6th Year January 10,1977 Number 2

New Top OrderedA unique cable top has been ordered from U. S. Canvas Products, of Saresota, Fla., by

the Stebbing Royal European Circus. The new top, according to owner Bill Stebbing. will be redand white striped and is a 95 with a 40 ft middle. However, additional canvas sections, includingan apex, will allow for conversion of the tent to a 125 ft round, with four poles, for a Europeanstyle top. This larger top will be used on some of the show's dates.

The show's current top, a four year old85 with a 40 ft middle, will be reconditionedat the show's Sarasota winter quarters and willstill be used, both on one day stands and a fewover-lapping dates previously played by theStebbing's outdoor unit

Stebbing and Manager/General AgentPaul Robinson attended the I.A.F.E. Conven-tion in Las Vegas recently, and told CR that

interest in circuses on fair midways is contin-uing to grow. "Now, we have fairs getting intouch with us," Stebbing said.

In addition to the new canvas, scheduledfor delivery in time for the Jan. 20th opening atthe South Florida Fair, at West Palm Beach, theshow has added new theatrical production flour-ishes, two new spotlights with multi-colored

(Continued on Page 17)

AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

JACOBSHOLLYWOOD ELEPHANTS

ContactJUDY JACOBSKAYE

Suite 519 • 1680 North Vine Street • Hollywood. California • 90(. -Area Code 213 • 462-6001

Page 2 January 10, 1977

Poachers HurtAfrican animals are being hunted down bypoachers with machine guns, according to arecent AP report. The demand for more landby humans, drought conditions and increasedprices for skins and ivory are said to be thecause of current wholesale salughter of animals.In many cases the carcesses are left to rot inthe hot sun.

In the past six months, officials report, poach-ers have killed off 1,040 elephants, 235 rhinosand 20 leopards. At Tsavo National Park theelephant population has dropped from 35,900to 20,200, while at Nairobi's Natioanl Park thezebra herds have gone from 15,000 to 1,500.Pollution from a new factory has been blamedfor huge losses of flamingos.One official says that Kenya's wildlife will com-pletely disappear in five years unless drastic ac-tion is taken. They have proposed a ban on alltypes of hunting, or as an alternative, to chargea license fee of $8,200 for each animal killed.But, they fear the poachers will continue to op-erate and the big problem nowadays is tryingto stop the poacher.

WANTEDTALENT FOR 1977

FAMILY - SINGLE - ANIMAL ACTS

Guaranteed 20 Weeks

All Indoor Engagements - Work on Stages

"MAGIC TIME - U S A "

Please send Picture, Resume and Salary to:

MEARL N. JOHNSON

North American ProductionsJohnson Building - 151 W. Union St.

Somerset, Penna. • 15501

or call (814)443-4644

FOR SALESeasoned Dancing/ Dressage American

Saddlebred Horse - Registered 5 yr.old - 16 Hands - Dark Bay

Does a complete 6 minute routine work-ed from long lines - Sidepass, Waltz,Hind Leg Stand, Reverse March, Seriesof Marches With Outstanding Extentionand more. This horse is broke and readyto work

- ALSO-

Seasoned Trick Riding Horse - Quarter-horse, 12 yrs old - 15.1 Hands - DarkBay

This horse is ring broke and would makean excellent finish horse for riding act.Have started High School.

ONLY reason we're selling is we have toomany horses in our stable.

BRADD& SHEILA FRANKP. O. Box 63 - Satsuma, Fla. 32089

Phone: (904) 649-4580

CHARLES L PEASE has retired from his jobwith the Hanford Works (Wash.) and he andhis wife recently visited relatives in Florida.

PAUL KELLY and BARON VON UHL will betouring their own show "Grand Ole AmericanCircus" this season.

MELVIN SILVERLAKE is set to. join GOPHERDAVENPORT (Dailey Bros.) with the operationof two tent shows. They open this month.

BOB and VI HOFMEISTER, who toured theirhorse acts with the Beatty-Cole Circus last sea-son will not be returning to the show for the1977 tour.GARY and ZOE ANN HENRY have added awhite stallion high school horse to their listof acts (Roman riding, Comedy Pony, ClownCar, etc). They also added a Jockey Dog tothe dog act, and plan to tour in Canada withthe DuBois Circus.

January 10, 1977

GREAT ARTURO

P H I L I P M': DONALD

Currently appearing in

THE WORLD SGREATESTCIRCUS STARS

14 W E E K A U S T R A L I A N TOUR

Booked By

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISESSUITE 519 • MOlLVWOOO TAPT Bu'LDiNQ • MOLLV^OOO A v>NE • MQtLvwoOO C*LiFO*N>A 90096

AREA COOC 7*3 * MOLLVWOOO 2 «OO»

Page 4 The Circus Report

ROUTESCIRCUS VARGAS

Jan. 7-10 Atlanta, Ga.11-12 Columbus, Miss14-18 Beaumont, Texas

COLE ALL STAR TV CIRCUSJan. 14 Lewisburg, Pa.

