8th Year

F A V O R I T E=^-==February 26,1979 Number 9

Hospital PerformanceMore than 1,000 patients - mostly in wheel chairs and on gurneys - were treated to a special

benefit circus performance, when Circus Vargas set-up their huge big top on the parking lot of theRancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, Calif., for a special one-time show on Feb. 7th.

Circus Vargas, the world's largest three-ring circus performing under the big top, presentedtheir show just for patients and hospital personnel, many of whom had never before seen a circusbecause of physical disabilities and logistical problems. Most of the show's seats were left out toaccommodate the hospital equipment. Electrical hook-ups were even provided for some of thepatients' life-sustaining equipment.

Realizing that for many, this would be the only way some would get the opportunity to seethe circus, show owner Clifford E. Vargas brought his entire two-and-a-half hour long show rightto the hospital. Trapeze artists, Bengal tigers,high wire stars, elephants, tumblers, horses, andall of the other features that go to make up thisgreat show, took part in the performance.

The circus arrived early in the morningto get set-up in time for the performance. Cir-cus Vargas transformed the hospital parkinglot into a magical "circus city" before the won-der-filled eyes of their guests.

It was obvious from the expression on

their faces that the patients truly enjoyed thecircus' afternoon visit. As one hospital patientsaid, "the afternoon was filled with all kinds ofexciting sights and smells. It was really a greatand wonderful afternoon for all of us."

AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

HOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTSContact

PAUL V. KAYESuite 519 • 1680 North Vine Street • Hollywood, California •

Area Code 213 • 462-600190028

Page 2 February 26. 1979

Wanf — WantNEED IMMEDIATELY - ANIMAL HANDLERS and DIESEL DRIVERS - Salary plusSleeping Accommodations - Join as per showroute:

Feb. 15-16-17-18 - White Plains, N.Y. (West-Chester County Center)

Feb. 22-23-24-25 - Charleston, S. C. (GuillaruMemorial Auditorium)

Mar. 5 to 25 • Chicago, III. (Medinah ShrineTemple)

ROYAL HANNEFORD CIRCUSAsk for Tommy Hanneford

Af/fce//*jieottfBardine Productions have moved to Amboy, Wash,which is about 30 miles northeast of Portland, Ore.,in the foothills of Mount St. Helen. (See ad on another page of this issue).

The Monte Carlo Circus is running large ads for itsMarch 7-11 date at Grand Rapids, where prices havebeen set at $5.00, $6.00 and $7.00 .

WRIGHT'SBLACK HIGHSCHOOL PONIES

(4) andBLACK POODLES (7)

- Standard Dog Act - Both acts

well trapped and dressed.

A V A I L A B L E AFTER MAR. 15th

for

Circus - Fairs - Shopping Centers

Contact: Rosie and joeBox 213Hugo, Okla. - 74743

Phone: 405 - 326 -6590

JAMES II. DREW EXPOSITION

WantedHIGH TYPE MAN THAT CAN JOBILLPOSTING.

NOTE. WE USE CARDS ANDHALF SHEETS.

ALSO TO HANDLE SPECIALAGENTS DUTIES AND fviARKET-ING.

PREFER MAN WITH CIRCUSEXPERIENCE.

Address: P. O. Box 5559Augusta, Ga. 30906

Phcne: 404- 798-2288

DR. ALAN NAKANISHI, optometrist of WalnutCreek, Calif., uses mag'c to calm down youngsterswho are nervous when visiting his office.

EUGENE CURTIS (Quackey the Clown) was atthe Jan. 20-22 Illinois Assoc. of Agricultural FairsConvention in Springfield.

LOOMS, the magician, reports he recently visitedwith magician/evangelist ANDRE KOLEandalsawith DANNY DEW, an old pro wbo builds props.

RON LONDON, magician and MC was one of sever-al acts appearing on a special program for the Jan.7-9 Indiana Association of County and DistrictFairs held at that state's capitol.

THE CIRCUS REPORT Is complied and edited byDon Marcks, 525 Oak St., El Cerrlto, Calif. 94530.Phone: (415) 525-3332.SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $15.00 per year. Oversea*subscription via surface mall is $20.00 a year.ADVERTISING RATES: (Per Issue on a First comebasis with space permitting): $5.00 Minimum ad;$10.00 Quarter Page; $20.00 naif page; $35.00 FullPaso.

The Circus Report Page3

UIAYM RflGEfl

LIONS and TIGERS

AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGAfter July 1, 1979

Wri te to: W A Y N E R AGE N, 82-347 Highway 111, htJio, Calif . 92201

Phone: 714 - 347 -0911

Page 4 February 26. 1979

SHOW DATESHubert Castle Circus

Mar. 3-11 Minneapolis, Minn.

Circus VargasFeb 26-Mar 1 Orange, Calif.Mar. 3-7 Cerritos

Cole All Star TV CircusFeb. 26 Phoenix, N.Y.

