circus report, july 28, 1980, vol. 9, no. 30

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9th Year July 28, 1980 Number 30

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Page 1: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

9th Year July 28, 1980 Number 30

Page 2: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 2 July 28, 1980

Joseph C. ReisingerATTORNEY AT LAW

Entertainment Law - Civil Trials - Immigration

For Free Consultation or AppointmentCall: 415 -472-1050

(The following letter, dated July 1, 1980, wasreceived from R. L Crawford. Chief Staff Ve-terinarian, Animal Care Staff, Veterinary Ser-vices, USDA, Washington, DC).

I am writing you in regard to an article onPage 3, of the June 2,1980, Circus Reportwhich concerns one Otto Berosini.

The following statement appeared in the ar-ticle, "Berosini also reports that his lawyer catled the U. S. Department of Agriculture (US-DA) office in Washington, DC, in an attemptto work out his problems. He was informedthey were not interested since they wanted tophase out circus animal acts as soon as pos-sible."

This is to advise you that no such statementwas made by anyone in the USDA. In additionneither Mr. Berosini, his lawyer, nor anyoneelse, has contacted any USDA official in Wash-ington, DC, concerning his problems. The Ani-mal Welfare Act and its regulations establishminimum humane standards for the care andhousing of animals used for research, exhibi-tion, or sold st the wholesale level for pets.The Department is concerned only for thehealth, well-being and human care of theseanimals, as is aptly demonstrated by theUSDA's past and present policies.The Department is not trying to put anyone

out of business, or to phase out any circus ani-mal acts. Please advise your readers that thestatement indicated above is false and that noUSDA official in Washington, DC, has beencontacted regarding Mr. Berosini's problemsin California.

THE CIRCUS REPORT is published each weekby Don Marcks. 525 Oak St., El Cerrlto, Calif.94530-Phone: (415) 525-3332.SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $15.00 for the year.Overseas rate via surface mall is $20.00 a year.ADVERTISING RATES: (Per issue on a firstcome basis) Minimum Ad $5.00; Quarter Page$10.00; Half Page $2O 00; Full Page $35.00

ACTS • Are you listed with us ?

DWIGHT DAMONEntertainment Unlimited

Lane Manor, Box 685, Merrimack, NH 03054

603-424-3341

WEDDINGSKLARA VALLA BERTINI, of the Bertini uni-cycle act, and JOE GUTTENBERG were mar-ried on July 1st, at Heritage USA, NC. Circusband leader Leo Mascito was the best man, thebridesmaid was Klarisa Bertini and the bridewas given away by Henri Strazan. Rev. AustinMiles performed the ceremony. (All were withTinoWallenda Zoppe's Circus Maranatha).

JAN SMITH and CHUCK HUTINGER weremarried on June 14th and spent their honey-moon in Redtands, Calif., visiting with friendsin the Great All American Youth Circus. Thecouple met while playing with the Illinois StateUniversity Gamma Phi Circus and both perfor-med at Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara(Calif). They plan to continue their teachingcareers in the Peoria, 111. area.

DEBORAH ANN GLAZER and DOUGLASLYON were married on June 21st at Malibu,Calif. Doug has been a promotional directorfor both BeaUy-Cole and Circus Vargas. He isalso active in the promotion of illusionist DougHenning.

SUSIE RYAN and TONY MEDLEY were mar-ried on June 21st at Redlands, Calif. Thecouple are performers and trainers with theGreat All American Youth Circus. They metwhile performing in Marriott's Great AmericaCircus Fantastic at Santa Clara, Calif. Susie re-ceived her training at Peru, Ind.'s Circus CityFestival and is now spot-dating in the westwith a double trapeze act called 'The Shurays'.

License PlatesOfficial Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. CircusLicense Plates. Limited edition of 500.Bright colors embossed on sturdy metal.

- $ 6.00 post paid

B. F. B. A D V E R T I S I N GP. 0. Box 578 Winter Park, Fla. 32790

Page 3: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

NOW AVAILABLE

STIMAX CHIMPSPrimate pranksters perpetuate pantomimes of people

- For Information Contact -

GILBERT MILLER AGENCY

213 858-7196

HOWARD SCHULTZ AGENCY

312-769-2244

Page 4: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 4

Show DatesBeany-Cole CircusJuly 28-29 Marion, Ohio

30-31 PiquaAug. 1-3 Lima

Hubert Cattle CircusJuly 28 Great Bend, Kans

30 Wichita

Circus Arts TroupeJuly 30- Aug. 2 Jackson,

Miss

Fleckles CircusJuly 29-Aug. 3 Rockford,

III.

Hoxie Bros. CircusJuly 28 Northfield, Vt

29 Burlington30 Glens Falls, NY

31 Johnstown, Pa.Aug. 1 Auburn

2 Geneva3 Batavia

Make-A-CircusJuly 29 San Jose, Calif.

31 San FranciscoAug. 1 San Francisco

Rin^ing-Barnum - Blue Unitto July 29 Inglewood, CalifJuly 31-Aug 11 Anaheim

Ringling-Bamum - Red UnitJuly 29-Aug 3 Oalias, Texas

Roberts Bros. CircusJuly 29 Marietta, Pa.

30 Mahanoy City31 Stroudsburg

Royal Crown CircusJuly 29-31 Albuquerque,NMAug. 2-3 Santa Fe

Swan Bros. CircusJuly 31-Aug. 3 Placerville,

Calif.

TNT& Royal OlympicJuly 29-31 Maplewood, MinnAug. 1-3 Eau Claire, Wise

Wenatchee Youth CircusJuly 28-31 Wenatchee.Wash

• • - • M A G I C - • • •

Berger the MagicianJuly 19 Ashland, Ky.

23 Proctorville, Ohio

Maruini - Escape Artistto Sept 1 Lake George, NY

Prof. Miller's Magic Time USAJuly 28 Centerville, Iowa

29 Creston31 Atlantic

Aug. 1 Marian2 Jefferson

- - - - O T H E R DATES- - - -

Burr's Fun-0-RamaJuly 28-Aug. 2 Orleans,

Mass.

Oondi the ElephantAug. 2 Chicago, in.

Draft Horse ShowAug 1-3 Castro Valley,

Calif.

James H. Drew ExpositionJuly 27-Aug. 2 Valparaiso,

Ind.

Firemen's MusterAug. 3 Idaho Spmgi, Colo

Foley & Burk Showsto Aug. 2 San Mateo, Calif

Gund Western Collectionto Aug 20 San Fran, Calif

Gutis Family Comedy ActJuly 29-Aug 1 Isle Verte,

Quebec

Hall & Christ AttractionsAug 1-10 Ionia, Mich

Mighty Thomas ShowsJuly 22-Aug 2 Lethbridge,

Albta

Tom Ogdento Aug 24 Sheffield, Mass

July 28,1980

Old Time Medicine ShowJuly 28 Espanada, Ont.

29 Sudbury30 Gravenhurst

Aug. 2 Midland

Royal American ShowsJuly 31-Aug 10 Milwaukee

Wsc

The Sikonkys-JugglersAug 1 Reston, Md.