15 Milton

L N. FLECKLES CIRCUSJan. 3-9 Saginaw, Mich

POLACK BROS. CIRCUSJan. 15-23 Flint, Mich.

RINGUNG-BARNUM (Red Unit)Dec. 30-Jan. 2 Venice, Fla.Jan. 4-11 St. Petersburg

Ken Griffin Show (Magic)Jan. 10 Douglas, Ariz.

11 Thatcher12 Miami14 Eagle Mt., Calif.

Wizard of Oz ShowJan. 11-17 Detroit, Mich.

MiscellaneousBaskin & Robbins ice cream entered a circuscalliope float in the Pasadena, Calif., NewYear's Day Parade. The working calliope waspulled by a huge animated lion.

THANK YOUK A R L W A L L E N D AHigh Wire Artist Supreme

for your Wells Cargo BaggageTrailer Purchase

"SA VE MONEY WITH JOHNNY"

J O H N N Y C A N O L E

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

7100 Sixth AvenueAltoona. Pa. 16602

(814)9449347or 943-0003

THREE ELEPHANT ACT

Three Small Elephants

Will Also Do a Single Act

Pleas* Contact:

GARY JOHNSON701 West 9th StreetCorona, Calif. - 91720

Phone: (714)735-9531

MIKE NAUGHTON recently completed hissecond year of teaching "Clowning" at a NewJersey High School. The poipular class has along waiting list of students.

"HANABELLE" BELIER, lady clown, formerlyon Bartok shows, has been working KiddieBirthday Party Shows, she also got married.STEVE CARLSON of "Onstage CabaretTheatre" says he is willing to book circus actson weekends if they wish to break a jump whilein the Preeport, LI. area.JAN BICKMORE and LARRY JOYNER weremarried at Las Vegas on Dec. 23rd. Both are onthe Circus Vargas, which opened last week inGeorgia.

IN MEMORYOF OUR BELOVED

WIFE AND DAUGHTER

HEIDI MONIKA C O L E

WHO LEFT US ON JAN. 6, 1973

WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU

JIM, PAULA and ROBY

PageS

BILLY BARTONBREAKING RECORDS IS his game, MARCO C A N EESTRELLI is his name! Marco previously broke hisown record with the "quidtriple" full-twisting backsomersault to the shoulders of brother BELMONTE;then, on Dec. 18th, it the Showfolks Circus, Marcointroduced the "sextuple" somersault, a full twistingback. To reach this major achievement Marco had tofirst shatter an earlier record of FIVE full-twisten seton the Texis dates. He scored SIX, was greeted withan Award for Special Accomplishment, presented byKARL WALLENOA at the Roberts Arena. CONGRATULATIONS* MARCO!

GEE GEE ENGESSER is set for dates with SAM T.POLACK prior to reopening with Quebec's GATINECIRCUS (Former DuBois Circus World). The BlondeBombshell has been winging to and from Florida • tovisit son Billy, who tossed a gala where "big Berthabrass" were guests, along with BUCKLES and BARBARBA, JOEY HODGINI and others. Gee Gee alsoflew to Sarasota for New Years Eve. Betweenflights our commuter has been salvaging the base-ment of her Texas home, ravated by recent floods;sewing wardrobe, fixing animal trippings ind paint-ing equipment.

The FRED CANESTRELLI Family heed for the Do-minican Republic this month to open in a Vegas stylereview it the Fluente Night Club which is housed inthe Hotel Juargua. When thet 10 weeks ends thetroupe wings stateside for spot dates with HUBERTCASTLE before opening in Japan with KAYE CONTINENTAL and that show's run of 60 days, plus atwo week option.

KELLY (Jr) was injured in a freak accidert when,brte for hn "farewell wave," he rushed through theback door curtains and collided with a still-movingaerial rigging. Emmett suffered facial cuts which re-quired a Plastic Surgeon to stitch up, a concussionand injuries to his right arm and side. He was hospi-talized for several days. Prior to his mishap, his mo-ther EVA MAE LEWIS (for years an aerialist) wasstruck by a car. She is in fair condition.

FLASH II RUDY JACOB! was married to CARDLIME TOELLE on Dec. 26th in Baltimore, MdThe CLAYTONS' Blessed Event caught the coupleby surprise when little Miss MACHARR LYNNE ar-rived ahead of schedule but in the nick of time forold St. Nick! The baby weighed in at 7 Ibs 8 oz.,on Nov. 30th.

NEWS BRIEFS: BOBO ZOPPE's death was suddenand surprising. He had just been released from a Lake-land hospital when he suffered a fatal re lapse. . . .D ICKGARDEN is framing an ice show to tour Canada and

the U.S. MICHAEL CHERRICK's deal to sharethe spotlight with his mother LOTTIE BRUNN, onthe Gatti show, didn't jell, so the juggler will openwith Ha mid Morton next month. LOTTIE just re-turned from a Carribean cruise aboard the Oceanawhere she did only 3 shows in two weeks (Nice workif you can get it!) The Sterling Forest ThemePark will NOT open this swjon....KEITH and KATHYKILLINGER (the housebuilders) are back from theirmusical assignment with Jimmy Harrington's PuertoRico dite .. PANCHO MAGANA flew to Detroit tolook over WALT KING'S cat act...JOHNNY WALKER(Jr) is handling the Hoxie bulls.