27 Hannibal28 Cato

Mar. 1 Jordan3 Geneva4 Sodus

Garden Bros. CircusFeb 23-26 Reading, Pa.Mar. 2-4 Allentown

Hamid-Morton CircusMar. 2-4 Topeka, Kansas

Monte Carlo CircusFeb. 27-28 Syracuse, N.Y.Mar. 2-4 Niagara FalK

Moscow Circusto Mar. 4 San Juan, P.R.

Rajah Shrine CircusMar. 2-4 Allentown, Pa.

Ringjing-Barnuin - Blue UnitFeb. 27-28 Fayetteville, NCMar. 2-4 Columbia, SC

Ringling-Bamum - Red UnitFeb 27-Mar 4 Norfolk, Va.

Royal Hanneford CircusMar. 1-4 Greenville, SC

Zuhrah Shrine CircusMar. 3-11 Minneapolis, Minn

Jungle Wonders CircusMar. 2 Cleveland, Texas

• - - O T H E R D A T E S - - -

Blackstone Magic ShowMar. 1-3 Salt Lake City.

Utah

Donkey BaseballFeb. 27 Piedmont, Calif.

Flintstones On ParadeMar. 1-18 Sydney, Aust.

Holiday On Ice - Int'l UnitFeb 27-Mar 4 Beaumont,

Texas

Holiday On Ice - Nat'l UnitFeb 27-Mar 4 Louisville, Ky

Ice Capades - Cont'l UnitFeb 28-Mar 4 Sherbrooke,

Quebec

Ice Capades - Eastern Unitto Feb 28 Philadelphia, Pa.Mar. 2-11 Chicago, III.

Ice Capades - Western UnitFeb 27-Mar 4 Saginaw, Mich.

Ice FolliesFeb 27-Mar 11 Cleveland, Oh.

Evel Knievel Thrill ShowFeb. 26 Wsgga, Viet. Aust.

27 Albury28 Bendigo

Mar. 1 Geelong3 Melbourne

Kramien's Magicazam ShpwFeb 27-Mar 4 Los Angeles,

Calif.

Loomis' Magic CapadesFeb. 26 Los Alamos, N.M.

28 SocorroMar. 3 Grants

4 Gallup

Mr. Sensation • AerialistFeb. 23-26 Reading, Pa.Mar. 2-4 Allentown

Sports ShowFeb.28-Mar 4 Oakland, Calif.

White House in MiniatureFeb 24-Mar 3 Myrtle Beach,

SC

NOW BOOKING DATES5331 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 603

Hollywood, Calif. - 90028Phone: Person-to-Person

KEN GRIFFIN after 4:30 p.m.Houston (713) 729-7076

Circus Pets on ParadeFeb. 17-18 Allentown, Pa.

This Is Magic - Holveck & Co.Feb. 27 Pismo Beach, Calif.

28 Paso RoblesMar. 1 Arroyo Grande

2 Morro Bay3 Marina

Illi.II tt/ttf /MKf IH V / /

MORTON MfcRAZ 302 17th STREET SAN DIEGO. CALIFORNIA 92101 17141 238 1375

The JABCYNSKI TROUPE,scheduled to tour withHamid-Morton cancelled and have been replaced bythe TABAK TROUPE, a seven person teeterboardact, (also doing a pole voltiage number called THEROBERTOS and a hair-suspension). The troupewas booked by BAUER-HALL

JOE BAUER flies to Europe for a quick businesstrip in early April. In March he and his family moveup to their rented home in New Jersey. Meanwhilethe Bauer-Hall Agency basset the fabulous FLYINGESPANAS, the FRANCONI DUO and the FARRELLBROS, (hi-wire) with the BILLY SMART Circus fora 12 week run starting June 26th. Two TV specialsare also part of the contract.

ED and CYNDY MIGLEY bought 2!4 acres of ruralwooded property near Providence (R.I.) where theyare building a large house. CIRCUS ODYSSEY willbegin its New England route in April and Ed has ad-ded a number of college dates to the route which in-cludes the very successful annual Police Circus in

" Providence.CLOSE-UPS: GRACE MclNTOSH and CHUCK

MARINE have added a week in July to their M & MCircus Internationale route. The date is in the De-troit area.. .BENTLEY BROS, will play four weeksin the fall instead of the announced three, plus datesin July.. .THE VASQUEZ TROUPE has alreadybeen signed for the fall tour. The Vasquez will bewith Castle in 1980.. .The MONTE CARLO CIRCUSrumorhazzit, will NOT go into Circus World for tenweeks as previously reported. My sources tell me thereason is the "nut" is too great.. .The MANUELNAVARRO Family will return to the Texas dates..The Texas Dates run into Thanksgiving Week thisyear, are spread out over a longer period than theyhave been for the past several seasons, which knocksout New Orleans, Evansville and Hammond for anyact signing with that circuit.. .Booked into Kenny-wood Park so far are the JAMES ZOPPE ROYAL

RESINBACK RIDERS and THE FLYING LANES.. Jimmy Zoppe will also play spot dates for FlecklesCircus.. .Coming east to play a few dates for SAMT POLACK and SANDY DOBRITCH is LAWRENCEGRANT (Lion Act).. JASON McCULLOM, former-ly at Circus World and previously with the Coronas,is now living in the Philadelphia area and is buildinga single trapeze act for the 1980 season.. .BISBINI'sComedy Mule Act had to bow out of Rochester forM&M due to truck problems.. JIM SWAFFORD isoff to Mexico to visit shows there.. .ARIA's Bearsto make a surprise announcement in mid-season andwhich I promised to keep secret until then.

