6th Year August 1, 1977 Number 31

Investigation PlansThe FBI, The Justice Department and the IRS have joined forces to plant agents

and informants on all circuses, carnivals and fairs, CR learned last week. They want to ob-tain detailed information about who owns what and who operates what, especially flat joints,concessions and other fast money operations.

According to several generally reliableorganized crime is involved with the operationtold CR that "some earth-shaking charges can

Every facet of show business is be-ing looked into in an effort to obtain infor-mation about incomes, expenses and opera-tions. Both the FBI and Justice Dept. ex-pect to obtain hard evidence that will standup in court after their charges are filed.The IRS expects to realize taxes and finesthat will amount to thousands and thous-ands of dollars.

news sources "there is solid evidence thatarid management of many shows." One source

be expected within the year."

Performer HurtA near capacity crowd of 13,000 peoplewatched in horror as high wire performerDaniel Acosta slipped and fell 40 ft. to thefloor of the Forum on July 20th. The acci-dent occured during the evening performance

(Continued on Page 18)

ILEFt JMITED ENGAGEMENTS

HOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTSContact

PAUL V. KAYErth Vine Street • Hollywood, California • 90028Area Code 213 • 462-6001

Page 2 The Circus Report

WANT for '77 FALL TOUR

A N N O U N C E Ra n d

C L O W N S

8 Weeks Minimum GuaranteeFor

K E L L Y B R O S . C I R C U S6106 E. 3 2 n d Place - Suite 103

T u l s a , O k l a . 7 4 1 3 5P h o n e ( 9 1 8 ) 6 6 4 - 7 4 6 0

A Big ShowThe Int ' l Stars of Magic S h o w , presented bythe Pacific Coast Assoc. of Magicians at itsSeattle conven t ion ( J u l y 15) was presentedbefore a sellout crowd. All 1,212 seats weresold out well in advance of the actual shownight , t h a n k s to good advance publ ic i ty .

The show, which ran two hour's and 40 min-utes, featured: Paul Diamond, MC; The Uy-edas, Oriental Trickery; Desmond, Sophisti-cated Sorcerer; Doveno, Dove Magician; TimElliott , mime; Yutaka K ikuch i , Japanese ma-gician and Kramien, fea tur ing "Magicazam"with Kathleen. Music for the program wasdirected by Mildred Stephens.

Show ActsVisited the Circus Hall of Fame last monthand found they had a brand new show anda very in teres t ing one.

The show program includes: Warm-up, DannyChapman worked about 10 minu tes , then:Berosini, mixed animals (l lamas, pony, don-key) ; D a n n y , the Clown; Sarah C h a p m a n ,web; Danny , the Clown; Berosini, j u g g l i n gand audience pa r t i c ipa t i on w i t h a big b a l l ,Clown; Sarah and Danny wi th a w h i p act,followed by in t e rmi s s ion .

The second ha l l of the show fea tu red TheBerosini ponies; I ) a n n > w i t h a dog and pup-pet; Otto Berosini, hand balancing on top oftall ladder; Clown mag ic ; Sarah C h a p m a n ,balance trapeze; Berosim's uncaged t i g e r

. .. Jim SwalTord

Fair ActsActs appearing at the Fulton County Fair inRochester, Ind. , included: Susan Sheryll'sRoyal Afghan Champions; Johnny Laddie,unsupported ladders; Susan Sheryll, record-ing art is t , J ohnny /.oppe's Rhesus MonkeyRevue and Princess Sonja, aerialist. Handlingthe music for the Ju ly 18-23 date was KayeScheiman, w h i l e ( Jer ry Scheiman was incharge of l igh t s and props.

CROWD PLEASERThe program for the Ga t in i Circus now ontour in Canada features: Gary and Zoe AnnHenry, clown and high school horse; ChesterCable, foot juggler ; Winnie McKay, trape/,e;Mr. and Mrs. Tino Zoppe, comedy and singletrapeze (Ol inka) ; The Grimaldis , musical clownnumber; Lucio Cristiani Family, trampoline,leopards and juggling; and Gee Gee Engesserand her elephants.

... Bobby Gibbs

FOR SALECHEVY MOTOR HOME - 27 ft. trailermounted on a 2 ton long chassis RealNice Runs Fine $5950.00

45 ft. COUNTRY SQUIRE 5th WheelTrailer - Lots of cupboards - 3 Axels -2 Bedrooms Light plant Fireplace -2 Air conditioners - Full side awning -Chrome roof rack all around sun deck.

26 ft FOOD TRAILER Opens allaround Lights - Hot water • Fullcounter on one side and rear - Excel-lent for fudge or grab - No equipment.

JOHNNY CANOLE

405 N.E. 102nd StreetMia"<i Shores, r ia . 3 3 1 3 8(30b) 751-0206

7100 Sixth AvenueAl toona, Pa. 16602(814) 944-9347 or(814) 943-0003

August 1, 1977

WALTSFUNDAYCIRCUS

A First Rate Show Presented In A Dignified MannerWholesome, Fun Filled Entertainment

BOOKING NOW!

DOING TWO OR MORE NUMBERS

WILL WORK INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

From April 28, 1978 to September 15, 1978

GUARANTEED SALARY EVERY WEEK

SEND PHOTOS AND SALARY REQUIREMENTS PER WEEK

WILL WORK IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA AREA

INTERESTED? NEED MORE DETAILS?

Contact: Walter G. Stimax, P. 0. Box 442, Arkansas City , Kans. 67005

ROUTESClyde Beatty-Cole Br. Circus

Aug. 1-3 Lockport, N. Y.4-7 Buffalo

Carson & Barnes CircusAug. 1 Paxton, 111.