The HERMANNS will take theirhorses to Great Adventure this sf«son....SYD MOOREand Family repeat at the fun $put....TE 0 and LISASTEWART make early winter dates with Castle....PEP) ARTURO totalled his VW and is sporting twohealing ribs and the sign of 7 stitches on his chin!

DEBBIE VALENTINE "retired" after a Dec. 19thXmas date and is now in Texas happily absorbed inselling furniture. KAY PETTINGER has taken herplace in the flying act, but Debbie says she intends tokeep-in-shape, just-in-casa BARBARA LUXEM,who's been studying musk and the organ for manyyears, made her professional debut at a night club onNew Years Eve.FAMOUS HUNT was approached about an engage-ment in, of all places, Nigeria! Marsha listened, inves-tigated and NIXED, once she learned the prospect wasa bit too blood-thirsty to be safe. "It's very military,"she told me. "Any soldier can do any damn thing hepleases, so if you offend him watch out!" Sounds likea delightful place NOT to visit! AL DAWLEY hasbeen experiencing IRS headaches. "First they wentthrough 1974, now it's 1975! Who knows how farthey'll go before they're finished. So, remind yourreaders to keep ALL receipts."

The motel situation in Commack (L.I.) with the Em-mett Kelly, Jr. Circus was so tight JUNE DEWSBURYended up sharing a room with PRINCE NAJVEZ andBOBBY DAVIS. That wasn't so bad, but the motelturned out to be one of those "houses of ill-repute".Talk about raised eyebrows!

See you down the road, luvs...

Page 6 The Circus Report

Gift IdeaToy shops throughout the country are current-ly featuring a set of four Jigsaw Puzzles withcircus themes. Produced by Parker Bros., ofSalem, Mass. 01970, the puzzles are reproduc-tions of old-time Ringling Bros, lithos. Each ispriced at $3.39.

The puzzles include:

No. 561 • Gowns • Army of 50 clownsNo. 562 - Saxon Trio • Giants of strengthNo. 563 • The Lorch Family • acrobatsNo. 564 • Elephants at the Fair

Acts SetSeveral acts have recently been booked for na-tional TV by Simone Finner Enterprises, theWest Coast agency that specializes in circus andvariety acts.

Scheduled to be seen throughout the countrythis month are: Kathy Batchelor and her dres-sage horse and Moore's Mongrel Revue, which

TV SpotTelecasts of the Billy Smarts Circus, in Eng-land, were seen on two different days in theLos Angeles (Calif.) area last month.

The first presentation was included as a part ofthe regular TV feature "Wide World of Sports"•and featured acts listed in CR (Page 18) onJan. 3rd.

The second presentation was screened on Dec.19th, using the title "Billy Smarts Xmas Cir-cus." This program featured: Clown wire actwith Galetti; Elephants (10) each with a girlrider; The Coudoux Bros., contortion and bal-ancing; the Baranoani's, high wire; the SallayGlobes, teeterboard and a Christmas Finale.

... Jim Swafford

will be on the special "Circus of the Stan".Acts set for appearances on the Merv Gri f f inShow are: The Great Tomsoni, comedy magic;The Alcetty's novelty plate spinning and MooresMongrel Revue.

Complete Circus For Sale

3 MirquMS - 1 used - 1 new - 1 smallfor side show

Turn: -1 - 100ft round1-110 ft w/40 ft middle1-110 ft w/50 ft middle1 - 70 ft round w/30 ft middle1 - 55 ft. round w/2 20 ft. middles

2 - 50 kw Light Plants and Junction Boxes•nd 3 wire cables • Mounted side-by-sidein Semi-trailer

1 - Double Spool1 - Office truck w/sleeper1 - Pole & Seat Trailer

Also hive seats, jacks

Also hive Seats, Jacks, Stringers, Blues,Stakes, Poles (wood ind aluminum)

Send All Replies to:

CIRCUS

P. 0. Box 10186 Sinsoti, F la. 33578

January 10, 1977 Page 7

KELLY SHOWThe Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus presented eightperformances (Dec. 17-19) in the 5400 seatLong Island Arena at Commack to good houses.Sunday, Dec. 19th, was marred with accidentsduring each of the three performances. Kellywas floored by Johnny Luxem's slowly movingWheel of Destiny after Luxem completed hisact. The show was over, but hardly anyone mov-ed from their seats, they just stared in silence.An on duty ambulance rushed Kelly to the lo-cal hospital where his facial injuries were tend-ed to by a plastic surgeon.In the second show Ray Valentine slipped onthe low wire and landed on his back, laying onthe floor for a long minute before resuming hisact. The third show found one of Kassle's bearsriding a motorcycle over the ring curb and head-ing toward the surprised audience, before hewas stopped.It was a strong show with Ken Clayton servingas ringmaster. The band was directed by StanGreenberg. Acts included: Emmett Kelly, warmup; Myamba's Baboons; Ray Valentine, lowwire; Kelly and June Dewsbury, clown wirewalk; Kassle's bears; Irvin Hall, unicycle andbreak-away bike; Kelly, balancing a feather;The Flying Valentines; Charlene's Pets; BillySmith, juggler; Kelly's magic and levitation;Prince Najvez, aerial fantasy; Ken Clayton,whips and ropes; Johnny Luxem's Wheel ofDestiny- ... Pat Bissonette

COMING - Next week read the line-up of starsand acts appearing on the big TV Special call-ed "Gala Gala" or "The Circus of Stars."

ATTENTIONTO ALL OUR FRIENDS

on December 19, 1976

The Circus was burned by persons unknown

CIRCORAMA ESPACIAL

Owned by the Campa Family

I, Fred Teurman, brother-in-law of thefamily am asking for your support

For Information Call: (213) 927-1201

or write

6612 Clara St. Bell Gardens, Ca. 90201

KARL WALLENDA was featured in a specialinterview in the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribuneon Nov. 7,1976.

WALLY and CVIGI BICKMORE, who weremarried in Las Vegas on Dec. 29th, are at homein Oregon where Wally plans to build showequipment.

COCO III (clown) along with DAVID and IVEYUPTON (aerialists) all graduates from the Flor-ida Sailor Circus, were featured in the lnt'1 AllStar Circus program in Sarasota (Fla) last month

RICHARD BARSTOW, RBBB stage director,recently won the "Circus Oscar of 1976" pre-sented by the "Federation Internationale duCirque" of France.

AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS AFTER JULY 1, 1977

MARCANSMALE AFRICAN LIONS

(First Time to Tour U.S.A. - Best Male Lion Act Available)Contact:

JOSIP MARCAN818 - 13th Avenue - Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304

Phone: (414)432-5692

Page 8 The Circus Report

Now Booking for 1977CIRCUS ORGANIST

For Winter and Spring Dates

LEE MALONEY

2216 May field AvenueJoliet, Illinois - 60435

Phones:(815)725-8770 (815)725-1059

OK TOURThe Holiday Magic Circus, promoted and pro-duced by Bill Bliesner and Ray MacMahon, hada successful tour of 8 weeks and a day, endingon Dec. 26th. The circus started out as the Roy-al American Circus, then switched titles as theholidays approached.

The program featured: Tom Sink, audiencewarm-up; Paulette's Peerless Puppies presentedby Linda Chandler; Sink's "Ma Bell" clown num-ber; Reggene and Francine, rola bola; Tom Sinkand his Musical Comedy number; and inter-mission.

The second half featured: The Robertson Fam-.ily, juggling; Tom Sink, comedy magic; TheGreat Chandler, magic/illusions.

The show carried its own concessions and R.E. Smith handled the special lighting.

Billy Barton

Coming soon • A report on the Mattel -ownedCircus World Theme Park as provided for thecompany's stockholders. Watch for it soon inan issue of Circus Report.

NOTICEBILLY BARTON is back on the road for the

the 1977 Season

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO

"CIRCUS REPORT"Do NOT use his Private Address

WANTEDWANT CONTRACTING AGENTS. HolidayHippodrome is expanding again. Can place 3qualified booking agents for year round workMust be capable of setting phones.

For interview call:Bill Garden or Lee Donoghue

(813)366-9282

"Magic Holiday Fantasy" toured for 29 daysduring the Holiday season last year, playingsdates in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and inPennsylvania. The show was produced by DickJohnson, of Gibsonton, Fla., and was managedby Jim Price, the show's musical director wasRobert Green, of Ottawa, HI.

The program included: The Amazing Johnson,magic; Bobby-Jean Duo, juggling; Bobo, theGown; Jargo, the funny giraffe; Balloon Sculp-turing; Miss Brenda, Industructible Girl; Bobo,plate spinning; Simon, Almost Human Chimpan-zee; and The Lang Family, acrobats.