NEWS FROM CIRCUS VARGAS: The FLYING PA-DILLAS joined at Whittier (Cal), also the JULIAN &MONIQUE motorcycle act and a HERRIOTT daugh-ter. The Herriotts have garnered lavish publicity alongthe way.. .ROBIN MEDINA was out of the show fora few days when bitten badly by a dog.. .Three moremusicians have been added to the band.. .And thenew top, electric blue with orange trim was spottedin Canoga Park.. .Still to join the show are the CAR-LOS TWINS.. .ANNA FRITZ is no longer with theshow.. .A 5th wheel unit has been purchased for theshow's wardrobe.. .Business has been sensational, fullhouses to over f low everywhere. . .An extra fourthshow was scheduled at 11 a.m. in Canoga Park ...Tickets this year are scaled at $5.75, $6.75 and $7.75.. .Visitors have included: Jimmie Briscoe, MarthaRaye, Abe Goldstein, Carlotta Thomas, Tony Bau-mann, Eduardo Valentino, Lee Maloney, Doug Lyon,Virginia Lee Fenton, Mia Bowen, Millie Ward, WallyRoss, Bobby Yerkes, Larry Joyner, Wini McKay,Chester Cable, Smokey Jones, John Strong and thefamily, Ed Drake, Gary Thornton, Paul Kaye, Tom-my Bentley and Chuck Clancy, plus others.

SNAPSHOTS: The GUTIS opened their season in

(Continued on Page 16)

EURQPQRAMA, ING.J O H N W I N N . P re s iden t

223 West Ma in St.. Sui te 205, M e d f o r d , Oregon 97501 - P h o n e : (503) 7 7 9 - 7 4 4 1

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Page 6 February 26,1979

FOR SALE42 ft. semi - 6 horse, with 23 ft. LuxuryLiving Quarters - Power Plant - Air -Heat - Stereo - Microwave - With 2 tonCMC gas tractor.

- $ 27,000.00 -SUPER SHARP RIG

Phone: 1 - 405 - 282 - 0548

B A R D I N E P R O D U C T I O N SCharles Bardine Cindy Bardine

Drawer TAmboy, Washington 98601Phone: (206) 247-5352

P L E A S E NOTE - WE H A V E M O V E D !

DICK and CAROL SCHICK, magician/clown/Punch& Judy performers, from Chicago, recently bought acalliope which they will be using in conjunction withfuture shows.

FRANK HERMAN is working dates in the Los Ang-else, Calif., area with his vent act.

T. 0. COLLIER, Mr. BASS, from Tampa, Mr. Little,from Palatka (Fla) and HUGO MARQUARDT, visit-ed the Ringlmg Red Unit during the show's engage-ment at Jacksonville, Fla.

NEIL MURRAY, author/photographer has put to-gether a photo book called "The Love of Elephants"

NEW OFFICERSNew officers which were recently elected for the com-ing year by members of Clowns of America, Inc., "In-ternational" include:

President, Lou Walston, of Baltimore, Md., Vice-Pres-ident. Tommy Smith, of Richmond, Va., Treasurer,John Tabeling, of Baltimore, Md., Secretary, MyrtleFolderauer, of Baltimore, Md., Sgt.-At-Arms, Bill Ni-der, of Baltimore, Md., and Directors, Bill Bailey,Woodlynne, N.J., Donna McBride, Trenton, N.J.,Kay Brock, Pasadena, Md., and Bill Oakley, Eagle-ville, Pa.

which should be available in most stores. The bookincludes one small photo of a tiger/elephant act, pos-sibly a European show or the Ringling show.

IN MEMORY

O F O U R F R I E N D A N D F E L L O W C I R C U S F A N

Richard J. McMillenCFA - CMB

YOU W I L L BE S A D L Y MISSED BY ALL OF US

CFA'S OF A T L A N T I C CITY, N. J.

John P. D u f f y John R. Davis

Ken Grovatt Frank Hoopes

Earl Michaels, Ringmaster for H a m i d - M o r t o n Circus

Sir Victor Julian

F O N D L Y R E M E M B E R E D

M A R I E a n d A N D R E W K I R B Y

PageS February 26,1979

CENTRAL INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.An affiliate of A. C. Nelsen Co.

Serving the insurance needs of per-formers and show people for over

thirty years.2112 HARNEYSTREETOMAHA. NEBRASKA 68102 402-345-7558

Show ReportWORLD OF MAGIC AND ILLUSION

by Phil Chandler

The Incredible World of Magic and Illusion, now inNew York City, features Richiardi. The show was atthe Village Gate Theatre, but is scheduled to moveup to a Broadway Theatre.

The show opens with a Spooky Black Art scene andthe introduction of the M.C. It is followed by thefirst performer of the show, Ger Cooper, from Hol-land. He is truly a fine performer and his silent sleightof hand act was well received.