2 Gaithersburg

Frank Strout - western actJuly 31-Aug 3 Augusta. Me.

Tip Top Shows - Blue UnitJuly 30-Aug 3 Green Lake,

Wise.

Tip Top Shows • Green UnitJuly 30-Aug 3 Cedarburg,

Wise.

Carson & Barnes CircusJuly 27 Rugby, N.D.

28 Devils Lake29 Graftun30 Grand Fortes31 Thief River Falls,

Minn.Aug. 1 Bemidjj

2 Hibbing

NOTICE • • • -

Sister Josephine Calo wantsto find her brother, AngeloC. Giardino. Anyone know-ing his whereabouts or him,please con tact:Sister Josephine CatoHoly Family Covent60 Harrison StreetNutley, NJ -07110Phone: 201 -667-2050

Or 201-667-1847

Page 5: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

RECENTLY I saw a comedy act that was animitation of another comedy act I had seenearlier in the season. And, as usual, it was apoor quality imitation, as most such imitationsare. Those of us sitting together merely lookedat one another with expressions that read:"Looks familar does it not?"

It seems a shame that with all the strikes thecircus performer has against him (or her) heshould be dealt one of such criminal injusticeas a fellow performer trying to usurp his act.Unfortunately the U.S. Patent and Copyrightlaws being what they are, one's rigging or spe-cial props cannot be patented, and one's spe-cialized routines cannot be copyrighted. I havenever understood this. Copyright laws CAN bechanged. Very recently they were changed bywriters whose unpublished works were subjectto plagarism because one could not copyrightan unpublished play or book, story, article, orsong. Now a writer CAN. It means of coursethat the individual must secure a SECONDcopyright on the published work but at leastall those months, even years of hard creativework, are protected. I should think the U.S.Patent and Copyright Laws could also bechanged to protect the performer (any per-former, any sort of act) but first performersmust band together and LOBBY for thatchange.

The worst o fit is too many performers arelike ostriches. They think, if they stick theirheads in the sand, their problems will simplygo away. Alas, when they look up again theyfind that not only have their problems notdisappeared but also those problems havebeen augmented by new ones.The new Cl RCUS ODYSSEY, bowing next

month in Cape Cod, is a show to watch. Pro-ducer ED MIGLEY visited while I was appear-ing at the Brockton Fair and told me that 39Shrine committees are coming to see the newcircus, as well as many other VJP's from theshow world. Unquestionably Odyssey is themost beautiful American indoor circus I haveever seen. Ed is a young man with vision anddteermination. two qualities that are hard tobeat. There is a huge difference between 'flash'and 'class'. And the difference in Circus Ody-ssey and many of its competitors is just that.Odyssey has Class, upper-class at that.Migley will produce in Boston, next fall, a

circus for that city's famed JIMMY FUND, afive ring spectacular presented on a stage thesize of Radio City Musci Hall's. The engage-ment is to run, I believe, ten days, and I willtell you more about it after I have another in-depth talk with the producer in August.

RAMBLINGS: TOMMY HANNEFORD hashis small tent unit at the Purchase (NY) ArtsFestival for the rest of the summer. At the endof August he goes to the Allentown Fair andthen to the Springfield (Mass) fair for WAYNEMcCAREY, the second time around for thisassociation. Folliwng the Springfield date Han-neford makes his regular fall tour with his bigshow.. .HOXIE TUCKER, in a long, long con-fidential chat, told me that while they had arocky tour coming up through the south, thecircus did not lose money, at least through itspromotion. Lack of people on the lot severelyaffected the concession business. All in all,however, it has been one of the show's tough-est seasons, made so by the loss of their bigtop, breakdowns, and the terrible rise in un-employment across the country. Hoxie agreedthat 1980 was a counterpart of those early bad1930's. Didyaknowthat Hoxie was broken in-to the circus business by my uncle GEORGEBARTON? Well, it's true, and several witnes-ses to our conversation heard Hoxie admit thatto me. I'm sure many readers don't know thatI was bom on my family's circus, and thatover the years my family had many well-knowncircuses on the road including: Barton Bros.,Barton & Bailey, and, during the war, BondBros. So, you see, dear readers, I come to mycolumnizing with a lifetime of experience inthis business. I learned to lace a big top beforeI learned to lace my shoes, stood on the run-ning board of an old truck, hopped off andchalk-arrowed poles before I could write myown name. I started out in my family's ridingact at the age of six and at the age of sevenclimbed onto my cloud swing. Forty-six yearslater I am still astride it and have watchedother cloud swings come and go.

FRANK CURRY, that perennial globetrot-ter, is back in thp USA and I almost fanitedfrom shock when his voice emerged from mytelephone last night! My little spy JUNEDEWSBURY let it slip that he had visited hera few days earlier. So you see. you can't keep

{Continued on Page 24)

Page 6: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 6

Show ReportCIRCUS TIME IN SEATTLE AREA

by Mike Sporrer

For the third time in a row, Circus Vargas •America's Big Top Giant - played Seattle. WashFor the first time ever, Seattle had a back-to-back day and date. This resulted when CircusVargas played Tukwila, Wash., just south ofSeattle at the South Center Shopping Centerfor June 30-July 3. and then on to Seattle forJuly 4-7 for a date at the North Gate Shop-ping Center.At the same time the American ContinentalCircus was at the Seattle Center Coliseum fora July 4-6 date for the Seattle Officers Guild.In all the years I have done research on circusactivity there was never so much media cover-age as was here during the last week of June.The year began with the Shrine Circus, withHubert Castle in the Coliseum Mar. 21-23. Thenewspaper publicity began slowly at first forCircus Vargas, but on Sunday the campaignexploded in the major daitys with not justCircus Vargas, but American Continental andRinijling-Barnum offering $2.00 off for all tic-kets by mail until Aug. 1st. TV was filled withspot ads for both Vargas and Ringling and alllocal stores were well covered with windowcards. This year Vargas has new window cardsoffering half price coupons inside for the chil-dren. Each shopping center also displays lithosand photos and I have seen it each year and itis worth the time it takes to look at these fineold circus items. Too bad other shows don'tdo the same thing.This year's program is by far the best ever andmost of the show is new. They have new light-ing and special effects which add to the show.Prices range from $4.50 for general admissionto $7.00 for preferred seats on the front side,to $9.00 for box seats, t noticed most of thebox seats were sold. Business throughout therun was quite good. The opening night at theSouth Center (June 30) was almost a sell-out.Most shows had better than three-quarterhouses.Some folks were also planning to see Ringlingthus destroying the myth that if you've seenone circus you've seen them all.Business at the Police Circus was not all thatgood. Most tickets had been sold in advancenot knowning that Circus Vargas was comingalong too. For the average person it must have

July 28, 1980

been confusing, Lut on the other hand for thefan it was really quite a week.The overall physical layout is about the sameas in previous years. The show's two yeai oldbig top and marquee are in excellent .tapeand is in use at most dates. The first blue topis still earned on a flat bed along with match-ing poles in case of an emergency. At both ofthe above dates the four poler was used. Thenew fine poler has been used only a few times

