Saturday, May 17, 2008
GEORGE CARL: Danish Television, 1975
Link suggest by Mark Evanier
Maybe my favorite video of the brilliant Mr. Carl yet to surface on YouTube.
To visit Mr. Evanier's blog News From Me, please click here.
Maybe my favorite video of the brilliant Mr. Carl yet to surface on YouTube.
To visit Mr. Evanier's blog News From Me, please click here.
Friday, May 16, 2008
IN MEMORIUM: Carlo Colombaioni, 74
Photo and comments courtesy of Raffaele de Ritis
I'm sad to announce that the great Carlo "Charlie" Colombaioni, age 74, passed away yesterday.
Without make-up nor costumes, speaking only in Italian in the five continents and amusing the world.
Carlo, with is brother-in-law Alberto Vitali, left the circus in the late 60s beginning the "revolution" of new clowning in the theatre. They were the first duo to introduce clowning in theatre. Carlo was the major inspiration to both Dario Fo and Fellini for the reflections about clown of this two great masters. He was the major consultant for "The Clowns" movie, and behind all the Dario Fo plays involving clowning.
He was part of a large clown dynasty: about his nephews are also David Larible and Fumagalli.
He also was one of the first ever to involve audience participation in clown entrées.
I'm sad to announce that the great Carlo "Charlie" Colombaioni, age 74, passed away yesterday.
Without make-up nor costumes, speaking only in Italian in the five continents and amusing the world.
Carlo, with is brother-in-law Alberto Vitali, left the circus in the late 60s beginning the "revolution" of new clowning in the theatre. They were the first duo to introduce clowning in theatre. Carlo was the major inspiration to both Dario Fo and Fellini for the reflections about clown of this two great masters. He was the major consultant for "The Clowns" movie, and behind all the Dario Fo plays involving clowning.
He was part of a large clown dynasty: about his nephews are also David Larible and Fumagalli.
He also was one of the first ever to involve audience participation in clown entrées.
IN THE NEWS: Bryan Fulton
My pal Bryan Fulton made the local papers yesterday. To read the story please click the title of this post.
To find out more about Bryan's entertainment company, ALL STAR TALENT (where I am still not listed under "clowns" because Bryan is too lazy to add my photo) please click here.
WADE BURCK REMEMBERS: David Kiser
Photo courtesy of Wade Burck
Wade's sons Eric and Adam with David Kiser on the Blue Unit of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Wade's sons Eric and Adam with David Kiser on the Blue Unit of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
CLOWN ALLEY: Terrell Jacobs Circus, 1952
Photo and comments courtesy of Bill Strong
Here are Billie Burke, Gene Lewis, & another clown I'm not familiar with, actually I was never familiar with on the Terrell Jacobs Circus on the James E. Strates Show Carnival in 1952.
Here are Billie Burke, Gene Lewis, & another clown I'm not familiar with, actually I was never familiar with on the Terrell Jacobs Circus on the James E. Strates Show Carnival in 1952.
MUSTAFIN & ABDIVKEEV: Magic Act
Rapidly becoming my favorite Russian clowns of all time, here's more Mustafin and Abdivkeev.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
CLOWN ALLEY: With Ella Bradna, Ringling
Photo courtesy of Bill Strong
Four Ringling Bros. surrounding Ms. Ella Bradna, wife of longtime Ringling equestrian director Fred Bradna.
I can't positively ID any of the four but the one in the bottom left corner may be a very, very young Felix Adler.
Four Ringling Bros. surrounding Ms. Ella Bradna, wife of longtime Ringling equestrian director Fred Bradna.
I can't positively ID any of the four but the one in the bottom left corner may be a very, very young Felix Adler.
JIGALOV & ALEXEENKO
Link and comments courtesy of Raffaele de Ritis
This exceptional document is the first reprise ever of Andrei Jigalov in 1991. Here he is with his first partner, Eduard Alexeenko, who passed away too young.
They met at the Moscow creation studio for circus, forming their duo. Their first material was directed by the great Valentin Gneushev.