2 Pontiac3 Dwight4 Lemont5 Lake Zurich

6-7 Milwaukee , Wise.

Circus FantasticThru Sept Santa Clara, Calif .

Gurnee, 111.

Circus KirkAug. 3 Orange, Mass.

5 Winsor6 Springfield, Vt.

Circus VargasAug. 3-7 Point Claire, Quebec

Early American Circusto Aug. 6 San Mateo, Calif.

Funs-A-Poppin Circusto Aug 28 Lion Country Safari,Ca.

Garden Bros. Circusto Aug. 4 Three Rivers, Quebec

Bobby Gibbs Circusto Sept. 11 Baraboo, Wise.

Grxide Early American CircusAug. 1 Tawas, Mich.

2 Mio3 Atlanta4 Onaway

Hall & Christ Circus UniqueAug. 3-7 Cincinnati, Ohio

Tommy Hanneford Circusto Sept. 5 Lake George, N.Y.

Happytime CircusAug. 3-7 Napa, Calif.

Hoxie Bros. CircusAug. 1 Ventor, N. J.

2 Avalon3-4 Ship Bottom

5 Williamstown6 Tuckertown7 New Lisbon

Hoxie's Great American CircusAug. 1 Wooddale, Pa.

2 Grindstone3 Glen Dale, W. Va.4 Caldwell, Ohio5 Crookville6 Reynoldsburg7 West Lafayette

TNT & Royal Olympic CircusAug. 4-7 Mt. Prospect, III.

Karl Wallenda CircusAug. 2 Gulfport, Miss.

5-6 Baton Rouge, La.

King Bros.-Cole Cmbd. CircusAug. 1 Bricktown, N.J.

2 Brigantine3 Sparta4 Narrowsburg, N. Y.5 Sparrows Bush6 West Haverstraw7 Greenwood Lakes

Martin & Downs CircusAug. 1 Dunnville, Nfld.

2 Trepassey3 Conception Bay4 Wabana5 Carbonear6 Bay Roberts

Ringling-Barnum • Blue UnitAug. 2-3 Abilene, Texas

5-7 Lubbock

Ringling-Barnum - Red UnitAug. 4-15 Anaheim, Calif.

Sells & Gray CircusAug. 1 Grayling, Mich.

2 Alpena3 Boyne City4 Graun5 Lansing6 Mt. Pleasant7 Saginaw

John Strong CircusAug. 2-3 Des Moines, Iowa

4-5 Omaha, Nebr.6-7 Kansas City

J Outstanding| Feature

Acts!

WONDER BEARS4>»J willPRESENTED BY REX HORTON 4 UIf fill ill M If

302 17th St. |San Diego

Calif. 92101 |(714)238-1375 J

_._.-._.*

Page 5

BILLY BARTON • •STRUPPI HANNEFORD was clawed in the backand chest during a rehearsal with a second ro l lovertiger. Stitches were required to close the wounds. Ispoke with the wild animal trainer-star hours afterthe accident and Struppi said she felt lousy butthat she'd survive (typical of Struppi). Tommy saidit could have been much worse, she might havebeen clawed in the face. The Hannefords are nowat Lake George for the summer where KAY RO-SAIRE is also performing. Tommy comments thatKay's act is excellent, that she has added the 'headin the lion's mouth/

RAY VALENTINE, Jr. has fully recovered fromthe broken collarbone suffered on their openingdate of the season, is back doing the blindfoldtriple in the act. TONY STEELE is also flyingwith the Valentines GUNNAR AMANDIS newhigh wire act sensation (two boys formerly withRBBB) is scary. They're called the SCHMIDT-AL-BULET DUO IAN GARDEN is producing theCincy Shrine date in 1978 Understand Mr. Her-mann (of the Lipizzan Stallion show currently atGreat Adventure) is ill But on the mend andback at work is young ARTOS ZAMPERLA (en-gaged, by the way, to TINA PALACIO) who brokehis wrist, hand, fingers, some ribs and fractured a

•hip when he missed the double somersault fromteeterboard to running horse. A bone was graftedfrom his upper right arm to his right wrist. Unbe-lievably, young ARTOS was walking around just afew short weeks after the fall....Ah! the constitu-tion of the very young! The SCOTTS have alsocome in for their fair share of bad breaks:G E O R G E was kicked in the face by a mule, andTINA fell from a swing breaking her leg in twoplaces. VIVIAN came on to help the family.

SNAPSHOTS: Dashing young CHRISTOPHERJAMES is the MOST exciting tight wire artist sincethe legendary CON COLLEANO. Look for this ladto go places. He's marvelous! KIM KRISTENSENis celebrating Xmas early when the "ornament ofhis eye" Miss ANGEL NOEL visited the youthfulequestrian in Florida LILLI & SVEND, with on-ly 6 days off, darted home in a rush to look overtheir new house (and possibly their bank account)....Our dear friend MARY JO COULS has been va-cationing with HINES & PATTI RUCKER on theNordraerk All Star, was feted by the Couls CFA

Tent in Indianapolis....Sidewall SYD is prop bossand assistant to CHESTER CABLE on Cirque Ga-tini....GEORGE & ANNE HUBLER caught Puck'sCircus on a recent trip to Toronto.