The midway includes the concession semi, amoon bounce, pit show, Arden 5th wheel ticket trailer, pony sweep, and a display of theelephants, horses and other animals. There isalso the show's comfort station and a souven-ir stand. A second stand is just inside the bigtop.At present there are no printed programs butit is hoped one will be along soon. Because ofthis it was hard to cover the show in detail.The Jan. 21st issue of CR came in handy aswelt as last year's program. As of June 30ththe program was as follows: Color book saleand Elephant rides; Introduction of Ringmas-ter John Pon; National Anthem and Overture,directed by David Epperiy; Circus on Parade,with all performers and animals in parade;the Knops, double perch; Osmani Sisters,juggling; the Zunigas, juggling; Diablo Trio,juggling; Clowns at the Dentist; Jan's Samoy-ed Docp; Alysoon Seacat's Samoyed Dogs;Cristima, single trapeze (arrives on an elephant)the Franconi Duo, arrives in a chariot pulledby an elephant, Miss Najean, single trapeze(arriving on an elephant); Liberty Hones pre-sented by Mrs. and Henri Wagneur; Tina Ris-don, capriole horse; Display of Pegasus byHenri Wagneur; The Zultanas, high wire; theClowns and Magic; The Venturas; ArmnndDuo and Kneisleys, cradle acts; Million Dol-lar Carlos Twins; Intermission with color booksales and elephant rides; The Flying Espanas,The Flying Lar-Rays; Wayne Ragen, tigers andlions; Aerial Ballet (6 girls on web); Clownsand the Balloon Chase; Miss Alysoon, MissDariine and Miss Tina, dressage horses; MissKathy, equestrian acrobatics; Robert Hocumand Princess Irena, cloud swings; The Rolands,rola bola; The Anastasini Brothers, risley; Ju-lian and Monique, aerial motorcycle; Rex Wil-liams' elephants with long mount. (Specialthanks to Don Fairbanks).On the evening of July 5th, the Jack Bell CFATent of Seattle, was invited to the annual Kids

(Continued on Page 26)

Page 7: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Page?

HOXIE BROS. CIRCUS

BY GEORGE C. BINGMAN

The wind was sailing into the canvas of HoxieBros. Circus big top on Friday, June 20th, atNewcastle Square Malt in Wilmington, Dela.,when representatives of Robert Dover TentCFA No. 112 visited the lot. It apparentlywas a harbinger of the future inasmuch as Do-ver Tenters visiting later at Westminster, Md.,found a sidewall set-up after three in-near-succession blowdowns. The front office re-ported a back-up canvas was enroute fromFlorida within two days. The elements did notkeep the people away as the show had an op-ening whistle by 5:30 p.m. and moved brisklyto two enthusiastic and large houses.With Lee Maloney at the organ and MichaelDorval at drums the Circus Day Welcome pre-sented opening spec consisting of the entirecompany of performers and seven ponderouspachyderms. Ringmaster Bill Brickie whistleda fast moving show of talented acts featuringbeautiful girls, zany clowns, assorted skillsand well-trained lead stock.Isabel and Marie opened as a bicycle balancingduo. Sonya and Elizabeth - the Campa Sisters• delighted with their juggling.Aerial perch, presented by the Lisner Duo, de-lighted the audience with graceful, gymnasticgyrations. Then the Campa Sisters doubledthe thrills with each performing masterfullyon their own low wire.Mr. Fred and Co., Ramon and Tamara Espanapresented a unique baggage act, baffling andbizarre, one of the most unusual acts this re-viewer has seen in years.Bill Brickie's Poodle Fantasy was a crowd-

pleaser, especially to the canine fanciers andDutch Crawford's ponies featured the smoothroutines of the miniature equines.Clowning via Carlo and Ramon brought laugh-ter via the Washerwoman gag and the longshirt haul.The Campa Sisters with brother Juan Carlos,displayed a nifty unicycle trio. The entireCampa Family is a highly versatile quinettein five (5) displays!The intermission offered the opportunity fora side show excursion which was followed byRegalito & Co., mirthful, musical, melodicmadcap via Trouser-trek Car los Campa andtwo saxy daughters, climaxed with the upsidedown xylophone - always great entertainment

Ramon Espana's rocking, rolling rola bolawith a four (4) level high artistry representedexceptional virstuosity on the board. Aerialweb with Danuska's head balancing in thecenter, surrounded by four (4) dazzling damozels wowed the crowd with beauty andeye-goggling wonder.Dutch Crawford's bulls featuring Hoxie's Af-rican male and a harem of four assistantswound up very entertaining circus fare forthe sawdust clientele. The African playedhooky in Wilmington and decided to take astroll around the Mall parking lot.Hoxie Tucker keeps his show on the roadand continues the great tradition of the tent-ed circus despite the harassment* of inflationand blowdowns. We circus fans salute Hoxiefor his moxie! We wish him many more suc-cessful years of successful trouping.

Page 8: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

PageS

At LibertyORGANIST AND MAGICIAN

Years of Experience at Both • If you likeGood Sound, Good Beats, Good Equip-ment for under canvas dates, etc.

LEON PINTERRte. 1, Box 265 Newton, NC 28658

Phone:704-462-2374

July 28,1980

WANTEDSHOW GIRL for Magic Snow -- No exper-ience necessary - 5 weeks - Opening Oct.6th - Short Jumps - Good Pay.

ALSO NEED PHONEMEN NOW - REPLY

RICKLEGGKelmar's Show-Time U.S.A.

P. 0. Box 632 Bradner, Ohio - 43406Phone:(419)435-5260

ACTS SET

Variety acts booked by Simone Firmer En-terprises for appearances on the Merv GriffinTV Show include: Jean Claude, French footjuggler and John Baldwin's Charming Chimps.The programs will air nation-wide this month.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL

The "Old Fashioned Fourth" of July celebration at Old City Park in Dallas featured sevenAlley 85 clowns: Anneta "Jingles" Moerfaeand daughter Michelle "Bubbles"; Poppy"Poppy" Benner; James "Jim-Bow" Decker;Joe "Jo Jo" Vineyard; David "Peabody"Bower and Bill "Willie" Powell.Excited, happy children in the very youngset played "All fall down", and other chil-dren's games, all afternoon with petite Mic-key and Minnie Mouse (Rosaria Mungiolaand Alva Nolan).James "Jim-Bow" Decker clowned in theFourth of July parade in Duncanville, Texas.

HALL & CHRIST CIRCUS UNIQUE

by Kent Ghirard

The Hall & Christ Circus Unique (Side Show)has been playing an extended engagement inHonolulu for the past five weeks. The showplayed the Hawaii State Fair, May 29-June 21and then the State Farm Fair, June 26-July 6.Business was slightly off from last year due tounseasonably rainy weather.Show used a 40 x 120 ft. top, with a len ban-ner front. Line-up of acts included: MelvinBurkhart, anatomical wonder; Joyce Burkhart,electric girl; Poobah, iron tongue Pygmy;JohnTrower, sword swallower and knife throwerwith partner Connie Dougherty; Bill Fitch,human pin cushion; Pete Terhune, fire eater;Ward Hall, magic and vent; Pat Schumate,blade box; Don Gilbert, bed of nails; KelliCarlisle, zig-zag girl and bally; Dick Brisben,penquin boy; Doctor Frankenstein's Asylumof Horrors in Annex; and Tom Shepherd,front talker.Also appearing at the Farm Fair for threenights as a free attraction on the midway wasThe Great Valentino, high wire performer.