This is a gala in honour of Mr.Nikulin at the old Moscow circus. I first saw this duo right in those days at this very same circus, and immediately falling in love for them.
The following year Dominique Mauclair, upon suggestion of Mr.Nikulin, invited them in Paris at the Cirque de Demain festival, where they won.
This exceptional document is the first reprise ever of Andrei Jigalov in 1991. Here he is with his first partner, Eduard Alexeenko, who passed away too young.
They met at the Moscow creation studio for circus, forming their duo. Their first material was directed by the great Valentin Gneushev.
This is a gala in honour of Mr.Nikulin at the old Moscow circus. I first saw this duo right in those days at this very same circus, and immediately falling in love for them.
The following year Dominique Mauclair, upon suggestion of Mr.Nikulin, invited them in Paris at the Cirque de Demain festival, where they won.
CLOWN ALLEY: Another Step Closer!!!
Link suggested by Greg DeSanto
"CLOWN ALLEY (CBS, 10-11 p.m.). Red Skelton & Co. in a special tribute to the circus funnymen. With Jackie Coogan, Audrey Meadows, Robert Merrill, Vincent Price, Martha Raye, Cesar Romero, Amanda Blake and Bobby Rydell."
This Red Skelton television special aired only once (as far as I can tell) and no copies have ever surfaced in any part of the collector's market. Both Greg DeSanto and I have contacted the folks at Red's archives and have both been told that there is absolutely nothing in the vault labeled "Clown Alley", so unearthing this promo is certainly a major find!
For more information on the show from an earlier post, please click the title of this post.
And if anyone out there has a copy, PLEASE contact me!!!
"CLOWN ALLEY (CBS, 10-11 p.m.). Red Skelton & Co. in a special tribute to the circus funnymen. With Jackie Coogan, Audrey Meadows, Robert Merrill, Vincent Price, Martha Raye, Cesar Romero, Amanda Blake and Bobby Rydell."
This Red Skelton television special aired only once (as far as I can tell) and no copies have ever surfaced in any part of the collector's market. Both Greg DeSanto and I have contacted the folks at Red's archives and have both been told that there is absolutely nothing in the vault labeled "Clown Alley", so unearthing this promo is certainly a major find!
For more information on the show from an earlier post, please click the title of this post.
And if anyone out there has a copy, PLEASE contact me!!!
WADE BURCK REMEMBERS: Tammy Parrish
Photo courtesy of Wade Burck
The always beautiful Ms. Tammy Parrish with Wade's sons (and my friends) Eric and Adam Burck in what looks to be the old Ringling Winter Quarters at the arena in Venice, FL.
Eric is currently attending culinary school; Adam is performing his tiger act on the Hamid Shrine Circus.
The always beautiful Ms. Tammy Parrish with Wade's sons (and my friends) Eric and Adam Burck in what looks to be the old Ringling Winter Quarters at the arena in Venice, FL.
Eric is currently attending culinary school; Adam is performing his tiger act on the Hamid Shrine Circus.
THE ACME CORPORATION
A complete listing of every ACME brand product ever used in a Warner Bros. cartoon is available here.
CLOWN KOAN
"(Clown)... wants over and over again movement: it sees peace only in dynamism."
Paraphrased from a quote by Raul Hausmann
Paraphrased from a quote by Raul Hausmann
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
DARREN "BURL" BURRELL: Roncalli
Photo courtesy of AUCIRQUE
Darren Burrell, formerly of the Kelly-Miller Circus and Ringling, currently performing his bubble act on Roncalli.
Darren Burrell, formerly of the Kelly-Miller Circus and Ringling, currently performing his bubble act on Roncalli.
MYSTERY CLOWN: RBB&B @ MSG, 1956
Photo courtesy of Bill Strong
If I had to guess I'd say that this might be a young Duane "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe at the beginning of his career, before he developed his classic neat whiteface makeup that we all remember.
If I had to guess I'd say that this might be a young Duane "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe at the beginning of his career, before he developed his classic neat whiteface makeup that we all remember.
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