QUICKIES: VICKI HANNEFORD is breaking pret-ty BELINDA AMANDIS for one-arm swings...SlickVALENTINE is producing a series of Police spon-sored dates in Texas this fall. Slick purchased'thelighting equipment that TRISKA owned and rentedout....Understand MOGODOR CRISTIANI is pro-moting the dates....Rumor has it that Uncle SIDKELLNER is back east promoting dates....The Loy-al Repensky-John Robinson CFA Tent tossed a ga-la picnic between shows for the HUBLER INT'LCIRCUS, on Saturday, July 9th. It was a cateredaffair....Fire laws, so stringent since the BeverlyHills Club fire, caused Atlantic City (NJ) officials

'to nix the erection of the Hanneford Family Cir-cus Big Top on the Steel Pier. The show is work-ing open air. Seems whenever we experience a firedisaster the bigwig bureaucrats go gungho and getover-zealous. Too much, as usual, too late!

TIDBITS: That delightful fragrance .emanating fromLILLI KRISTENSEN's leopard "Palace" is createdby an electric dispenser spraying - are you ready?- Chanel No. 5 over her pussycats!....The YOUNGTROUPE (doing a nice teeterboard act, incident-ally) showed me fantastic posters used by STAR-DUST CIRCUS which were made in Italy...JO ANNJENNIER lost two days and $500 bucks whenthe rear end in her seal truck went kaput...Windswere so fierce on day in July, Bill Hill couldn'tget the Hoxie G-A top into the air.....On the sameday the SELLS & GRAY big top blew down (Awelcome to the club, kids!).

REPORT FROM FAMOUS HUNT: MARY WISE,of clown alley, pens that one of the 3 femmejoeys, packed her cannon, her saw-horse, and toakoff. Mary and the remaining girl clown are doingthe washwoman but...."You can't say we're indrag, can you?" (Guess not)....Master N O R M A NMILLER has added new routines to his trapezeact....BOB OWENS departed Hunt, is now withGreat American....After some terr ible weeks withno help the show has a full crew, trucks are inrunning order, show is moving well - up by noon,loaded by midnight. Mary adds she is doing a solo

(Continued on Page 16)

Page 6 The Circus Report

ROUTESWenatchee Youth Circus

to Aug. 7 Portland, Oregon

• - - OTHER ROUTES - - -

Century 21 Shows - Blue UnitAug. 2-7 Chippewa Falls, Wise.

Century 21 Shows - Red UnitAug 5-14 Springfield, Mo.

CMB Lot GatheringAug. 1-5 Indiana, Pa.

James H. Drew Showsto Aug 6 Valparaiso , Ind.

Foley & Burk Showsto Aug. 6 San Mateo, Calif.

Magic Time USA - Prof. MillerAug. 2 Newcastle, Ohio

3 Van Wert4 E. Lansing, Mich.6 Monroe7 Wayne

Royal Lipizzan StallionsAug. 5 Langley, B. C.

6-7 Vancouver

James E. Strates ShowsAug. 1-6 Clearfield, Pa.

The Ice ShowAug 5-Sept 2 Los Angeles, Calif.

This Is Hawaii . . . On IceAug. 1-7 Nagasaki, Japan

Tip Top ShowsAug. 3-7 Green Lake, Wise.

BETTY WENDANY'SFUNS A-POPPINPackage Shows to Fit Your Needs

Box 391, Sunland, Calif. - 91040(213) 352-4277 (213) 352-2454

Aliens Hitch RideThe arrival of the circus train at San Diego ~(RBBB Red Unit) brought that city morethan wild animals and performers. Local au-thorities arrested 10 aliens who had hiddenin one of the circus cars, captured some withhandcuffs and destroyed a crop of marijuanafound while searching for other aliens.

A Santa Fe Railroad official said there were13 aliens who were discovered by securityguards as they checked the train near Paci-fic Highway in Old Town. He said the cir-cus train came in from Phoenix by way ofColton.

When the aliens were found they started torun. Two were stopped in the railroad yard,but escaped as police went after others. Onewas captured on a nearby airport runway. Anofficial said there may have been more than10 aliens, but that is all that were caughtand turned over to authorities for deporta-tion to Mexico.

Richard Foote, a border patrol supervisor,says railroad cars are the most popular meansof transportation for aliens. "For that reasonwe check trains as often as possible."

No one knows just where the aliens camefrom. They may have gotten aboard the showtrain after coming across the border fromTijuana, thinking they were heading for LosAngeles. On the other hand they could havegone aboard the train at any of several smallcommunities between Phoenix and San Diego.

WANTEDFor The Hanneford Circus

Riggers, Diesel Drivers, Prop Boys, Grooms,Tiger Attendants, Fall Tour starts Sept. 1st.

Still need a few more acts.' Write or Call:

HANNEFORD CIRCUS, INC.Storytown U. S. A.

Lake George, N. Y. - 12845Phone: (518) 792-3430- (No Collect Calls) -

August 1, 1977 Page 7

O U R S I N C E R E T H A N K S T O

M I C H E L G A T I E N

OF

CIRQUE

GATINICIRCUS

FOR Y O U R P U R C H A S E OF Y O U R

NEW 90 ft . x 170 ft . BIG TOP

EAF TENT & SAIL, INC.

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Designers and builderj of C I R C U S BIG TOPS & CANVAS SPECIALTIES

Page 8 The Circus Report

AVAILABLEFor Select 1977 Bookings

JEFFRIES CALIFORNIA SEA LIONSJust r e t u r n e d f rom C i r c u s J a p a n 1977

E x c e l l e n t P r e s e n t a t i o n — Profess iona l — Re l i ab le

- NOW B O O K I N G FOR 1978 S E A S O N -

»- «Contac t : J . C O U T Z9000 Beechy AvenueA r l e t a , Cal i f . - 91331

P H O N E :(213) 767-5080

THE DAVIDE ZOPPE Family is playingdates in Canada and will tour with the Hu-bert Castle Circus in 1978.