Page 9: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

IN MEMORY OF

JULIO

(Bolito)/ARIAS

WE WILL R E M E M B E R HIM

AS THE G R E A T E S T FLYER OF ALL

L O V E ,

T H E H E R N A N D E Z F A M I L Y

— Our d e e p e s t r e g r e t to his f a m i l y •--

Page 10: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 10 July 28, 1980

MACK UMIlED UOTD E (ONES . *OW )9!M A\[ 0*HAKD <*

by Lloyd E. Jones

pie I.B.M. Ring of San Francisco staged itsFirst Annual Close-Up Competition on July4th and drew about 100, including 12 con-testants. Ever see the Coins Through theTable? Hmmm.

Seven judges scored and the winners, eachreceiving a trophy were PATRICK MARTIN(he has won many other prizes and was theonly one who used music); RICK MANG backin our area who surprised with good magic andTOYOHISA SAIKAWA who lived up to thereputation the Japanese are building of perfor-ming excellent magic.

Three runners up received prizes of books ortricks, they were JIM CONGER, VICTORTALLA and CHRIS ABBE, a developingyoungster who showed he can perform otherthan with a vent dummy.

It was an over-long competition and not toowell arranged and handled. Next year, theRing should provide better viewing (perform-ers on stage or raised platform, even viewerson bleacher seats, or a mirror overhead forviewing. Also a better refreshment stand in-stead of one with only coffee and sweet rolls)

Featured with the activities was a lecture byJOHN CORNELIUS, who amused and deligh-ted alt while he showed his varied magic. Eversee a coin jump UP without a gimmick insteadof just falling down? Fascinating. Wide varietyof tricks and improvements which showed anactive magical mind and gave much desireablemagic.

There were also several dealer and swaptables in the downstairs area of the First Con-

July 3 - Lewiston, Idaho • The Carden John-son Circus had some problems during its en-gagement at this city. Circus officials thoughttheir first show was at 2 p.m., while Shrinershad advertised the opening performance wasto be at 11 a.m. The afternoon shew was ham-pered by a thunderstorm.

During one performance a confused chimpattacked 17 month old Melissa Brown. As theanimals were coming from the ring, headingfor their trailer, one chimp apparently thoughtthe baby stroller was a prop, and grabbed it.It then fought for it as trainer Curt Scyman-ski and other show people tried to release theanimal's grip.

The youngster's mother, Toni Brown, is anaerialist with the show and was performing atthe time. She dropped from her trapeze andrushed to the youngster. Melissa was treatedat St. Joseph Hospital for scratches and thenwas released.

gregational Church which has a downtownlocation with parking always a problem. In allit was a most enjoyable magic filled day.

What happens to a lot of expensive magicbooks? Many of them are still to be had whileothers drop out of print or sight. For examplethe beautiful 'Classics of Magic' series of Or.Robert Albo has No. 1, that on the OrientalMagic of Okito out of print, but Vol. 2 and 3are still obtainable at the original prices. Vol.2, 'Classic Magic Without Apparatus' is $90with postage S1.25, ins. $1.10). Vol. 3 'MoreClassic Magic' is $125 (post. $1.25. Ins. $1.40)and Californians must add the 6% sales tax.Since these editions are limited and of qualitythey are certain to be a collector's item.

Page 11: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

JOHN Me PEAK"A WORLD CLASS JUGGLER"

Will appear on the JOHN D A V I D S O N SHOW: Taped at CBSStudios in Hollywood, July 1, 1980. Scheduled for releaseAug. 14 or Aug. 21, 1980, depending on the show's premierdate in your area. Featured guests include Angie Dickinson,Aretha Franklin with Polly Holliday as John's co-host. Checkyour T. V. Guide in advance.

"You're the best juggler I've ever seen," . . John Davidson

- Booked by the Gilbert Miller Agency - (213) 858 - 7196 -

Page 12: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 12 July 28, 1980

On The CoverThis week's cover painting by Robert B. John-son was done in watercolors and shows an ear-ly Mabel Stark act.In her early days Mabel Stark presented a largenumber of tigers and always featured a blackpanther in the group. This painting was crop-ped to fit into CR's front page. It shows a to-tal of 15 tigers in the arena, with others com-ing down the runway. The black panther is onthe pedestal at the lower right.

JOHN W. PUGH HONORED

BY ED PHILLIPS

Employees of the Clyde Beany-Cole Bros. Cir-cus and local circus fans gathered for the 10thconsecutive year to celebrate the founding ofthe tent named in honor of John W. Pugh. Theevent took place during the tent show's annualvisit to Wilmington, Oela.John returned the favor by presenting a 'whiteelephant' to departing tent members Chet andMitzi Pomeroy.

STARS PLAN FOR NEW ACTS

Rumor has it from Tokyo that super-flier TitoGaona and TV star, the former Miss America,Lee Meri wether, will sign with Ringing-Bar-num to do three acts on the show during the1981-82 seasons.In addition to the flying trapeze act, the fa-mous couple plan to do a motorcycle-trapezewire routine and also will be presenting thewhirling wheel of death.Gaona said that although the two new actsare not classic, they will and can be effectivewith favorable fan appeal.

A rose bouquet was presented to Brigitte Pugh,Lois Hoover, Ora Logan, Anita Verdu, MariaRawis and Sandy Windland.

Members of the tent made coffee and servedrefreshments to the entire assembledge whileentertainment in the form of movies on loanfrom the Circus World Museum, featuring thelate Clyde Beatty, were shown.

Page 13: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Now Boohing

W E ' R E L O O K I N G F O R : S P E C T A C U L A R ACTS!S E N S A T I O N A L ACTS!

FOR THE FULL 1980 ARENA WINTER TOUR

& FULL 1981 TENTED SEASON - Oct.'80 - Oct.'81

E S P E C I A L L Y W A N T E D : G I A N T W H E E L

C A N N O N

U N U S U A L / T H R I L L A C T S

( " J o h n n y Luxem - P l e a s e C o n t a c t Us)

SEND PHOTOS AND DETAILS IMMEDIATELY !

CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS. CIRCUSAttn : Mr. Wilson StoreyBox 1570Winter Park, Fla - 32970

Page 14: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 14 July 28, i9uO

PEOPLEBRUCE ANDERSON, high sway pole perform-er, was among those who visited the Great AllAmerican Youth Circus in May. His name wassomehow omitted from that show's list of vis-iting guests.

BEVERLY and BILL GALLOWAY visitedfriends on the Beatty-Cole Circus at Hornell,NY last month.

MANZINI, escape artist, will soon attempt toescape from the Lake George, NY, jail, wherehe will be handcuffed, locked with leg chainsand locked in a cell by the Police Chief. He ishoping to break his record of 5 min. 15 sec.,established for Guinness on May 10, 1968.

DORIS and RALPH HORTON visited the Ot-to Berosini Circus in Mexico in June. Dorisjust returned from a trip to Canada to see herdaughter and new grand-daughter.