Count Delia Ragione, from Italy, follows with moresleight of hand and then some well executed pick-poc-ket work, using members of the audience.

The comedy act on the program features Bob Baxterwho has the audience in stitches with his routines. Heis one of the funniest men in show business.

The highlight of the show, of course, is Richiardi. Heopens his portion of the program with a fast openingusing doves who appear and disappear at a rapid pace,followed by the vanish of a full-sized Poodle in aTemple which then produces a pretty girl.

Other outstanding illusions presented on the showinclude the Levitation, Broom Illusion, DeKoltaChair Vanish and a Tip-over Trunk. There are alsoseveral smaller effects prior to the intermission.

During intermission the stage is set for the BuzzSaw Illusion and when the audience is seated Bob

FOR SALE6 yr. old Female, Asiatic Elephant -Completelytrained - Also 1977 - 27 ft. gooseneck trailer.Sold separately or together,Contact: JOHN BARBER

602-962-8695 or 602-946-5564

BEVERLY and JIM ROYAL will tour with the HoxieBros. Circus this season. Jim reports he has a new illu-sion called "The Light Fantastic" created especiallyfor him by JIM STEINMEYER, of Chicago. Beverlyis recovering rapidly from a leg injury sustained latelast year.

DeMILLE and JOSE LUIS MUNOZ, wire walkers,were pictured in a TV Guide magazine ad for the"America vs. The World Circus Challenge" showpresented by NBC-TV on Feb. 13th.

DORIAN BLAKE, illusionist and magician, will bethe announcer with the James M. Cole's All Star TVCircus during March and April.

Baxter makes an announcement that if anyone thereis apt to faint at the sight of blood it might be well ifthey were to leave.

The curtains part, and those on stage are dressed inhospital whites. The young lady is put to sleep andplaced on the table. Then the 30 inch saw blade isstarted up and cuts into the victim, A stream of bloodshoots out towards the audience and entrails oozedfrom the opening in the victim's stomach, which thesaw blade had made.

At this point members of the audience are invitedup on stage to view the body as it lays on the table.A f t e r this Richiardi thanks everyone for coming tosee the show and the evening of magic is over.

The program runs 2 hours and is certainly worthseeing when in New York City.

NOW BOOKING

ANIMAL, AERIAL, NOVELTY ACTS, CLOWNS and MUSICIANS

April 7 North Adams, MassachusettsMay 6 New Haven, Connecticut

NEED L A R G E A N I M A L ACTS OR T H R I L L ACTS FORA M U S E M E N T P A R K IN R H O D E ISLAND FOR THE FOL-L O W I N G OPEN W E E K S . L I M I T ONE W E E K PER ACT.

June 30 to July 7 OPENJuly 8 to July IS • OPENJuly 16 to July 22 OPENJuly 23 to July 29 - OPENJuly- 30 to Aug. 5 - Coronas Aerial ProductionsAug. 6 to Aug. 12 - Coronas Aerial ProductionsAug. 13 to Aug. 19 - Coronas Aerial ProductionsAug. 20 to Aug. 26 - Coronas Aerial ProductionsAug. 27 to Sept. 3 - Coronas Aerial Productions

A B O V E DATES B O O K E D B Y E D M I G L E Y 4 0 1 - 7 8 1 - 7 1 8 0

— Please Send Pictures and Salary Requested —

STARDUST PRODUCTIONS LTD • P O BOX 36IO • CRANSTON. RHODE ISLAND 02910

Page 10 February 26,1979

IAIN and ORIA DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, authors ofthe book "Among the Elephants" will be attendingthe Elephant Symposium in conjunction with the an-nual Meet of the American Society of Mamalogists a;Corvallis, Oregon, on June 17-21. The program forthat event will include the following speakers andsubjects: JEHESKEL SHOSHANI, Introduction;KENNETH C. WYLIE, Ivory, Elephants and Man;ROBERT C. D. OLIVIER, Ecology and Behavior ofthe Asian Elephant; IRVEN 0. BUSS, ManagementSuggestions for the African Elephant; IAIN DOUG-LAS-HAMILTON, Ecology and Behavior of the Afri-can Elephant.

THE STANEKS, teeterboard act and comedy num-ber, have returned to Circus Circus in Las Vegas af-ter a tour in Europe.

BOB BAKER, puppeteer who conceived many offilmland's special effects, was featured with the"Marionette Varieties" at the 18th annual PacificSouthwest Puppet Festival held in Oakland, Calif,the weekend of Feb. 16-18.

TOP HATSPhone: 912

786 - 5887

Special $49.95 Plus Postage$2.05

A N Y C O L O R WITH YOUR FABRICCollapsible Hats

$69.95 plus2.05 postage

Black Plush Top Hats$75.00 available inNon-collapsible blackonly - Plus Postage

For Further Information Write:

Al-Sue Corp.P.O.Box 1398Tybee Island, Ga.-31328

Send Stamped, Self-Addressed Envelope

FOR SALEMINIATURE HORSE ACT

Six Young Horses

All 34 inches and Under

New Props and Harness

- Very Pretty Act -

In Memoriam

JAMES G. HODGES (65), purchasing agent for theHoxie Bros. Circus for some 20 years, died on Jan.17th at Miami, Fla. Survivors include his sisters MaryKennedy, of Okeechobee, Fla., and Emmie Prosserand Elma Hodges, of Miami. Burial was at WoodlawnPark in Coral Gables, Fla.