CHARLES and LEE MOVER were strandedfor a few days during a Hoxie Great Amer-ican Circus move when their giant ape showtruck broke down.BLACKIE ESCALANTE is working on a TVpilot film called "Spiderman". He had tohave his head shaved for the part.

WANTLARGE GORILLA SUIT

Must be good quality

If you have one CALL COLLECT

(714) 862-8328

MARGIE and TEX MAYNARD, musicians on;leave from King Bros. Circus, filled in forHoxie's Great American Circus for a coupleof shows when the show organist DAVEMILLER broke his ankle.

SPARKY and DOT, clowns, are working atthe Allentown, Pa., Fair for its Aug. 5-13engagement.

JOE FRISCO's Pet Zoo and Mini Circus wasfeatured at the Peoria, 111., Fair last month,playing there July 15-23.

KDDIE VENTURA recently visited the Cir-cus World Museum in Baraboo where he wasbusy inspecting the old Aut Swenson carsdisplayed there.

EDDIE HOWE, former Ringling press agent,recently returned from visiting his youngerbrother (Major DAVID HOWE, USMC) inSpain. David was once a show treasurer be-fore joining the Marines. Eddie has resumedhis road publicity work in advance of suchmajor films as "Rocky" and "Taxi Driver."He will also be out ahead of the movie "ABridge Too Far."

August 1, 1977 Page 9

New TeamBilly Barton and Ethel Jennier are teamingup for the 1978 season and will package thePrince Najvez, Aztec aerial act with fireworksfinale with Ethel's leaping greyhound dog'act for Fairs and circus dates. The team isactually a trip, including Bobby Davis, cur-rent assistant for Najvez, who is also proper-ty master on most engagements, and whowill' work; in both acts. Miss Jennier will"flash" the Najvez act and Barton will alsoassist Miss Jennier in her dog act.

Under contract to Barton, (who is her man-ager) Jo Ann Jennier, daughetr of Ethel, willbe sent to other show dates with her Aerial-etta trapeze thriller, and Jo-Ann and Sunnyseal act. Where possible the two units will bebrought together on certain dates.

Miss Jo Ann Jennier (Aerialetta) is alreadyunder contract to Royal Hanne ford, EmmettKelly, Jr., and Circus Odyssey for the latterpart of 1977 and the spring of 1978.

Ethel's Greyhounds and the Aerialetta com-bination are set for Christmas shows withEmmett Kelly, Jr., booked by Miss RoseAdair, of New York.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS IN AND OUT OFTHE COUNTRY SEND PHOTOS ANDRESUME ALONG WITH AVAILABILITYAND ROUTING TO:

SUNCOASTBOOKING, INC,

525 Treasure Boat WaySarasota, Fla. - 33581

Phone: (813) 349-8760

ETHEL LUCKEY, organist at the CircusWorld Museum, is playing with her left footin a cast. She broke her ankle on July 10thafter slipping on wet grass. On July 14th,everyone at the Museum hosted a birthdayparty for Ethel.

MILT ROBBINS and WARD HALL visitedFranzen Bros. Circus last month and reportthe show was doing good business.

THE RITO BROTHERS, trampoline, unicycleand juggling act, are with the Gran CircoAmericano in Peru (July 22-Sept. 4). Theywill return to the States in time to play theTexas Shrine dates.

HARRY CHIPMAN has just been presentedwith his 30 year pin from the Elks Club.

PAUL MALVERN, one of the Original Mal-vern Troupe of acrobats, was recently pre-sented with a 50 year pin by his MasonicLodge.HARRY GRAHAM, news editor and syndi- ,cated columnist of the Santa Ana (Calif.)Register, is co-authoring a book on the lifeof TITO GAONA, due for publication some-time next year.FRANK PANISKO, famed Montana circusfan who is known as "Mr. Butte" spent aweek in Southern California after attendinghis grandson's high school graduation atCamarillo, where his daughter lives. Frank isanxious to get major circuses into Butte forthe coming season.

THANK YOUJOHNNY WALKER

Concession Mgr. Hoxie Bros. Circusfor the purchase of a Yellowstone

trailer for your wife, Alice

"SAVE MONEY WITH JOHNNY"

JOHNNY CANOLE

465 N.E. 102nd StreetMiami Shores, Fla. 33138(305) 751-0206

7100 Sixth AvenueAltoona, Pa. 16602(814) 944-9347 or(814) 943-0003

I'age iu The Circus kepon

IT'S NEW: Elkhart , Indiana Y . M . - Y . W . C . A .STARTS S E P T E M B E R 1977

ELKHART Y CIRCUS SCHOOL(Indiana)

L E A R N - J U G G L I N G , U N I C Y C L E , T U M B L I N G , R O L L Y P O L L Y ,

C R A D L E , T E E T E R B O A R D , H A N I ) B A L A N C I N G , D U O A C R O B A T I C S ,

W I R E W A L K I N G , T R A P E Z E , C L O W N I N G , R O L L I N G G L O B E S ,

P E R C H P O L E , C O N T O R T I O N . .

- F L Y I N G T R A P E Z E -

TONY STEELE 1 , 2250 Cassopolis S t r ee t , E lkha r t , Ind

*

First " t r iple and a ha l f back s o m e r s a u l t ( f l y i n g t r apeze ) Tony Steejeto Lee S ta th M a r i l e e s - D u r a n g o , Mex ico , Sep t . 30, 1962."

E x t r a c t f r o m G u i n n e s s Book o f W o r l d R e c o r d s :

An error appeared in my column of July 18regarding the Dixiana Circus now owned byPeter Luvas. The original item on that showwas not the ticket wagon, but a ticket standThe stand, a knock-down, three sided box,war on the old Gentry Bros. Circus.