BOB YERKES is working on a circus sequencefor the TV show "Fantasy Island". The showwith its circus feature will be aired late thisseason.

BOB MOORE's Mongrel Revue and FRIZZY,the juggling mime clown, have been workingat Knott's Berry Farm Fiesta Village.

THE KUNTZ BROS. (Frank and Darryl) pre-sented their slapstick variety show of dance,songs and snappy patter for patrons of TownEast Mall in Mesquite, Texas, July 4-5.

BETTY WENDANY'SFUNS-A-POPPIN

PACKAGE SHOWS TO FIT YOUR NtEOS

Boa 391. Sunltnd. Calif. • 91040

213-352-4277 213-352 2454

JOHN. MICHAEL and MICHELLE WINN(the Winn Troupe} worked their Slide-for-Lifeand Revolving Aerial Motorcycle acts at theKnott's Berry Farm July 4-13,

ALVA JOHNSON was chairman of the Sara-sota Showfolks' July 4th picnic. The Show-folk's Aug. 2nd Chinese Dinner will be direc-ted by BEA JOHNSON.

BILL BURGER, advance man for the Big JohnStrong Circus, has been getting the show inahead of other shows everywhere he books it.

JOHN and MIKE WINN, high wire performerswill work their aerial motorcycle act for the"Cheap Trick" rock Concert in the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 26th. Also appearingat the concert will be WIN! Me KAY, trapezestar and CHESTER CABLE, who will have aconcession stand there.

BILL and ONALEE WILLIAMS (Cotton Can-dy the Clown) returned to their Californiahome last week just in time for a clown dateat a shopping center in San Pablo, Calif. Theyhad been vacationing with relatives in Texas.

Page 15: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Paee 15

THE 8ARABOO CIRCUS PARADE

BY KENNETH HOLF.HOUSE

Early this month. Rocky Christakes and Idrove to Baraboo, Wsc., to see the much her-alded Circus Parade and visit Circus World.We arrived at noon in heavy bumper-to-bum-per traffic but found a good spot to watchthe parade along a shady neighborhood street.The people along the route were remarkablyjovial and friendly and waited in anticipationof the two o'clock arrival of the MountedTrumpeteers, heralding the arrival of the par-ade. The sun frolicked behind white billow-ing clouds and the eighty-five degree temper-ature was complimented by a light breezethat made the day and atmosphere pictureperfect.Forty-four pieces made up this two hour ex-travaganza which posters advertised had notbeen seen in Baraboo in fifty years. Some ofthe highlights of the parade were the hugebandwagons, each one carrying bands blaringout lively circus music. And the horses ...teams and teams of horses - over 300 of them,many Percheron, and many teams of ponies,also pulling colorful wagons. And then thecry everyone waited for: "Hold your horses.Here come the elephants!" And elephantsthere were, three herds of them lumberingdown the street. The lead elephant was rid-den by a former Miss America. Closing this

BIRTHSMICHELE MARIE was bom to Miguel andRobin Marie Meraz on June 10th at Barrie,Ont., Canada. The youngster weighed in at 7Ibs. 1 % ozs. Her parents are performers withthe Martin & Downs Circus in Canada.

REGAN COLEEN was born to Glenn andIrish Duncan on May 21st and weighed in at7 Ibs. 3 oz. and measured 20V? in. long. Herparents are trainers and performers with theGreat All American Youth Circus at Redlanos,Calif.

once-in-a-lifetime experience was the Amer-ican Steam Calliope, which reportedly can beheard for up to five miles.After the parade, a visit to the Circus WorldMuseum and a display of liberty horse train-ing by John Herriott and then to the Big Topat Circus World where in an hour show AdaSmieya puts her lions and tigers capably thrutheir paces. The Herriott family makes up mostof the show, however, with various membersshowing a dog act, a liberty horse routine, jug-gling and a variety of aerial displays. Betweendisplays, Happy the Clown, a perennial CircusWorld favorite entertains the audience with hisvarious clown antics.Here's hoping the city fathers of Baraboo andCircus World Museum will consider putting ona parade again soon. Fifty years is too muchtime to wait to enjoy this kind of fun.

Page 16: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

WASHINGTON TUBBS 11 By Crane

Page 17: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

NOW BOOKING1981

Need Class Acts Of All Kinds

for

r i o l i d a y H i p p o d r o m e & S h o w t i m e Fol l ies

Send Complete Informal ion Photos

Contact

WM. R. GARDEN

Garden Building Phone'15O7 Laurel Street 81:^-366-9282Sarasota, Florida 33577 1OAM to 4PM

Page 18: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Page 17

HELEN WILSON - Show Organist(own equipment) - 704 - 786 • 4563

MODEL CIRCUS DISPLAYMembers of the Al G. Barnes Ring. CMB arepreparing for their annual Exhibit of ModelCircuses. The exhibit will be held in the Ana-heim Convention Center, Aug. 1-3. Displayswill be open to the public, without charge,from 12 noon to 10 p.m. each day. This yearthe exhibit will bring together circuses fromall over the State of California. Present plansindicate this will be the largest exhibit presen-ted for several years.A rare opportunity is presented for the publicto view these outstanding examples of minia-ture circus art. The circuses represent a lifelonghobby for many of the builders. Tents, animals,wagons, animation effects and even the sawdustrepresent hours of toil in design, hand-carving,and construction.All of the model circuses are in the scale selec-ted by the builder and are true to the periodrepresented by them, from the time when

NOEL BROS. C I R C U S

Needs Ground Acts doing 2 ormore to work in High SchoolGymnasiums (No Magic orClowns).

2 to 3 Weeks in November

Also can use Western Acts -(whips, ropes and knives).

- Police Dates -

Short Jumps (all in Kansas)

Put all details in first letter andstate lowest salary.

Write: Frank Noel

R. R. 2, Box 567

Mulvane, Kansas • 67110

WANTEDWe are looking for a 34 or 35 ft. cablepaneled arena • Also interested in stainless steel or aluminum cat props.

ROYAL HANNEFORD CIRCUS2621 Mall Drive, Sarasota, Fla. 33581

Phone:813-921 -5585

horses and elephants really moved the circusto modem day diesel trains and trucks movingacross the land in a bewildering succession ofdaily construction and tear down of colossalcanvas cities. The modelers have combinedthe physical appearance with the spirit of thecircus performance, displaying elegant ele-phants with engaging antics, dainty displays ofdaring, dazzling, death-defying denizens of thediminutive, with Lilliputian ladies and gentle-men and tiny tots of all ages enjoying thelittlest shows on earth.Who are these model builders? Quite possiblyone may be your neighbor for the members ofthe CMB (an International Association) includeteachers, stock brokers, accountants, engineers,computer experts, even some retired (and ac-tive) circus performers. Men, women and chil-dren all contribute their spare time to thismost fascinating hobby.The public is invited to come and view the dis-plays. There is no admission charge • no solici-tation • nothing for sale.

GREG BRADFORD and KELLY LANG, rol-ler skaters were guests on the Merv Griffin TVShow on July 24th.

