done here with Joel Jeske.
For most of the "Step Right Up!" tour the gag was performed by Grandma, Francesco and Jeske as a trio.
THIS is the type of classic clowning that is all too rare in contemporary American circus. Just listen to the kids in that audience!!!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
OTTO GRIEBLING: Whiteface
There are several Ringling photos of folks like Felix Adler and Lou Jacobs in alternate makeups but this Harry Atwell photo purports to be none other than Otto Griebling in n alternate whiteface publicity shot from the Cole Bros. Circus in the early 1930s.
CLOWN ALLEY: Cole Bros. Circus, 1950
Photo courtesy of Bill Strong
At the bottom center is Albert "Flo" White, to his immediate right is Danny McPride and on the bottom right is Horace Laird. Other than that I'm not sure off the top of my head.
At the bottom center is Albert "Flo" White, to his immediate right is Danny McPride and on the bottom right is Horace Laird. Other than that I'm not sure off the top of my head.
FUMAGALLI: Big Apple Circus, 2008
Fumagalli and Daris performing "come-in" with the current edition of the Big Apple Circus.
Monday, June 30, 2008
BILLY VAUGHN: With Mike Snyder, Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus
Billy and Mike performing Buckles Woodcock's very favorite classic clown gag, The Atomic Hair Grower.
EMMETT KELLY: undated
Emmett doing what Emmett does at an unknown indoor date in what looks to be the late 30s/early 40s.
FRANCESCO: Big Apple Circus, 2006
Francesco and Joel Jeske performing the Flutes entree at the Big Apple Circus in 2006.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling, circa 1940s
From left to right: Felix Adler, Lulu Cranston and Paul Jerome and a "bevy of beauties" including Ms. Lola Dobritch.
CHARLIE FRYE: Eccentricks 1, 2 & 3
Clips have been posted (with Mr. Frye's blessings) from Charlie Frye's extraordinary Eccentricks series of instructional DVDs.
Each one is like a Master Class with Charlie teaching physical & visual comedy, juggling, magic and other miscellaneous manipulations machinated to amuse and amaze.
The DVDs can (and should) be ordered directly from Charlie himself at his website here.
Each one is like a Master Class with Charlie teaching physical & visual comedy, juggling, magic and other miscellaneous manipulations machinated to amuse and amaze.
The DVDs can (and should) be ordered directly from Charlie himself at his website here.
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