This reporter spent 8 days in New Orleansand took in a Friday night performance ofRBBB's Blue Unit at the Superdome. Attend-ance seemed to be well over 20,000, usingthe basketball seating arrangement, whichgave most patrons a good view of the show.Local TV and news coverage was very heavyfor the circus, with articles appearing almostdaily. Stories included those about KennethFeld and Chappie Fox.It was a surprise to see the show's featureattraction, Michu, with his right arm in acast. We were unable to learn what happen-ed, but the cast didn't imped Michu's ap-pearance in the wedding spec. However, hedid not appear in other parts of the show.

Tim Hoist, ringmaster and assistant perform-ance director, announces the show in clownmake up, wearing a unique costume. Theshow features more clown numbers than inthe past, but this writer could only recogni-ze Prince Paul and Mark Anthony from pre-vious years.The Blue Unit's jump into New Orleans wasa 24 hour run from Dallas, with the trainarriving at 4 a.m. on July 13th. More than2000 people were on hand to watch the ele-phants walk from the train to the building a-distance of only a few blocks.This reporter is not a predictor of things tocome and I really missed the boat on mypredictions about the Beatty Circus. How-ever, I'll go out on the limb to make twopredictions: Parley Baer will continue towork on circuses, despite his announcementat the CFA Convention. I think you will beseeing his name connected with a "bigger"show soon. Bill Stebbing will find the indoorcircus is a different operation than his out-door show has been, but it will be a success-ful venture for him. A name change is due!

M. L. Dupont

APPEARING JUNE 18 THRU LABOR DAYin

CIRCUS FANTASTICat

Marriott's Great AmericaSanta C l a r a , C a l i f o r n i a

•fr Danny Castoldi •&•b Becky Clark •&•b Chuck Craw •&

•b Glenn Duncan -b•b K a r l Krause -b

ir Darre 11 Medley ^r•b Fran Serrao -b

• JUGGLING • WEB • BALANCE PERCH • UNI CYCLE •• GERMAN GYM WHEEL • TEETERBOAPL* •

• HIGH WIRE • FLYING TRAPEZE . •

Page 12 The Circus Report

VisitorsVisitors at the Circus World Museum, in Bar-aboo, Wise., this past month have included:Gary Davison, of Minneapolis; Jim Shields,of Rhode Island; Bill Brinley, of Conn.; TheLodi Duo, aerialists; Patches & Checkers,clowns with Garden-Johnson Circus; Emiland Debbie Goetchi, of the Great AmericanCircus Directory; Walt Hohenadel, editor ofthe CFA's White Tops and a lot of othershow folks and fans.

.... Bobby Gibbs

INFO SOUGHTSeveral prominent circus troupers would liketo learn where and what became of the mostwell-known of all female circus press agents,Floree Gait. She was originally hired as amember of Cole Bros. Circus Press Dept. byCol. Zack Terrell in the 1940's, where she re-mained through that show's demise in 1950.

Originally from London, Ontario, Canada,she gained nationwide press attention for her-self and Cole Bros. Circus by being the firstwoman press agent for a major circus.

Anyone knowing where Floree is or what be-came of her can notify Circus Report.

Information is also wanted on the where-abouts of James Gephart, longtime managerof Cole Bros. Adv. Car No. One and in itslater years the show's General Agent.

Former and present troupers would like tocontact Miss Gait and Mr. Gephard, if some-one can supply their whereabouts.

WANT TO BUYCenter Ring High Line Animal Actfor 1977 or 1978 season. Must be .in excellent condition and completewith props.

Send pictures and information im-mediately to:

J. KOUTCZ9000 Beechy AvenueArleta, Calif. 91331

MiscellaneousRoberts Bros. Circus made the 14 mile voy-age across Chesapeake Bay to Tangier Islandaboard the fishing vessel "Anthony Cline."

The 1978 P.C.A.M. Convention will be heldat the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles onJune 29-July 2. Information is available fromEd Alterman, 20126 Itasca St., Chatsworth,Calif. 91311.

Christening ceremonies for the new EarlyAmerican Circus big top were covered by thelocal TV camera crews and then featured onlast week's late news in the San Franciscoarea.

The Moscow State Circus is scheduled to be-gin its 1977 fall tour of the U'.S. at Chicagoin September.The Early American Circus, featured at theSan Mateo (Calif.) Fair (July 25-Aug. 6) pre-sented two shows each weekday with threeon Saturdays and Sundays.

Several circus fans have expressed a desire toorganize a tent to be called "William 'Bill'Moore", named for the Uttte circus GeneralAgent and Legal Adjuster who was a closefriend and confidente to Clyde Beatty.

LET OUR ART DEPARTMENT DESIGNYOUR PERSONALIZED BUSINESS CARDS,STATIONERY, BROCHURES, etc.

SUNCOASTBOOKING, INC,

525 Treasure Boat WaySarasota, Fla. - 33581

Phone: (813) 349-8760

'ugust 1, 1977 Page 13

CONTRACTING AGENTFOR TENT CIRCUS

Booking Sponsored Dates

Contact: GORDON WALSH6106 E. 32nd PlaceTulsa, Okla. 74145

Phone: (918) 664-7460

ournJuggler/Unicyclist Ken Sherbune visited withJim Stutz and the Dionne Family when theBeatty-Cole Circus played New HampshirePat and Mary Bissonette are heading for Min-nesota late this summer Ethel Jennier hasadded two more greyhounds to her act....TheMcCloskys are sporting a new motorhome inaddition to their Cadillac and Airstream trai-ler.