VINCE CARMEN, illusionist, currently tour-ing with Acurama in South America, has re-portedly been signed to appear with CircusVargas in 1981.

AT LIBERTYI am now available for Shrine Circus, Parks,or Fairs, with my little 1910 Tin Lizzie Mo-del T Ford, radio controlled comedy car.

LLOYD THE CLOWN (Lloyd W. Loan)18 Valentia St., Huntington, W. Va. 25705

Phone:304-522-2549

Page 19: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 18 July 28, 1980

P O S T E R S P O S T E R S P O S T E R S

"COL. TIM McCOY IN PERSON" Beau t i fu l and scarce two-sheet in three colors. Date: 1959 (when the Col. was withCarson-Barnes). McCoy is shown riding horseback. Insuredand in mailing tube for only $22.50.

THREE OLD ONE-SHEETS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

. K I N G BROS. CIRCUS 1954, Upr ight . Shows the Riding Cris-tianis. Inspired by their Hagenbeck-Wallace litho and muchlike the design on Page 254 of "The Circus in America". Note:this was af ter the Cristianis and King split up so the Cristianiname does not appear on the poster. Scarce.

AL G. KELLY AND M I L L E R BROS. CIRCUS famous uprightGiraf fe poster. Nice i tem.

COLE BROS. CIRCUS - The well-known flat bill showing herdsof per forming elephants. Much like the bill on Page 271 of "TheCircus in America".

All three above lithos sent in mailing tube and insured for only$ 22.50

- M O N E Y O R D E R S OR C A S H I E R ' S C H E C K P L E A S E -

DAVE PRICERoute 5, Box 91-A Lebanon, Tenn. - 37087

HERBIE WEBER and MARCELLA visited withRICK LEGG while enroute to show dates inNew Jersey.

RICK LEGG, clown, has been working datesfor the M&M Circus and will be doing spot datework at fairs for Klein's Attractions.

TV's 700 Club presented Tino Wallenda Zop-pe's Circus Maranatha, taped in Virginia Beach(Va). Acts included: Olinka trapeze; Bertini,bicycles; Col. J. P.'s Tank; Uondi the elephant;Tino Wallenda Zoppe, wire (taped in Youngs-town, Ohio); Don Giovanni; Erna's Chimps; J.P.'s bicycle; and the hying Lanes (taped in

Younystown, Ohio). Ross Bagley was the an-nouncer.

A sudden gust of wind at Elmira, N.Y., snap-ped a big top side pole on the Beatty-Cole Cir-cus and pushed the pole through the canvastop.

The Golden Gate Clown Alley No. 80 has an-nounced plans for a special dinner program tobe held at San Mateo, Calif, on Sept. 27th.

TEXAS SHORTY CHANCELLOR was thelead story on P.M. Magazine on July 7th. Theshow was filmed at the annual Fiddler's Com-petition in Athens, Texas, with more than3000 fans in attendance. Shorty made it altworth while by winning the Grand Championaward for the event.

Page 20: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 20

ANGELA WILNOW and Her Collie* have leftthe mid-west and are now playing Fairs in NewYork for Oler Productions of Sarasota.

TIM COONEY has returned to his home inSouthern California after visiting with GARYJACOBSON. TONY STEELE and RON andROXANNEWHITFIELO.

"POPPY" BENNER and ROY HONEYCUTT"Mr. Bashful" entertained with their clownnumbers at the Pepper Square shopping cen-ter in Dallas on July 18-19.

MICHAEL and MICHELLE CLARK (Clark'sLions) recently taped a CFTU-TV series for"Circus!" in Toronto, while there they werebooked for Garden Bros, fall tour.

LARRY WILSON, magician, was featured onthe John Davidson TV Show the afternoon ofJuly 22nd.

BOB "Rags" THOMAS. Amarillo, Texas,clown, has survived his surgery and is back atwork clowning.

July 28, 1980

WANTMUSICIANS - For Tented Cir-

cus opening Sept. 10th in Southeast • Closing in mid -November

in Florida.

Also want musicians Tor the1981 tour.

CAN PLACE •-•+ Trumpet+ Trombone+ Baritone Horn+ Tuba+ Drums

+ Saxophone

CHARLES SCHLARBAUM305 - 361 - 5297 305 - 361 - 2166

or416-484 -4114

- (Leave Numbr- For Call Back) -

ATTENTION

• •••••••••••»-0 /X ^ irrT

*&$$?*?**that will bring your

sponsors back againIndividual Dates . ' ' ' '

availableNationwide Philip

(MorrisHWdof

TOURING

STAGE

14thannualtour

GREATER AMERICANENTERTAINMENTP fl DD 77 COCONUTAVE.****""• SARASOTA. FLORIDA 33577

Phone (813) 365-3336

•••••••••••••••••••••••*WILLIAM J ENGLISH, PRES.

Page 21: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Page 21

Shrine DatesCOMPILED BY HIKE SPORRER

COOS BAY, Oregon-Coos-Curry County Shrine Club1956-Apr. 71957 • None1958-Apr. 5-1959-Apr. 4-1960-Apr. 2-1961-Mar. 251962-Mar. 311963-Mar. 301964-Mar. 281965-Apr. 3-1966-Mar. 261967-Apr. 1 -1968-Apr. 6-1969-Mar. 221970-Mar. 281971-Apr. 271972-Apr. 111973-Apr. 7-1974-Apr. 201975-May 101976-May 151977 - May 7 -1978-May 6-1979-Apr; 14

- Rudy Bros.

Ken JensenKen JensenKen Jensen- Ken Jensen- Ken Jensen- Ken Jensen- Ken JensenKen Jensen- Ken JensenKen JensenKen Jensen- Reppines Int'l.- Reppines Int'l- Reppines Int'l- Reid Bros.Reid Bros.- Grand Circus Safari- Grand Circus Safari- Grand Circus SafariGrand Circus SafariGrand Circus Safari- Grand Circus Safari

(All shows were presented at the MarsfieldHigh School Gym).

HOXIE'S SLOWDOWN

BY BILL WATSON

The writer caught the Hoxie Bros. Circus atMcKeesport, Pa., the day after their first blowdown.

The show was set up on the lot in Morgantown(W.Va.J. At that time we had the worst set oftornados to hit the Tri-State area. At Morgan-town on June 3rd, about 3 p.m. the storm hit.The wind hit the big top and down she came.Nobody was in the tent at the time. The tentwas ripped beyond repair.For about the next week they sidewalled theshow. When I caught the show on June 4th itwas set up in a cornfield. I have seen somerough lots but this had to be the worst I haveever seen.

in theBUSY WRITER

Billy Barton, author of the mystery novel 'PastMurder Imperfect' is already busy sandwichingpersonal appearances to promote his novel be-tween regular performing commitments.On Aug. 4, during Old Home Week Celebrationin Greencastle (Pa), the author's home town,anevent held every four yean which just happen-ed to dovetail with the publication of his book.Mr. Barton will make a personal appearancewith his Mister Sensation aerial act to kick-offthe opening night festivities, performing 15minutes before the Grand Opening Ball. Hisappearance will be covered by the media inthe area, television, radio and newspapers.Members of the Emmett Kelly CFA Tent inHagerstown, Md., will also be present.In copyrighting the published edition, the no-velist authorized the U. S. Library of Congressto turn his book into Braile for the blind andinto phonocopies for the handicapped.A donation of one copy each to four local li-braries will also be covered by the media inSeptember just before he leaves to open inAustin, Texas, Sept. 29th,

Upon his return from Providence where hewill be appearing with Circo Italia for produ-cer Ed Migley (Dec. 4-7), Billy Barton willmake a guest appearance at the Felix AdlerCFA tent meeting presided over by FrankRobie. This kicks off a string of personal ap-pearances at civic functions, women's clubs,colleges and schools nationwide, all in con-nection with his book.