SARAH JOSEPH, widow of the late Eddie Joseph,passed away last month in London. In 1952 sheand her husband traveled from India to the UnitedStates and were featured at the annual Abbott'sMagic Get-together in Colon, Mich. Later they wentto England where they made their home.

Worked at State Fair of Texas

in 1978

Phone:

214 - 286 - 4723

WANTEDCARETAKERS for Large Winter-quarters inIllinois Area - Must Like Animals - Idealfor retired couple - Salary and Mobile HomeFurnished.

Contact: JOHN CUNEORte. 1 Box 32 H Grayslake, III. 60030

Phone:312-546-0717

The Circus Report Page 11

Suspect Kills SelfA man belived to be Charles G. Martin, a musician,sought as a suspect in the slaying of bandleader Nor-man Lee and two others, shot himself in a car lot inHouston, Texas. (See CR - Jan. 15, 1979 for a rela-ted story).

Martin had been missing since Lee, his wife. Pat, andtheir publicity man, Bob King, were slain in Lee'shome in Wichita.

The man thought to be Martin, who was charged asbeing the murderer, shot himself with a shotgunmatching the description of the weapon believed tohave been used in the Lee slayings.

According to officials Martin phoned his mother inWichita and told her he planned to shot himself. Itis the easiest way out, he was quoted as saying. Shetold authorities that "he was very mentally upset."

Houston police said Martin stored his car in an autolot the day the bodies were found in the Lee home.Later he paid the storage fee, opened the car trunk,took out the shotgun, placed it to his chin and pull-ed the trigger.

Friends said Martin had worked with Lee's band forabout a year and was constantly arguing over profes-sional problems. He was last seen arguing with Leeafter Lee's wife had refused to dance with him.

N O W B O O K I N G '79

COLONEL SEABRIGHTSWAY POLE

Any Height Up To

148 feet on O U T D O O R R i g g i n g

Any Height Above

45 feet on I N D O O R Rigg ing(No Floor Space Required)

Always the Highest/Contact: Marv in or Peggy Seabright

1051 C h a r m w o o d DriveDallas, Texas • 75211

Phone: 214 - 330 • 6527

LIMITED SUPPLY - SALE"My Wild Life" (Published at $8.95 hardback)

by J. Chipperfield $4.00 p.p.

With above book Free Bonus Gift of 4 Circustickets - Ringling Bros. Flyer.

"The Circus Ship Fire" (soft back) . . $4.oo p.p.30 photos - 16 pages of the Amazing 1963(published 1977) Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros.Circus Fire aboard ship and how all animalswere rescued.

Circus Grab Bag - 1 Herald, 4 Tickets, 2 Cir-cus Flyers and Royal Hanneford CircusPlanet of the Apes flyer $2.00

- All 3 Above just $9.00 p.p. -CIRCUS, P. 0. Box 6131, Monroe, La. 71203

The StarsCalled "America vs. The World Circus Challenge"this year's London Circus Championships were fea-tured on NBC-TV the night of Feb. 13th. The onehour program was filmed under a blue big top withred and white trim, which was said to be the largestcircus tent in Europe.

Hosts for the show were Ed McMahon and GeorgiaEngel. The show's ringmaster/announcer was Nor-man Barrett.

Acts featured in the competition were:

Teeterboard - The Hernandez Troupe and the Boit-chanovi Troupe, from Bulgaria.

Tightwire - De Mille and Jose Luis Munoz, fromSpain.

Trick Riding - The Texas Riders and the VichaelaKaiser Troupe.

Risley - The Six Ashtons and Les Rios, from France

Flying Trapeze - The Flying Cavarettas and TheFlying Osiers, from South Africa.

WANTEDShow Organist or Cordovox player with t *nequipment -Must be good reader - To openMarch 26th - Solid season thru end of Sept.

CHUCK SCHLARBAUM685 Harbor Lane, Key Biscayne.Fla. • 33149

or callEvenings and Weekends 305 - 361 - 5297Days - Monday thru Friday - 416 - 484 -4114

Page 12 February 26.1979

A comment on Dupont's recent statement about thecat acts. Regardless of the public's or fan's being lul-led into "a sense of false security" this securityprevails only when the trainer exits the cage unharm-ed.All take the same risk, every cat, whether they be anold well trained veteran or a young "hot" on possessthe equipment to do damage, and their mood is notentirely predictable so that all trainers take an al-most equal risk.I think that the proper evaluation is in the extent ofthe training of the tricks accomplished, and truly theonly people that are really capable of this judgementare those that are familar with training. I use the wordtrainer in a general term, for if a person presents anact that has been trained by someone else they maytake as big if not bigger risk than the one who brokethe act since they do it day after day.I have heard fans who see an act worked by someoneother than who broke it refer to it in a disparagingmanner.Of course, everyone is entitled to a personal opinion,as is the forgoing mine, and it is also easy to make acomparison, although difficult to make a proper one.