FOR SALE3 COMPLETE ACTS

Aerial Cradle Rigging - indoor and out-door equipment

Rolling Globe Act - 2 globes with rampand other items

Chair Balancing Act - 7 aluminum chairs

ALL ACTS A-l CONDITION - Ready to Use

All props "are chromed or of aluminum

Call or Write:

HANK & CINDY (Cassidy) RUMMEL

R. D. 1Wooster, Ohio - 44691

Phone:(216)264-2361

January 10, 1977 Page 9

•Plying9|amos

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISEf AFT Oo-LtiNo • MOnvwooo * v NC • -On-vwooo CALIFORNIA 90020

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120 E. FLAMINGO RO. — SUITE 285 - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89109

ENTERPRISES 702 / 733-7978

November 3, 1976

Mr. Joe SharpA.C. Nelsen Co.2112 Harney StreetOmaha, Nebraska - 68102

Dear Joe:

Now that I have sold my truck add trailer and now that basically our accounthas been closed with you I would like to take this opportunity to say thefollowing:

I know that I have said this before but I want to say it again. I want to sincerely.thank you and your entire staff for the excellent service, consideration 'and patience in our dealings with A.C. Nelsen. To me, follow up serviceand consideration are very important aspects in any business regardless ofhow small or big -- unfortunately, not too many people adhere to this typeof policy -- you and A.C. Nelsen stand head and shoulders above manyother people that I have dealt with. You people are fair, and in this dayand age that's very hard to find. You can be assured that in the event Iever need another truck and trailer (or whatever) you WILL be hearingfrom me. Thanks'

With kindest personal regards,

Sincerely,

•'SANDY DOBKITCH

TELEVISION - THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS - CIRCUSES

LICENCED * iOWOeO IN THE STATE OF NEVADA

WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS:Travel trailers, Mini-Homes, Motor-homes,Light trucks, Concession Trailers, etc.

Most types of Insurance.

We finance what we sell and carry the contracts.

The Largest trailer supply store in the midwestA Complete shop and service facility.

A. C. NELSON COMPANY2112 Harney Street - Omaha, Nebraska 68102

Phone: (402) 344-40002?•8

Page 12 January 10, 1977

Watch for -MOORE'S MONGREL REVUE

Monday, January 10 - CBS-TV Monday, January 17 (Major Cities)

GALA, GALA - Circus of Stars MERV GRIFFIN SHOW - Las Vegas

May be a 3 to 4 week delay for smaller cities

BOB MOORE - 513 Kiernan Avenue - Modesto, Calif. • 95350

MiscellaneousInt'l Start i me (stage show) will close its wintertour at Sandwich, 111., on the last week of Feb.

. The Royal American Shrine Club will meet atnoon on Feb. 6th at the Activities Building ofthe Egypt Shrine Temple, in Florida.The Man's Action magazine (April 1977., Vol.12, No. 4) has an unusual story by Donald M.Wright, called "The Sin Circus of Hans Hein-rich."

The Budapest Circus on Water wound up itsHoliday engagement at Paris on Jan. 9th. Theentire show was presented in the center of apool 13 yards in diameter.

ATTENTIONALL FANS AND OTHERS

Buy A Piece of Gil Gray CircusWardrobe for a Circus Souvenir

$5.00

Includes Postage and Handling

Also includes a Surprise Posteror other Circus Material.

All Replies to:

CIRCUSP. O. Box 10186

Sarasota, Fla. - 33578

Upcoming ShowThe Onstage Disco & Night Club, at Freeport,Long Island, will house a circus, produced byowner Steve and Whitey Carlson, starting Feb.5th. The circus, which will run through April17th, will be called "The Onstage EuropeanCircus Theatre" and except for the week ofFeb. 19-27 and 16 days (April 2-17) will bepresented on Saturdays and Sundays only, withthe Disco in operation every Friday and Satur-day night. Show schedule will be: Saturdaysand weekdays: 10:30 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. Sun-days: 1, 4 and 7 p.m.The bulk of the talent has been set, which willinclude: Kay Rosaire's lions; Johnny Zoppe'sSparton Aerial Act; Javanna's Jungle Fantasy(baboons); Kastle's bears; Mirko De York, mar-ionettes; Hermine's Midgets, low wire, balanc-ing and marching band; Dave Harris with theCircus Kingdom group, trampoline, juggling,high wire, aerial ballet, etc. They will also pro-duce the music and provide prop men.The Carlsons once owned the Long IslandArena as well as the West Hempstead Arena,which is now a shopping center. Each springa circus was presented at the latter location,produced in turn by a number of circus pro-ducers, including L. N. Fleckles and the lateFrank Wirth' Billy Barton

The Best of True West magazine, now on localnews stands features an article called "BuffaloBill As I Knew Him" by one of the last of theold buffalo hunters;

The Circus Report Page 13

REVIEW/ HELLZAPOPPIN

As Hollywood and Broadway have so oftenproved, a remake or revival is seldom as goodas the original and the Broadway-bound "Hellzapoppin" (written around the unbridled in-sanity of Olsen & Johnson in 1938) is certainlynot the exception.