COST-CUESMl TYPES OF WARDROBE MADE

TO OPDtB Oft PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNEDBY Alf NA

AUNA BAlOUN(613) 488 4506

304 SOUTH PARK BlVOVENICE FlA

Page 22: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 22

AINID SHRINE TEMPLE CIRCUS

by Kami Davis

The annual Ainid Temple Shrine Circus pro-duced by George Hubler (June 7-9 and June10-13 in Belleville and Granite City respec-tively) was once again a festive summer meet-ing place for performers working there and inSt. Louis at the Moolah Temple Shrine Circus(June 4-8). Show times were staggered suchthat Jots of visiting was done by alt. All of theAinid show was able to go see the St. Louisshow before their opening.Visitors from St. Louis to the Belleville dateincluded Lou Ann Jacobs, Pancho Magana,Aurelia and Irving Hall, Billy Barton, BobbyDavis. Mike and John Winn, Johnny Luxem,Janet and Susan Rix, George Barreda, Ronand Ivey Kilroy, Luis Munoz, the FlyingLanes, Nicholas Young, Clark McDermott,the Darrel Waltens and the Rolls Duo. Alsovisiting was the Alberto Zoppe family.The program ran as follows: Overture; HarryThomas, tigers; Olinka, trapeze; Antonio*,bicycles; the Edwardos, bicycles; the Karinason trampoline; Ben Williams and Anna May;Evelyn, Girl in the Moon; Olmeda SpanishHorse Fantasy; Sir Chadwick Chase and hisRolls Rotten; Tino Wallenda Zoppe; Inter-mission; Torrino Bros., juggling; Don Giovanni, lamp post; Woodcock's performing ele-phants with Ben Williams; Sensational Sway-ing Stars; Raccini's Orginal Rocket Car.Announcer, George Hubler; music by a tenpiece band under the direction of BoomBoom Browning's trumpet player; Clowns

July 28,1980

were Wayne Lnkala, Tino Zoppe's olderdaughter, Antonio Olmeda and GiovanniZoppe.

Buckles Woodcock left before the Bellevilleopening to supervise his elephant ride at theKansas City Zoo. Attendance in both Belle-ville and Granite City was SRO. The highheat and humidity in Belleville made the latenight and morning set-up and first matineemiserable. After a front came through, thefirst night, the weather broke for the better.This gave way to perfect temperatures forthe remaining two matinees and nightshows.Provisions for the band's comfort from thesun's glaring rays in the form of a sophistica-ted shelter was attended to by the show'sarchitects G. Hubler and H. Davis. A 10x20flat top canopy was attached to one side ofthe show's Wells Cargo and guyed out with7 iron slakes and hundreds of feet of clothesline. The band was most grateful to Hap Da-vis (designer) and George Hubler (materialssupplier) for their fresh air housing.

PHILIP MORRIS has been serving as techni-cal director for a new feature film "CarnivalMagic" being filmed in the Carolinas. PAULROYTER, who is with the Morris organiza-tion has been teaching a chimp to do magic.Morris has also booked the Stebbings Circusfor the film.

Page 23: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Page 23

MATTEL REPORT

(The following information has been takenfrom Mattel's Report to Stockholders, for theperiod ending May 3, 1980. For a true pictureof the company's operations one should readthe full report).

"... As indicated in our recently distributedAnnual Report, the period since our last An-nual Meeting has been an eventful time. Con-sistent with our previously stated commit-ment we have been active in refocusing andredeploying our resources where appropriateto maximize overall future profit marginswhile assuring a solid base for continuedgrowth. During that period we acquired West-em Publishing Co.; our Ringling Bros.-Bamum& Bailey Combined Shows subsidiary acquiredthe Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies and Holi-day on Ice ice shows...""... Income before extraordinary item wasS30.553.000 up 27.5% from $23,961,000 re-ported for the previous fiscal year. This in-crease was principally due to higher operatingprofit from the Toy Products segment of our

FOR SALETHREE COMPLETE ACTS

Single goat act - beautiful - white • bighorns • super fast - rare worker - totsof tricks - complete with all propsand cage-$700.00

Circus and Rodeo Mule - 5 year old 40"buckskin - lots and lots of good tricks- outstanding hindleg walker - Muchmore - Asking $1600.00 - real steal atS850.00 this week.

Five cute African pygmy goats • outstand-ing routine - complete with all new propsand cages - $2400.00. this week just$1200.00

You'll never buy complete acts for thismoney again.

R. E. LEONARD

913 537-1450

business, including Electronics, and the addi-tion of Western Publishing Co. Furthermore,these earnings for fiscal 1980 were after ab-sorbing non-recurring pre-tax operating lossestotalling approximately $7,300,000 from ourMetaframe Corp., and from the unsuccessfulintroduction of the Monte Carlo Circus by ourRingling Bros.-Bamum & Bailey CombinedShows.""...In the fiscal year ended Feb 2,1980,each of the operating units contributed onceagain to Mattel's continued growth in sales.The Toy Products group was up 24% led byelectronic games which were up 173%; Mon-ogram Models was up 20%; Ringling Bros.-Bamum & Bailey Combined Shows was up9%; and Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Cir-cus World theme park was up 35%.

"During the first quarter of fiscal 1981. all ofthese segments, plus Western Publishing andthe Ice Shows, continued to show significantsales growth except Ringling Bros.-Barnum &Bailey Combined Shows which was negativelyimpacted by the transit strike during their im-portant New York City engagement."

"... The Entertainment segment consistingof Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey CombinedShows traveling circuses, the Ice Follies andHoliday On Ice Combined Shows, the Ring-ling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus Worldtheme park, provided about 10% of Mattel'stotal sales last year with mixed performance.Revenues were up over the previous year forboth the traveling circus units and the themepark. However, while profits from the CircusWorld theme park were up, profits from theCombined Shows were down due to problemswith the new one-ring Monte Carlo Circus.The Ice Shows were acquired early in the yearand Ringling management brought these oper-ations from a loss to a near break-even byyear-end."So far this year the operating performanceof the Entertainment group again has beenmixed. After a very encouraging start by bothunits, the upward trend of one unit of Ring-ling Bros. Combined Shows was adversely af-fected by the transit strike in New York City.The other unit, however, has continued to postboth attendance and profit gains. The Interna-tional Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, whichturned in a loss last year, is now operating 'profitably overseas with extended engagementsin Australia and Japan.