.... Hugo Marquardt

• 1 1 1 i haaAbout 150 showfolks attended the Greater Tampa(Fla) Showman's Association's Memorial Service onFeb. 11th, which included the dedication of the newJune Boyles mausaleum by Carl J. Sedlmayr, Jr. Alsotaking part in the program were: Myldred GordonTrail, organist; Monsigbor McCarthy, invocation; Rev.Ronald A. Turton, sermon; GTSA Ladies Auxiliary,choir; Patty Ann Brown and Marie Carder, candle-lighters; Chaplain Lucinda Crandell and Chaplain W.B. Kourmpates, flower ceremony; Thomas Crandell,,chimes; Rev. Dr. Milt F. Kaufman, benediction, and

'79 PlansKramien, veteran showman and owner of "Magica-zam," reports that 1978 was his biggest year sincegetting into the magic business. Even with a suddencropping up of suit case full evening magic shows,crowds and grosses were bigger and better thanever.

With an advance crew of ten promotion teams, theshow worked at full capacity, with more buy-outsthan in past years. In July the show was featured atthe 50th annual convention of the InternationalBrotherhood of Magicians, and this year the show hasbeen booked again for the annual Abbott's Magic GetTogether in Colon, Mich., and also at the Royal Bri-tish International Magicians "Gala Public Show" inScarborough, England.

The 1979 season officially opened on Feb. 4th atOlympia, Wash., and more dates are planned thisyear than last season. Kramien, and co-owner Kath-leen Lison have on order a new custom 45 foot die-set tractor, also being constructed is a new sleeperfor the crew. In addition a new custom sound truckand advance advertising van have been added. Theshow's former prop semi is being rebuilt for use asa concession truck for the lobby sales. All changesin the rolling stock will be completed by March 15th

Chaplain Wm. B. Kourmpates, eulogy.After the service in Tampa the Traveling Shrine Clubof Royal American Shows inducted several new mem-bers at the Egypt Shrine Temple.The new headquarters for the Shriners, The ImperialShrine Headquarters for North America, is being builtin Tampa and soon the offices will be moved therefrom Chicago.On that same day (Feb. 11) the Independent Show-men held an exhibition complete with rides, booths,travel trailers, ate., at the Gibtown Showfolks Cluband Grounds.

LAWRENCE GRANTTIGERS AND LIONS

NEW PERMANENT ADDRESSP. 0. Box 91Pixley, Cal i f . - 93256Phone: 209-757 -3501

- AVAILABLE -

AFTER JUNE 1 7th

The Circus Report Page 13

BETTY WENDANY'SFUNS'A-POPPINPackage Shows to Fit Your NeedsBox 391, Sunland, Calif. • 91040

(213) 352-4277 (213) 352-2454

byM. L. DUPONT

It's not circus weather by any means, but severaltent circuses are preparing to get with it in the verynear future. March will bring the opening of the newCircus Genoa, owned by John Frazier, the new for-mat of Gopher Davenport's Jungle Wonder Circus,Carson & Barnes Circus - both Circus Genoa and C&B were scheduled fo ra Mar. 17th opening, with theJungle Wonders Circus opening early in the month.Some Florida-based shows will open in March andApril. Routes are being kept secret this year, as showowners don't want anyone to know where they are.

Mike Martin, magician and illusionist, reports hehad a busy winter season with his new spook andthrill show, which was booked by many producers.Mike is planning a full year with some circus dates.He was recently at the Beatty-Cole quarters and re-ports that lots of activity is taking place there.

Hunt's Circus will open as a Circus theme park for'79 instead of going on the road. It isn't known ifthey will continue to play some of their indoor en-gagements, but they were looking for rides for thepark. They are located just outside of Florence,N.J.and will open in the spring.

The Moscow Circus was scheduled to play in Loui-siana (Baton Rouge and Monroe) and already reportsindicate these two spots have been cancelled. Guessthey are still going to play the Texas and Oklahomadates.

The Ringling Circus now has a full time Chaplain,Father David G. Hennessy, who was appointed byBishop Rene Gracida of Pensacola/Tallahassee, whois chairman on migration and tourism of the Nation-al Conference of Catholic Bishops in the U. S. FatherDavid Hennessy will travel with the show people.The former circus elephant Shirley, formerly owned

by Dorey Miller and worked by Bobby Gibbs, was

Would you like to perform inschools?

Send resume and glossies to:

WISCONSIN BUREAU OFLECTURES AND CONCERTS

Tilleda, Wise. - 54978Phone: 715 - 787 - 3300

the subject of a feature story in the Monroe NewsStar-World recently. The full history of Shirley, com-piled by this writer with the help of friends, was thesubject of the story. Shirley still remembers her actand was put through her paces by Ken Benson, win-ter employee at the Louisiana Purchase Garden &Zoo. Shirley was donated to the zoo by Mr. Millerin Sept. 1977 and has done well in retirement. KenBenson has also been the subject of special newsitems. He will leave late this month to join CircusGenoa for the coming season.Tex Dreyfus writes that circus news is nil in Hous-

ton, but he invites all circus fans and performers tocall him or come and visit when in the area. He'd behappy to cut-up jackpots with them and who knowsif you catch him in the right mood it might mean afree lunch. Don't dispare Tex, your area will soon bejumping with circuses of every description.