Recently King Bros, had to switch to cassetetapes for music after Jerry Maas' organ brokedown. All went well until the web displayfeaturing the head balancing trapeze. The mu-sic started with the Romeo and Juliet Theme,•then quickly switched to a swinging Swanee

Mike Naughton

DAVE SLUSSER (Hi Ho, the Clown) plansto be back on the road in February withtwo new acts.DON and ROXY ENGESSER are appearingnightly at the Riverside Restaurant in Bran-ford, Fla., with their show the "WesternWild Cats Band and Show."

ATTENTION!ROBERTS BROS. CIRCUS (Bob andDoris Earl) - Please call me collect. Ineed your locations for the first weekin August.FRED MENKE (312)824-7776

Show FeaturesBusiness for the Carson & Barnes Circus inthe Washington.DC area has been very good,with the show drawing mostly full and SROhouses for each performance.

The show is featuring three f ly ing acts —Avilas, Butestias, Paudillas. They work at thesame time and present some of the fastest10 minutes or so of f lying that can be seenanywhere. By the time they are back on theground the audience is really giving them anovation.

Another feature of the circus performance isthe show's herd of 34 elephants, with fiveacts work ing at one time. The finish trick isthe long mount with 24 elephants. Beforetoo long it is expected that all 34 elephangswill take part in this number.

Several plans are already underway for theupcoming year, including a three principalriding display, a big display of bear acts anddog acts and a full five rings of liberty hor-ses. The show's big 10 piece band is also ex-pected to be expanded.

MICHAEL BURKh. ^xecutive vice president'and director of Madison Square Garden, was"head man" of .iBBB in 1955, appointed byJohn Ringling North.

FOR SALEJust a few left! Famous pink King Bros.

heralds (1954) dated Providence, R.I.$4.00

Rare pictorial 1926 tack cards HertageBros. Circus, dated Grand Junction.These are rough, but real treasures.

$8.00Half sheet pictorial Burlingame Circus,

about last wagon show in W. Va.$6.00

FREE ! An extra pictorial with orders of$18.00 or more.

DOC MILLERRte. 3, Box 323-C, Starke, Fla. 32091

Page 14 The Circus Report

S & G in OhioSponsored by the Rotary and Booster Clubsthe Sells & Gray Circus gave a 4:30 and 8p.m. performance at New Lebanon (Ohio)on July 18th. The temperature was 90 plusas the heat wave continued to hover overmost of the eastern part of the country.

The show is traveling on 14 trucks, plus anumber of private vehicles. Two trucks havethe Side Show banners painted on them andthey are used to form one side of the mid-way. Other midway units include the ticketoffice, souvenir stand, concessions and ponyride. The animal trailer is spotted inside theside show.

The big top is an old one, their new onehaving been lost in a recent storm. As a re-sult the top shows signs of wear. The over-all layout "ooks good and it is a good cir-cus performance.

The program here featured: Overture withlive music by the Parker Duo (organ anddrums); Billy Earl, ringmaster; Three girlson web; Marie France, Yorkshire Terriers;Antonia Trio, perch; The Clowns (Spiffand Michael) in Tug-0-War; Mile. Moizes,rola bola; The Zuranies, rola bola and theMarlene & Co. rola bola act; Michael, theclown magician; Mimi Zerbini, trapeze; theclowns, ; bigger balloon; The Great Moizes,tight wire.

After intermission were: Billy Earl and Sa-brine, sword balancing; The Antoys, acroba-tic balancing; Wilma and Blanca, swinging lad-ders; Clowns, the watermelon; Juggling dis-play with Marie Cristine, Sampion, GreatMichael; Bonnie & Clyde, musical clowning;The Estrado's, teeterboard; Gary Thomas andMiss Wilma, elephants.

Show visitors included George Hubler andMel Miller. Don Sandman

Federal Judge Malcolm Littlefield has sug-gested that not more than 170 polar bears,3000 Pacific walruses and 3000 sea otters bekilled each each by Alaskan hunters. Theselimitations, he said, will not threaten thesurvival of the species.

TONY AGUILAR and his "Festival MexicanoRodeo" were at the Sports Arena in LosAngeles July 29-31. Prices for the show rang-ed from $4.00 to $7.00

STEVE BAKER (Checkers) and GARY RAY(Patches), popular circus clowns, were pictur-ed on the front page of the Casper (Wyom)Star-Tribune on June 23rd.

GARY HOLVECK, illusionist, is featured atWilliams Grove Park (Allentown, Pa.) wherehe does two half hour shows each day.

CLARE CUMMINGS (Milky, the Clown) wascalled out of retirement for three benefitshows for the Jaycees at Berkeley, Mich.,earlier in the year.

BELO NOCK, the 8 year old clown, was oneof five clowns appearing with the Denver(Colo) Shrine Circus. His uncle is the famousSwiss clown PIO NOCK.

DICK WILSON, known as Mr. Whipple inthe please don't squeeze the Charmin com-mercials on TV, worked in vaudeville as anacrobatic drunk on a tightwire.

MURILLO & ULISES, balancing act, werefeatured in the stage show at the San Mateo(Calif.) Fair July 26-31. Appearing on thesame show were singer ANDY RUSSELL andpiano player JO ANN CASTLE.

The major Los Angeles area newspapers car-ried no mention of RBBB's Red Unit open-ing in the Forum on the show's opening day,but all papers carried the photo of a CircusVargas elephant being washed at a car washin Toronto.