(Continued on Page 26)

Page 24: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 24

BILLY BARTON (Continued)

much a secret from Rona!.. .While I caughtsome of the Hoxie Circus performance in Mi l -burn,NJ I didn't watch it all. However, Ithought the wardrobe was of particular high-quality and thought the CAMPA FAMILY, inparticular, did a good job, and the ARM-STRONGS do a very nice hanging perch act.The show overall is weaker than have beenmost Hoxie programs in the past but that'sbecause they've lost several acts this year...

DONNA McMAHON seemed a bit piqued withme when I couldn't place her. I had only mether once, briefly, when she was a PYLE . ANDa little girl I. And I don't believe I ever met hus-band JOE more than twice, years and yearsago, when we were all with HOWARD SUESZ- at that time Joe was out with HAGEN Bros,and I was with Howard's other show, ClydeBros.. .BONNIE ARMOR is now in New Eng-land touring with DICK GARDEN'S Bavarianconcession .. GARDEN BROS, resumed itstour, kicking off at the Three Rivers (Quebec)Fair followed by a string of fair dates in On-tario. . .IAN. along with many producers, hada booth at the Shrine Convention in Clevelandthe week of July 5th. ..MISS LONI appearedat the Shrine Ball on July 8. ..Rumors are thatDOROTHY WINN and RON KELROY havethe Saginaw Shrine date back BUT I hasten toadd this is ONLY a rumor. Neither has calledin a confirmation.. .1 am told by a number ofpeople that, sadly, TONY SMAHA, Sr., con-tinues to languish in serious condition. INGAand young TONY are besides themseles withgrief. The worst of it is there is nothing anyof us can do to make their situation better..BONNIE ARMOR tells me that MANUELBAR R A G A N ' s son has only a short time leftin which to live; may in fact, have expired,even as this column goes to print.. .The Sma-has, incidentally, are set to appear on the Tex-as dates and I was told by JOHNNY LUXEMthat DARREL WALLEN offered to help them

July 28,1980

HERBIE WEBER will make the Em men KellyCircus date at Washington's prestigious Ken-nedy Center in late Aug. This has become an"annual" for that show—Ringling Red hasbeen touring Texas in the midst of that KillerHeat Wave.. JACK and PATTI COOK areplaying fairs in Canada for Gastoni... GAY-LORD MAYNARD played the Winnipeg Fair.. .BARBARA LUXEM is at home in Wiscon-sin with her excellent executive's positionwhile Johnny barnstorms the summer withhis wheel. Johnny, meanwhile took a nightschool course to study and read blueprints,and has a good job in the winter. He onlytours in the summer because he would be offhis job anyway. He recently bought a newcar for Barbara and would you believe - hidit in the garage bedecked with streamers madeout of-TOILET TISSUE!

A WORD; We are only printing 5000 copiesof my special FIRST EDITION of PAST MURDER IMPERFECT in the deluxe hardcoverautographed version and those copies are sell-ing out. This edition will not be reprinted.When those 5000 copies are gone there willbe NO MORE, so those of you who are pro-crastinating you'd better get your order inquickly or you'll be out of luck. Furthermorethe Second Printing, which is a lesser edition,will not be out until later in the fall and thatedition will NOT go to bookstores. It will beoffered by mail order and sold via a series ofcollege lecture tours, women's club luncheonsand various other appearances at civic func-tions throughout the country. AND, if youare waiting for the paperback you will have along wait. While I have made arrangementsfor the sale of my novel to paperback I willnot allow its release until the end of 1981,perhaps the spring of 1982, when my secondnovel is off the press and the first hardcoverbook has run its course and has been sold toforeign rights - England, Australia and Cana-da. So, kiddees, don't say you didn't know,

SEE you in print, luvs.

Page 25: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

Page 26

MATTEL REPORT (Continued)

"We also expect the combined Ice Shows tooperate profitably this year as Ringling man-agement continues to upgrade the quality ofentertainment with fresh themes, choreographyand music, and new acts, costumes and props."Last month Ringling Bros. Combined Shows^otntly announced plans with Walt Disney Pro-ductions to produce and market a new familyentertainment show called "Disney on Ice" tobe launched in Aug. 1981. This new travelingshow will feature leading world class skatersas characters in scenes from Disney cartoonsand animated features."After recording substantial gains in attend-ance and profits last year, the Circus Worldtheme park was experiencing difficulties inmaintaining attendance gains early this year.Circus World's three most direct competitorseach opened costly new additions to theirparks accompanied by vigorous promotioncampaigns in Dec. As a result, attendance suf-fered at Circus World. However, we will be opening a new 8-acre animal wonderland attrac-tion to the park in July which, coupled withnew advertising, should improve the attend-

July 28.1980

CIRCUS VARGAS (Continued)

Circus following the evening performance. Eachyear the children of performers perform inwardrobe, presenting their parents and manage-ment with a display of their skills. Before theperformance started Tent President MichaelSporrer presented Clifford E. Vargas with aspecial certificate of appreciation on be half ofof it's members for the fine work he has done.Following the performance pink lemonade,cookies and donuts were served, complimentsof the Jack Bell Tent.Mr. Vargas, Management and Performers, takea bow for a week we will never forget!

Magic Fantasia will present four performancesat the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Summer Fest when itappears there on Aug. 7th and 8th. The showis scheduled to tour in Canada this fall.

ance trend. Even so, there is a possibility thatCircus World may be somewhat short of itsgoals for the year."

Page 26: Circus Report, July 28, 1980, Vol. 9, No. 30

The Circus Report Page 27

FLORIDA NOTES

BY 'CIRCUS JOE' VALENCIANO

There are currently two TV commercials uti-lizing circus trains - Dr. Pepper, the soft drinkand Sherwin-Williams Paints.Recently on a local telecast, the news programshowed the removing of the large 10-ton Bar-mini & Bailey "Two Hemispheres" band wa-gon from the defunct Circus Hall of Fame inSarasota. The big 40-horse hitch wagon waspulled by a lonely farm tractor, next door tothe Ringling Museum. It was the first timethe big bandwagon had been moved in years.The Great Sebastian, recently featured hisDeath-Defying Bullet Catch in Florida, appear-ing at a Gun Show in Sarasota and Ft. Myers.

CIRCUS BOOK-"The Circus Life andAdventures of Adam Bardy" • A truly inter-esting life story for old-timers especially. On-ly $7.95 a copy. Order from: Adam Bardy.Thompson, Conn. • 06277.

CIRCUS QUIPSBY KARL J. BISCHOFF

A L A P L A N D E R is a concession man whocan't keep his balance in the seats.

TO SOME PROMOTERS WITHOUT AMB!TION, money isn't everything MATTER OFFACT it isn't very plentiful.

GET A PIECE OF THE ACTION ... re-member only a turtle moves ahead by stick-ing HIS NECK OUT.

ONE OF THE SALESMEN in the big top.selling program books, objects to being refer-red to as a pitchman, HE PREFERS BEINGCLASSED AS A WEALTHY LIBRARIAN.

TOM MIX COULD SHOOT A HANGMAN'SROPE IN TWO PIECES while jumping on hishorse. THE NEW T.V. SHOOTERS need twohands. CAN IT BE THAT THEY ARE BUMSHOTS?