By the time this appears in print readers will haveseen the "Circus of Champions - America vs TheWorld" TV special. I had planned to review the showas wntten-up in a British paper, but since it has beenon TV this won't be necessary. This is the first timein three years that an American flying act hasn't wnnfirst place. Back in '76 the Rock-Smith Flyers won,in '77 the Flying Terrells took 1st place, while theRock Smith Flyers came in second. Thanks to JimForrest for the most interesting program.

MiscellaneousBLACKSTONE cancelled a scheduled date at Red-ding, Calif., and added an extra day to his San Jose(Calif) engagement next month and now both dayshave been sold out.

JUNGLE WONDERS CIRCUSBox 988, Alamo, Texas 78516 Phone: 512 - 787 - 3110

America's No.1 Magic Show

206-256-6178

The Circus Report Page 15

BOOKS FOR SALETimberline (Sells Floto) $ 8.0CSucker's Progress (Gambling - rare) 25.00Tony Sarge's Marionette Book ... 6.00Animal Personalities by Oerieux .. 5.00

JACK BENNETT322 "B" S.W. Miami, Okla. 74354

KARIN and HAPPY DAVIS visited the Woodcocksand Gaonas on Ringling Blue at Lakeland, Fla., be-fore flying off to Australia for the Evel Knievel ThrillShow tour. They've built a new "Rolls Rotten" com-edy car for the tour.

PERRY H. E. G A R R I S O N , former National Directorof Public Relations for Ringling-Barnum, is now bas-ed in San Francisco where he handles promotions forshows in that area.

WM. G. BALE, circus producer in the mid-west area,is recovering at home from eye surgery.

BOB HAKES will be handling concessions with theMartin & Downs Circus this season.

STAN MULFORD, former Circus Vargas advanceman

AUDITIONSand INTERVIEWS for dressage rider positions tobe held Feb. 15-28, 1979, in Miami, Fla. Top payand good benefits for dressage riders touring withthe Royal Lipizzan Stallions throughout the Uni-ted States and Canada.

Apply to: Arena Productions, Inc., P. 0. Box160547, Miami, Fla. 33116, or call: 305-279-5280.Interviews being held for two weeks to re-castthe 1979 show.

is now National Press Director for the InternationalAll Star Circus.

MURILLO & ULISES, novelty balancing act, will befeatured at the Feb. 28-March 4th Sports Show inOakland, Calif.

LEO COFFEY, who was the late VICTOR JULIAN'Sassistant for many years, plans to carry on the Juliandog act and will present it on various shows duringthe season.

SALLY and MIKE LaTGRRES and their elephant"Stoney" will be again touring with the InternationalAll Star Circus this year.

some open Time

Tommy Hanneford's

Rocket Cannon PetContact: G L E N N P A R K I N S

2621 Hannefo rd Ma l l DriveSarasota, Fla. • 33581

Phone:813 • 921 • 5585813 • 921 • 5586

Page 16 February 26, 1979

- 2 C O M P L E T E C I R C U S E S -

S E L L S & G R A Y K I N G B R O S

Just as coming from the 1978 tour — Fully complete, including title

- P R I C E D F O R Q U I C K S A L E —

Miami Shores, Fla.3 0 5 - 7 5 1 -0206

J O H N N Y C A N O L EAltoona, Pa.8 1 4 - 9 4 4 - 9 3 4 78 1 4 - 9 4 3 - 0 0 0 3

BILLY BARTON (Continued)

Milwaukee, Feb. 22nd and are playing sport shows,spot-dating Hubert Castle, and making the WaynePolice date for SANDY DOBRITCH, also some datesfor Garden-Johnson. They spent the summer in Flor-ida with HEIDI and JIM GROGAN, visited RinglingRed in St. Petersburg and Circus World. Elvira writesthat the performance at Circus world is "very niceand every act is great".. .MIMI ZERBINI PENNEYjoined Int'l All Star.. .CAMILLE O'BRIEN is recup-perating from a broken foot.. .INGE WILLIAMSwill spot date this season .. .PATH R U C K E R willbe with Jubilee On Ice when it opens in late March.. .WIRENGARD created new swords for ETHELJENNIER's Sword Balance number.. .Looks likedaughter JO ANN has finally decided to build onproperty she owns in the Tallahassee area.. .THEKLEMENTIS are enjoying their run in Santo Do-mingo. . .Monte Carlo Circus into Buffalo just aheadof the Shrine Circus.. .Rumors to the contrary, the

Fleckles Circus will produce the St. Louis ShrineCircus in June and are issuing contracts.. .ETHELJENNIER went back into the air when she did webfor M&M.. .All the American acts are back now fromthe Circo Atayde run in Mexico.. .GENE NICHOLSto bi the Beatty show baton master.