When caught, the show was in the throes of try-outs so allowances must be made; plus the factthat Union Regulations undermined efforts to"doctor" the show when the stage of the Na-tional Theatre could not be used for rehearsals.Regulations are less stringent in Boston wherethe show is now playing and where the roughedges are being reworked. To this end muchwork remains to be done. The dance numbersare pedestrian and badly out of sync. Somenewly inserted skits are overblown and onlysporadically funny (the Blackouts fare better).One new skit utilizes a revolving stage that is sounwieldly as to engender a stage wait in thecrucial second act - death to a show which ishalf-burlesque and half-vaude and which de-pends on momentum."Hellzapoppin" is subtitled a "Musical Circus"and it is neither. The saddest part is that "Hell-zapoppin" is a legend of slapstick and shtikwhich people expect to see and are disappointedwhen they don't. That does not mean the showlacks its bright moments, because it has them.Possibly by the time it reaches Broadway a halfhour will be pruned, laughs tightened and some-one will have taught Jerry Lewis to tap dance.The show starts out with the audience pullingfor. Early in the first half it develops a chronicstate of hiccups and long before the two hoursand forty minutes have ended the audience issquirming and losing its enthusiasm.Second Bananas Joey Faye, Herb Edelman andBrandon Maggart are excellent. Given strongermaterial and a freer rein they alone could ele-vate "Hellzapoppin" from its lower momentsto higher levels. Also on the plus side are theflashy costumes and lighted sets. The music ismelodic, but not memorable. Only one song"One To A Customer" seems likely to live be-yond the show's run.

by BILLY BARTON

Woefully miscast are Jill Choder, whose "bigsong moment" near the end of the show, is rendered in an inadequate voice; and Lynn Red-grave, a talented actress, who is too upper-crustfor bawdy song and low comedy.Jerry Lewis is the sort of performer who dividesthe ranks. Either you love him or hate him. In"Hellzapoppin" he is quite good and much calm-er than when he is mugging constantly or beingoffensibly eptileptic and is bound to win a hordeof new fans. He is particularly funny in the op-ening take-off "A Chorus Line" and again in a"smoking sketch", in blackouts and shows apleasant singing voice.Strongest reception is given to the circus andnovelty acts, to the show stopping juggling Vil-la ms, to the cycling Volantes with their "Smo-ther Bros." type humor, and to Bob Williamswith his sad-eyed trained "un-trained" mutt,Louie and to plate spinner Leonardo, who hasthe audience frantic with gleeful anticipation.On Feb. 13, "Hellzapoppin", which cost a mil-lion dollars, has its official opening at the Mins-koff Theatre. Part of the first act will be tele,vised on NBC's Big Event. The show reportedlyhas a million dollar advance and the drawingpower of Jerry Lewis is expected to give theshow a lengthy run whether the New Yorkcritics okay it or not. (The original ran forsomething like ten years). Several road com-panies have been proposed and it's the typeof show that should go over well in thesmaller towns.

One of the few gags heldover from the originalshow is the man carrying a small plant throughthe audience, which gradually turns into a tree,plus the heckling and "bits" from various pointsin the theatre. But, where oh where is the trainthat hurtled from nowhere in a "black" theatreto scare hell out of the audience, or that mar-velous closing when the cast dismantled thestage and then turned to the audience demanding to know why they were still there!What "Hellzapoppin" needs is a new title sothat comparison to the original won't be in-vited, or a good deal MORE Hellzapoppin anda good deal less of the overworked TV Varietywe are used to seeing - - for free.

Page 14 The Circus Report

Seeks AidFederal laws meant to protect endangered spe-cies of wildlife are threatening the circus andcould make this form of entertainment extinct,CFA's recently warned Secretary of the Inter-ior Thomas Kleppe. Five CFA's met with theSecretary and two aides responsible for admin-istering the Endangered Species Act.

CFA spokesman Or. Roland Gibbs, of Glen-wood, Iowa, said a circus without animalswould become a "people circus and I questionwhether the public would patronize them."The laws, he added, control the free movementof captive-bred animals.

Rick Parsons, director of the Wildlife SpecialPermit Bureau, says his department is consid-ering a plan that would permit owners of wildanimals to bring in certain species from othercountries, but this would mean that the animalmust be kept by the owner, that it could not besold or transferred to another person.

GLEN HENRY is busy putting the finishingtouches on his new pony liberty drill andgetting new dogs into the act.

RON BACON and wife will be working withthe Hoxie Great American and Hoxie Bros.Circus this season.

MANUEL RAMOS is in San Antonio (Texas)getting ready to open a new circus which willdebut in February.

Curtis Bonier, deputy Fish, Wildlife and Parks,says his department's role is to carry out thelaws passed by Congress. We try to interpretwhat Congress wrote into the laws, he said.

Both Parsons and Bbhlens said they have triedto enforce the laws in a way that would be help-ful to circuses. "We have interpreted the lawfor moving animals across state borders in sucha way that animal trainers are not prohibitedfrom doing so."

