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Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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16 comments:
One of the true legends among aerialists. I saw him work with his sisters, and later as a solo, closing act star. The incline ascent and descent was dreamed up by Johnny North, and the music was "Impossible."
Correct me if I'm wrong.........But, wasn't the music written for the Pinto del Oro aerial number in the early 1950's? You are correct it was used later for ALZANA highwire act when he was doing a single....We used "IMPOSSIBLE" as the closing piece of music at the conclussion of the Harold ALZANA Davis Memorial Service in Sarasota. So,I do know for a fact we were the last to use "IMPOSSIBLE" in honor of Harold...Wasn't a dry eye at Robarts Funeral home. Jackie LeClaire, Kenny Dodd and I arranged the service...The actual music was from a recording from a live performance in Madison Square Garden. Izzy Cervone, Band Director. Would like to see more comments on "Impossible."
From Eric:
According to the 1955 Ringling program IMPOSSIBLE was the "1955 theme song of the Greatest Show on Earth." It was used in the aerial ballet ON HONOLULU BAY featuring Pinito Del Oro. Alzana was not on the show that year, however, it was later used as ascent and descent music for his act. In 1959, Izzy Cervone also used Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor" for Alzana's ascent/descent music and it proved most effective.
One thing about Harold, good music, bad music, no music, no matter what the circumstances, this was "Mr Cool", nothing bothered him.
On the Orrin Davenport Show the prop crew had a thing for lowering our Aerial Bar rigging, stripping the guylines off and supposedly flying it out of the way. In Cleveland it was laying across the walk up wire, while everyone else was doing the headless chicken Harold walked up, went under the rigging, took a couple of steps, & climbed over the other side, and finished his ascent.
I visited RBB in both '60 and '61, and believe "Impossible" was used for Alzana both years, as though it had become his theme song. About this time, a fine article appeared about him in Argosy Magazine, I think it was. I'm trying to find my copy.
When I saw Pinito Del Oro, I was oblivious to her music. I was about 8 or 9, and she provided me fantasies when I didn't know little boys had fantasies. Mine was to run off and marry this beautiful star of the high trapeze.
As I recall, at one time they played "La Paloma" (The Dove) for Miss Del Oro, very fitting.
Araceli Baumann was a good friend of hers and mentioned to me, that after retirement she became a school teacher in Barcelona.
From Eric:
In 1950, Merle Evans used "La Golondrina" (the dove) for Pinto del Oro.
One of the businesses biggest egos, who will remain nameless told me once that Alzana had no style. When I was on a show with him I never missed his performance, for one thing he had a crazy balance that always gave the illusion he would never make it across the wire. When he reached the other side he would collapse in exhaustion, & relief at having made it through the routine, & held the audience in his hand, without even taking a bow.
I'm not trying to put anyone down, we've seen a lot of classy, stylish, charismatic, high wire walkers, but in my book Harold Alzana was "the" one.
The last I knew of Pinito Del Oro, a guy at the late Hertzberg Collection had an address for her in Venice, Italy, in the mid-1990's. An obscure item in the Jan-Feb, 1953, WHITE TOPS, claims she was legally named Maria Gomez.
What testimony it is to an indelible star, that over 50 years later, an ardent admirer can return to the memories she created for an enchanted small boy.
While on the subject of aerial ballet music, the song that Merle Evans used for Pinito Del Oro during the "Luawana" ballet in 1951 was "Pagan Love Song".
It was written by Arthur Freed and Nachio Herb Brown for the 1950 MGM musical "Pagan Love Song" starring Esther Williams and Howard Keel.
An interesting side note to the 1955 aerial ballet music is the fact that Columbia Records issued 2 45rpm records of the songs "Impossible" and "On Honolulu Bay".
"Impossible" was by Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye and his orchestra and chorus. "On Honolulu BAy" was by Mithch Miller and his orchestra and chorus. Both interesting versions of these two great songs.
Dom Yodice
She may have retired from two careers. The last I knew of her, an archivist at the late Hertzberg Collection had an address for her in Venice, Italy, in the mid-1990s.
An obscure item in the January-February, 1953, WHITE TOPS, claims her legal name is Maria Gomez.
What a testament to this indelible star that over 50 years later, her image takes an admirer back in memory to the imagination of an enchanted, small boy.
Howard Keel's cousin is a client of mine. Pets name was REX. Just thought I would throw that in. Another client lived next door to him in Teluride Colorado. Howard had the best behaved Schnausers I have ever seen.
Speaking of music and rejoiceing, is everyone singing along and rejoiceing over the death of one of our circus elephants?"JENNY" Thats what the management of the elephant sanctuary in TENN is doing. Really, Its on her web site. Makes you kind of sick doesn't it? If this is not WACKO I sure don't know what is. What else would you expect when the USDA was put in charge?
Speaking of Circus music and aerial acts that should remain nameless, once upon a time at Circus World the sway pole act entered to the song “Jesus Christ Supper Star.”
I was on Paul Kayes first Japan tour with my brother's bears. Harold was announced as "The undisputed champion High Wire walker of the world". As far as I (a former wire walker)am concerned he still is.Everyone on the show (Bobby Moore,Cristianis, Norbu etc) watched him every day. The only thing that could stop him was bubble juice spilled on his platform. Once that got on his shoes he had to stop.
Mark Horton
Forgive my two comments similar in content. I composed the first one, and when I clicked on "publish", something flashed and sent me to the screensaver. I thought I'd been vanished, and tried again, resulting in the duplicate entry. Most unsettling for a weary, washed-up cagehand.
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