Tuesday, July 04, 2006

The Flying Concellos


Eddie Ward, Antoinette Concello and Art Concello.
I was once told that Mrs. Concello's triple was not a clean catch and when she came out of the last revolution her arms were folded across her chest and she was actually caught by her elbows, then at the end of the swing, dropped down, hand to hand.
Due to the closeness of the catch, the initial contact was always a slight collision and the man who told me this story said he carried a permanent bruise on his upper chest for the entire season.
In any event, it's a Hell of a trick.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The last time I saw Concello was in New York City's Shea stadium. At the round table sat Art Concello, Fred J. Podasta (of Madison Square Gardens, Jake and Jack Mills and Paul V. Kaye(of the Evansville fame). I beleive it was called a Thrill Circus. This show was the prelude that later on that year went partialy by rail, under the name of Circus Maximus. The year was 68' or 69' the elephants under the direction of Freddy Logan, assisted by Gibbs, Caroll, Hall and Kline they're were nine in total,( Barbara, Kay, Hattie, Mary, Minnie, Virginia, Marie, Shirly and Ione. Minnie I beleive is still being employed by Paul Kaye in Evansville.

Anonymous said...

Slick Valentine caught Raymond's triples like this. While we're at it, we should remember that Raymond threw his triples blindfolded.

Anonymous said...

"THE ST.VALENTINE'S BLINDFOLD"

I toured with a small tented circus for a short time owned by a gent by the name of Charlie keohler. Under the title of The Dixiana Circus around Houston, Tx area. During this time I got the oppurtunity to visit with a man who ran a second hand junk shop of which the rafters were built out of some unguarded circus seat stringers. It was Bill Valentine Sr.. He could have been Jimmy Reynolds long lost brother. His grandson is Raymond Valentine ( aka blindfolded flyer). I also remember a juggler that juggled all sorts of objects but never more than 3 objects at a time. His nickname was Three Balls Benson (aka Turtle Benson),who also juggled 3 fire torches blindfolded. Now there comes a time for all to face reality on the subject of blindfolds! There really isn't a Mr.Coffee! However, the Easter Bunny , Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are a whole other thing!
P.S.
Annette Concello was a good looking gal and a hooded blindfold wasn't needed.

24-HOUR-MAN said...

I really don't believe there was any connection between Circus Maximus, & the Shea Stadium Show, Circus Maximus was the effort of Paul Kaye, & Jim Harkins,(spl?), and was Backed by 3 businessmen from Chicago, I think one named Gillette, was the new owner of the Globetrotters. To tell you how much the performers thought of Paul, there wasn't time to issue contracts, and the acts drove from Florida to Portland on Paul Kaye's word.

Anonymous said...

To: 24-hour-man,
You could be right, however, during the New York date dealings were discussed in regaurds to the show in question(Circus Maximus). Coincindences and assumptions I have been guilty of in the past, however, I will tax my fading brain cells and research the matter in an illfated attempt to defend my honor.

Anonymous said...

Bill, I believe the Gillette you mentioned was George Gillette.