The City Council at Bedford (N.H.) complet-ly reversed itself and refused to allow theBeatty-Cole Circus to play at its local mall.In a last minute move the circus set up atthe Manchester airport

A living two-faced calf has been added tothe Circus Vargas menagerie. Named "Prin-cess" the new arrival has two noses, twomouths and a sweet disposition.

August 1, 1977 Page 15

TRAINED AND PRESENTED BY

DION YOUNGFOR P A R K S , F A I R S and C I R C U S E S in 1978

Completely Professional W i t h Al l New Equipment

- 1977 Season With Carson & Barnes Circus -•

For Information and Photos Please Write To:

DION Y O U N G , Box J , Hugo, Okla . 7 4 7 4 3

Show PicketedMembers of the Musician's Union in Oakland(Calif .) picketed the Royal Lipizzan StallionShow at the Coliseum because the show wasusing taped music instead of a live band.The horse show — presented by Arena Pro-ductions — has used an orchestra composedof Local 8 members in the past. As many as25 musicians have worked with the show atOakland and San Francisco in previousyears, said one union member.

GLENN MOL, publicity director for the LosAngeles (Calif.) Sports Arena, says he hasbeen negotiating wi th a major circus in hopesof bringing the show into the Arena for along spring or summer engagement,

WALLY NAGHTIN, bear trainer on CircusVargas, is now presenting a group of 14bears in the show's opening number. His sonWALLY, Jr., recently flew into New YorkCity with a bear cub for an appearance onTV's "To Tell The Truth" show.

DIAMOND JIM PARKER (personal secretaryto showman CLIFF VARGAS) is kept busydoing advance clowning for special dates aswell as maintaining the show's office wagon.

ROBERT STACK, film and TV star, was the"Honorary Ringmaster" for Ringling-BarnumCircus at the Forum on June 19th. Otherstars appearing in the show's spec that even-ing were: Rosemary Bowe Stack, Elizabeth

Park FeaturesThe local amusement park (Dorney Park) atAllentown, Pa., has a very fine zoo with an-imals presented by Bob and Ralph Dietch.These two fellows are the ones who tookcare of the RBBB animals and cages whenthat show got out of the menagerie businessand only used the animals at Madison SquareGarden. They have an animal farm at FairLawn, N.J., and there is an old Ringling wa-gon at the park.Coco, the Clown and his family are also atthe park. They roam about the facilities andalso present a half hour show in the openair theatre. His young son, Coconut, does agreat job on stilts.

The James A. Bailey Ring No. 35, held aneast coast model builders display at the park(July 19-24) with some 110 model buildersparticipating. In addition to the miniature dis-plays there was a calliope concert, clownmake-up sessions, wood carving demonstra-tions and a parade of 3/4 size wagons eachda> .. Bill Slenker

Stack, Jay Stewart, Steve Forrest, The KeaneBrothers, Jo Ann Pflug, John Amos, Vachonand Nicole, Jim Bacon, Dody Goodman, JackOakie, Jonathan and Melissa Gilbert, Ciji Ware,Scoey and Clara Mitchell, Wes Parker, MaryAnn Mobley, Gary Collins, Rosie Grier, Gloriade Haven, Peter Marshall, Lee Meriwether,Anson Williams, Robert Conrad, Sally Struth-ers, Willie Shoemaker, Courtney Arcaro, JedWeitzman, Henry Winkler, Donny and MarieOsmond.

Page 16 The Circus Report

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ROD WAINWRIGHT and family spent sever-al days with Hoxie's Great American Circusand sends a "Big Thank You" to everyoneon the show.

ANGELA WILNOW is playing fairs in NewYork State and New England for the rest ofthe summer. Her bookings were handled bythe Al Martin Agency, Wes Oler Agency andVariety Attractions.

CARL BECK, magician, has put an all newmagic act together with many outstandingillusions. He plans to use two black panthersin one production number.

DAVID STARR, CFA from Seattle, visitedthe Wenatchee Youth Circus this month andreports he enjoyed their show.

GEORGE HANNEFORD, Jr. and membersof his Hanneford Family Circus are picturedin the new Steel Pier program book. Thecircus is a summer feature at the Atlantic

•City attraction.

DOROTHY HERBERT is visiting friends inFlorida, including MILONGA CLINE andMARJORIE and DAVID HACKETT.

BILLY BARTON (Continued)

juggling turn wherein she eats apples while tossingthings. "The audience loves it," she says, "and I'venever been more regular."

Seen working concessions in Cincy were FREDDIESCHMIDT (Becky his a concession unit on fairs),BOB GRAY and HARRY MILLS, coming in fromErie where he parked his FLYING ESPANAS, wasmaking the book pitch.. . .GUNNAR AMANDIS re-ports an excellent first year with their new book-ing agency, but raised heck with me because I ne-ver "mention" his name, so ... GUNNAR AMAN-DIS, GUNNAR AMANDIS, GUNNAR AMANDIS,Gun

See you down the road, luvs.

The GUTIS FAMILY spent some time athome and on Club dates while their sonPETER played Goal keeper with the Hilton"Eagles" Soccer Team and Dad CHARLEShelped with the coaching. They are now onthe fair circuit where they will continue un-til the end of October. They will be appear-ing at the Monroe County Fair (Henrietta,N.Y.), State Fair (Des Moines, Iowa), theBig E (W. Springfield, Mass), plus fairs atTopsfield, Mass, and Montgomery,j4la.

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August 1, 1977 Page 17

Acts appearing with the Emmett Kelly, Jr.,Circus at Concord, Calif. (June 11) were:Earl Tegge, ringmaster; Fay Snyder, dogs/mixed animals; Heidi Wendany, pony/horse/juggling/ dogs; David Linden, balancing/spin-ning plates; The Knupps, cradle/trapeze; Pe-pi Martinez, rola bola/high wire; LancelotLink Chimps; Tim Tegge, drums; LinwoodFagt, trumpet.