THE READERS CORNER: BLOODLINE by Sid-ney Sheldon (Paperback). This book is proof that a"best seller" is created by sheer hype and an author'spast track record. A pot-boiler. Save your money.DITTO: "The Insiders" by Rosemary Rogers, a puer-ile attempt to emulate the late Jacqueline Susannwithout that lady's gift of story-sense. Bornographictrash, pure and simple.

CAPSULE CINEMA: "Moment to Moment" star-ring LILLY TOMLIN and JACK TRAVOLTA. Acourageous attempt to change the image of both starsbut a miserable failure to achieve that aim. Wait untilthey appear in something else - separately.

See you down the road, luw.

The Circus Report Page 17

3L« :i«On Jan. 13th, many members of the Joel E. WarnerTop No. 20, CFA, braved treaturous ice and snowcovered roads to make their way to the I.M.A. Aud-itorium in Flint, Mich., for the annual Shrine Circuswhich was the 1979 debut of the Hubert Castle Cir-cus.

Once inside the auditorium the winter was forgot tenas the group were entertained by the Elf KhurafehShrine Clowns; the Pablo Rodriguez Troupe; TarzanZerbini; The Roberts; The Glorious; The Octavios;Killer Willard; The Riques; The Martinez; The Drou-gettes, Mile. Jacqueline; Rosaire and Tony, the won-der horse; Rafael and the Aerialovelies; Arturo Se-gura; The Flying Lunas; the Cheletis Sisters; the Dill-kas Sisters; The Segura Family; Irene, Tonga & Co.;the Marhal Camels and Llamas; the Maple GroveArabians; Christine's chimps; the Mario Mad Hatters;Ron & Mitzi; the Elkardis and the Hubert CastleCircus elephants.

Col. Lucky Larabee was the ringmaster; Clement E.Toca, directed the band and Gene Randow was theproducing dawn. •

The program book designed by George DaDeppo andproduced by Henry Barrett was sold out. The color-ing books and iron-on transfer, also designed by

JIMMY DIXON and his Magic Circus is being bookedfor the coming season by Amusement Enterprises ofHouston, Texas.

Wl LLIAM J. MCCARTHY has joined Frank B. Hall &Co., amusement insurance brokerage firm, as an ac-count executive in the Amusement Division. At thesame time the company announced that two of itsaccount executives - BARBARA VAN NORMANand TOM BEAR have been promoted within thefirm.

KARRI E KLOWN, of Yuma, Ariz., works birthdayparty dates in her area, then applies all funds rece-ived to chairty work in the area.

SID LORRAINE, a popular author and magician,will receive the 5th annual "Magic AchievementAward" during the March 23-25 "Weekend of Close-up Magic" which will be held in the Catskills, of N.Y

George DaDeppo, sold like hot cakes.

After the circus performance tb» CFA membwt wentto the Museum, Side Show and Cookhouse of Evelynand Dale Riker where they relaxed for a while beforebraving the winter elements as they journeyed home.

Everything from Gorilla Suits, Clown Shoesto Miniature Cars.

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Page 18 Februarv 26, 1979

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The Circus Report Page 19

by SCOTT CAIN, Entertainment Editor

(Reprinted from the Atlanta (Ga) Journal of Feb. 8,1979. The article included some photos).

The circus is back in town and, while the pageantryis lavish as ever, thrills are surprisingly scarce.For one thing several performers who might be ex-pected to appear with this troupe are not here.Conspicuous by his absence is aerial daredevil ElvinBale, who reportedly has been transferred to theMonte Carlo troupe.Animal trainer Benny Williams, the troupe's glamorboy, is not spotlighted and animal trainer CharlyBaumann was missing.As a consequence, the evening's two truly hair-rais-ing routines took place at the end of the perform-ance.The Urias Troupe is a team of motorcycle daredevilswho perform inside a metal cage called the "Globeof Death." They whirl around inside the structure,making upside-down loops as if they were nothingand buzzing constantly within perilous range of eachother. They are a sight well worth seeing.Competing with the Urias Troupe for chills is theKondovi high wire quartet from Bulgari, making

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their first appearance in America. The Kondovi per-form only a handful of stunts, but each one is a sen-sation. The Kondovi open their act with a seeminglyuntoppable feat: A man walks a tightrope while tot-ing a girl on his shoulders, and the girl has a secondgirl standing on her shoulders.The Kondovi's next trick involves a man traversing atightrope while carrying a pole on his forehead, atopwhich is perched a girl. It's really breath-taking.The Kondovi then perform tricks involving wheeledtransport across the wire, but by this time the aud-ience has been reduced to jelly.Notable among other events were the Kehaiovi, agymnastic troupe from Bulgaria, who achieved aseven-person human pyramid. This reportedly isunprecedented.

CIRCUSIANA

Duplicate circus material from one of thegreat circus collections of all time-William "Baraboo Bill" Kasiska will be off-ed soon. Lithos, Route books, Programs andletterheads. Lots more. Send SASE for list.

CIRCUSIANA MART, 2515 DORSET RD.,COLUMBUS, OHIO 43221