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 ;

January 10, 1977 Page 15

The Big OneLondon became the Circus Capital of tfie Worldfor five days (Nov. 23-27) when the First CircusWorld Championships were held at ClaphamCommon. The championships were presentedby Marvin H. Sugarman, Inc., in associationwith Mary Chipperfleld Promotions, Ltd., andwere divided into five categories: Flying Trap-eze, High School Riding, Ground Acrobatics,Cycling, and High Wire. The programs wereheld in a huge tent obtained from Circo EnisTogni and was imported from Italy. Its seatingcapacity was over 4,000 people.Judges for the various categories were leadingcircus directors: Cyril B. Mills (England); CarlSembach (Germany); Karl Wallenda (U.S.);Enis Togni (Italy); Jean Richards (France); AT-turo Castilla (Spain), and the non-voting chair-man was Jimmy Chipperfleld.The show has already been sold for world-widetelevision in both the U.S. and Canada, as wellas many parts of Europe. Semi-finals and finals

DAVID MOBB, formerly with RBBB, FreedomTrain and Hoxie Bros., has been named Na-tional Marketing Director for the Beatty-ColeCircus. He will schedule the show's tour of newshopping center dates in 1977.

were held on the first three nights, with a galaperformance and the winners displaying theirskills on the last night. Karl Wallenda also dis-played his skills by walking a high wire, whichincluded a headstand. On the Saturday datethree performances were presented with a var-iety of competing acts included on the pro-gram. Mary Chipperfleld showed her animal act*which included tigers, African elephants, horses,ponies, chimps and monkeys, along with otherartists and clowns.Winners of the Competition were: Rock-SmithFlyers; (flying act); Katja Schumann (highschool riding); The Bertinis (bicycles); JohnnyHutch and his Herculeans (ground acrobatics)and Manfred Duval (high wire).

. Jack Niblett

EQUIPMENT FOR SALEPRICES ARE CASH OR BEST OFFER

One (1) 70 ft. top, with 2-30 ft.middles (Wall, Stakes and PolesIncluded) $1,500.00

One 21 ft. Concession Trailer, Tan-dem Axels, Opens 2 Leans on Front,1 on rear. Completely Stocked withEquipment - 2 Floss, 2 Snos, 2 GasPoppers, 1 Coke Pre-mix unit with16 Pre-mix tanks, 1 CO-2 Tank withGuages. Formica Cabinet, Sinks, allComplete $3,500.00

One (1) 60 ft. top, Square End, with2-20's and 1-30 ft. middle. (Wall,Poles and Stakes Included)

$1,500.00

Also various Light Plants, Diesel orGasoline; Trucks; Trailers; RingCurbs; Electric Cable; Bally Plat-forms; Ticket Boxes; Bally Clothesand other Circus Articles.

(Negotiable)

Also have 1,200 seats 5 high.$1,500.00

Contact:JOHN LEWIS

4031 Kiaora St. Miami, Fla. 33133

Phone: 665-3069 - NO COLLECT CALLS

Page 16 January 10, 1977

WANTWANT FOR 1977 SEASON

Family doing 2 or more acts - No Animals

Also Want

Young, Ambitious Advance Agentand Booking Agent

FRANZEN BROS. CIRCUSRte. 1 - Box 173

Amherst Junction, Wise. 54407Phone:(715)869-3563

Talent NamedSome of the talent set for the upcoming Hamid-Morton Circus tour, starting in February atHartford (Conn) includes: The Quassars; TheFlying Valentines; Michael Cherrick; Ron Perry;Paulette Braun; Ray Valentine, Jr.; The Phar-oahs; Bill Brickie; Josip Marcan; Ernie McLeanand Dime Wilson, Sr. and Co.

Fla. Show.The annual New Year's Eve Show sponsored bythe Schlitz Brewery, at St. Petersburg, Fla.,was presented in the Rex McDonald Coliseum.

•The program, produced by Bill Kormpates, in-cluded: Alfredo's Comedy Dogs; the NadiaBelly Dancers; the Medro Twins, balancing andjuggling; Los Comancheros, aerialists, and TheSilver King's Band.

Novelty Acts WantedAll types of novelty acts geared for high schoolschool auditoriums. Week ends throughoutthe year. New England, Western Penna., East-ern Penna., New York State areas. Also needact for March 25/26 in Central Florida.

Quote Realistic Prices.

HARMES THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

Jackie HarmesP. O. Box 2059, Ventnor, N.J. 08406

FOR SALEHAMMOND BV CONSOLE (Customized)

Leslie 925 outdoor/indoor speaker 140 watts

We Wells Cargo UT-8 Trailer for Organ

A Package Deal at $2,000.00

— Am Retiring -

HARRY J. JENKINS7876 Caminito HuertaSan Diego, Cal. 92122

WILSON STOREY will return as manager ofthe Hagan Wallace Sells & Gray Circus, whileB. H. "Whitey" BLACK will continue as man-ager of the King Bros.-Cole Circus. GeneralAgent JOE McMAHON will continue to servein that position for all three shows.

JACK and BRENDA PAYNE (The Saxons) re-cently worked a date at Phoenix, Ariz., for IvanHenry,

RETIRING!!An eight year old Indian elephant

Broken for rides only • Is a goodworker and safe to use.

REAL MONEY MAKER

Includes truck and special trailer

Will sell all or part as you wish.

or

Will Work or Lease for ReliableParty.