Appearing with the Kelly show at ClevelandHeights, Ohio (July 4) were: Kent Clayton,ringmaster/ropes/whips; The Commancheros,cradle; Lilli Ana, leopards; Dick Franco, jug-gling; The Rents, balancing; Doubleday & Co.revolving ladder; and the Marcos, rola bola.

Acts on the July 21st engagement With theKelly show (Wallingford, Conn.) were: MarcoPolo, sword balancing; Andre & Bunny, wire;Scalzo & Co., magic/illusions; Cowboy JoePhillips and the dancing horse "Golden Mist";Jerry Lipko Chimps, Phillips wonder dogs;The Cyclonians, unieycles and Charlie VanBuskirk, ringmaster.

Acts set for the Aug. llth engagement ofthe Kelly Circus (Cohasset, Mass.) are thesame as shown above for July 21st, exceptthat Marco Polo will not be on the bill.

Acts set thus far for the Kelly show date atLouisville, Ky. (Aug. 18-28) include: TheAshtons; The Claytons, ringmaster/ropes/whips/balancing; The Smahas, horses; Car-!men Del Molino, trapeze; Hunkie Johnsonbears, Tony Steele, sponge dive; The FlyingValentines; Vashek, wire/aerial motorcycle.

Acts set for the Kelly show engagement atBrentwood, L.I. (Aug. 30-Sept. 5) are: PatAnthony, wild animals; Vashek, wire/aerialmotorcycle; The Cyclonians, unieycles; TonySteele, sponge dive; The Flying Valentines;The Smahas; The Ashton Family; CharlieVan Buskirk, ringmaster.

MILT ROBBINS at 83 is probably the old-est active showman on the road. He handlesthe door for a Hall & Christ Show. Milt wasbom in Bridgeport, Conn. (Oct. 16, 1893)when his father, F.RANK A. ROBBINS, wasmanager for the Bob Hunting Circus.

IF YOU WANT THE JOB DONE RIGHT!

CARL E.CONLEY(30 YEARS IN CIRCUS BUSINESS)

JUGGLING-LIBERTY HORSE ACT

ANNOUNCER

'77 SEASON WITH ROYAL BROS. CIRCUS

# # * # * * * *

A-1 CONCESSION MGR. and SIDE SHOW MGR.

Year Round Address: 2635 Norton Road Kent, Ohio 44240

Page 18 The Circus Report

Big John's ShowThe Big John Strong & Son Circus is doinggood business as it moves through the mid-western states. When seen at Oregon (Ohio)on July 19th, the show had capacity crowdsfor each performance.

Big John is capably assisted by his son JohnJr. and a troupe of some 35 youthful andenthusiastic performers. In addition to hisjuggling and balancing acts, John, Jr. managesthe side show. He does the outside bally,plus sword swallowing, fire eating, magic,lecturing, etc.

One thing Big John asked me to do was ex-press his gratitude to Leaf Tent & Sail, Inc.,who made his big top. It recently withstood85 mph tornado winds. The top looks asgood now as whei. it first went into the air.

George DaDeppo

PERFORMER HURT (Continued)of the Ringling-Bamum Circus at Inglewood(Calif.) just before intermission time.

Acosta's fall was broken when he landed onan usher, who was standing in the aisle be-tween the first two rows of seats. Witnessessaid the usher (George Hoppe) was apparent-ly unaware of what was happening unt i l hewas hit. It was also reported that a long bal-ancing pole fell into the crowd and injured a13 year old girl.

Paramedics rushed Acosta to the CentinelaValley Hospital where his condition was list-ed as "serious". A hospital spokesman saidthe performer suffered a broken right elbow,a broken pelvis, cracked ribs and a rupturedspleen.

Death At ZooAn elephant attacked a man cleaning the an-imal quarters at Audubon Park Zoo (NewOrleans, La.) on July 6th, crushing him todeath.

Mark Gordon, 28, a zoologist who had re-cently moved here from Omaha (Nebr) wascrused against a concrete post. He died ofhead injuries.

Ron Foreman, zoo director, said Gordon andanother man were cleaning the elephant en-closure when Gordon turned his back andthe elephant charged. Foreman said the fe-male elephant "Miss Sunbeam" had been atthe zoo for 15 years and had never beforecaused any serious problems.

He described it as an accident and said theelephant would remain at the zoo. "No oneis at fault," said Foreman. Gordon "should-n't have turned his back, but the elephant isnot a dangerous animal." He said there wasno indication that "Miss Sunbeam" was illor in any sort of pain.

MiscellaneousTelephone solicitors in Alameda (Calif.) Coun-ty, phoning about a rodeo, were repremandedlast week by officials for their "heavy hand-ed" sales pitch.

Every week the RBBB Red Unit orders some4,000 Ibs of beef or horsemeat, 1,500 Ibs ofbran moistened with molasses, 40 Ibs of or-anges, 20 loaves of bread and 11 ton of hayfor its animals.

THANXl̂ MOBBS

1 LLUSTR AKH.

THE CIRCUS REPORT ispublished each week by DonMarcks, 525 Oak St., El Cer-rito. Calif. 94530 (415) 525-3332.

SUBSCRIPTION RATE:$12.00 a year ($15.00 for sur-face mail overseas).

ADVERTISING RATES:Minimum ad $5.00; QuarterPage $10.00; Half Page $15.00;Full Page $25.00 (No colorwork available).

August 1, 1977 Page 19

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