TONY GENTRY

P. O. Box 515Newbury Park, Ca. 91320

Phone: (805) 498-3392

January 10, 1977 Page 17

WHEN IN CHICAGO

Kampgrounds of America, Inc.On Rte. 45 - VA mi. So. of I 80

P. O. Box 8Frankfort, 111. - 60423

Frank Cusimano, OwnerPhone: (815)469-2454

SPECIAL RATES IF YOU MENTIONCIRCUS REPORT

NEW TOP ORDEREDgels which will be used for some numbers. Newring curbs are planned with colored lighting onthe inside of the curb.

For its upcoming tour the show will add threetrucks and a concession wagon. The old con-cession unit is being modified for use as a pitshow on the midway.

Last year the circus played in Texas for thefirst time, showing for 100 days. The highlightof that tour was the two day engagement inconnection with the CFA's 50th anniversaryconvention at Dallas. The show is expected toagain play dates in Texas, Florida and theCarolinas.

WANTEDFOR FISHER BROS. CIRCUS

Contracting Agent to Set Phones

Also want Press Agent that canand will work with local committees

Write: FISHER BROS. CIRCUSP. O. Box 1432Ruskin, Fla. - 33570

WANTIMMEDIATELY

Dependable and Experienced

Diesel Truck Driver

GOOD PAY

Contact:

COL. LEE KEENERBuckeye Circus Corp.Canton, Ohio • 44707

Phone: (216)484-5623

MiscellaneousThe Beatty-Cole Circus will be playing for theNur Shrine Temple at Dover, Dela., on April29th to May 1st, and for the Lu Lu ShrineTemple at Wilmington, Dela., on May 19 to 30.

The King Bros.-Cole Circus will open its 1977season on April 8th at Apopka, Fla., while theHagan Wallace Sells & Gray Circus is scheduledto open at Brooksville, Fla. on April 4th. TheBeatty-Cole Circus has a tentative opening dateset for April 7th.

WANTEDWANT from Friends, Fans, Foes and

Fellow Workers of Tom Mix

Information and Material about:

TOM MIX

CYSE O'DELL where are you?

. PARNELL BRENNANBox 642

Hammond, Ind. 46325

Page 18 The Circus Report

Baretta'sWFOS^^ cm iiun TUC A T Q i r AI >or\rti i/*i

DIRECT FROMTV'S HIT SHOWstarring

COCKATOOin a greatAll-Sfor Bird Show(Winnef o* TVl test AnmolPerformance Award)

SHILLING THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

P. O. BOX 281 • HUNTINGTON. LONG ISLAND. NEW YORK 11743 • 516 AR 1 2266

YOKO and COOKIE, the Clowns, worked theChristmas season for Int*l Startime, now theyplay the winter dates for Heckles and thenjoin Rudy Bros, for the summer season.

JOE EDDIE will tour with Hoxie Bros, duringthe coming year. He will direct the band andalso will do impalement, magic and lecture inthe side show. His wife BETTY will work inthe show's office.JIM and BEVERLY ROYAL will join Hoxie'sGreat American Circus for the summer. He hassigned to be ringmaster and to do magic/illus-ions, while Beverly will work web and ladders.

ALFREDO'S Comedy Dogs worked the SchlitzEmployees Children's Party at Tampa, Fla., onDec. 23rd.BILL KORMPATES, Chaplain for the GreaterTampa Showman's Club, was recently elected"Commander" Col. of the Legion of Honor in

Egypt Temple for 1977.

JERRY BEEMAN's "King of the Cosmos" newaerial act worked for the Tampa (Fla.) Show-man's Club on Dec. 14th,

AUDREY TAYLOR visited her former partnerBLANCHE BALZER over the Holidays, inFlorida. They hadn't seen each other in morethan 20 years. Billed as the "Balzer Sisters"(adagio balancing) they were popular vaude-ville and circus stars.

THE JUGGLING VILLAMS visited the Em-mett Kelly, Jr., Circus when the show playedin Washington, DC on Dec. 22-24.

BILLY BARTON, BOBBY DAVIS, and nightclub entertainers FRANK RODERICK andLARRY TOSTEN, visited the JERRY LEWISshow "Hellzapoppin" in Washington,DC lastmonth. Later they were hosted to a small din-ner party by the Villams.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL TRAINER

AND LOVELY BONNIE BALE

ROYAL CONTINENTAL PERFORMING STALLIONS- Liberty - Long Rein - High School -

NOW TRAINING FOR R.B.B.B. NEW CIRCUS WORLD

P. O. Box 2006 - HAINES CITY, FLA. 33844 - PHONE: (813) 424-2421

ROLA BOLA - UPRIGHTS - NETS - PORTABLES - RISLEY - RING CURB - BACK WALL - PROPS - PLANS

•»•.>•'.'

( S

MANUFACTURERS OF SPECIAL CIRCUS RIGGING AND SHOW EQUIPMENT

SHOP IS NOW OPEN

ADDRESS: CAVE JUNCTION, OREGON - 97523

PHONE: (503) 592-2661

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