 Dutch and Gracie Orton, his real name was Verne Lidke and their sway pole act became so well known that he had the logos "The Sensational Ortons" and "Swing and Sway the Orton Way" copywritten under his own name. Consequently after their divorce Gracie was unable to use either phrase in relation to the aerial acts she continued on with.  |
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
The Sensational Ortons #2
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6 comments:
Grandma Sylvia told me along time ago, (I can't remember who)that one of her aunt's or sister's husband fell either on the high wire or trapeze and hit his jugular vein and died. Who was this? Anyone know? Also Who is Gracie in relation to Sylvia? Iv'e been printing out a trillion pictures and making a scrapbook on the Orton's Circus I want to get it all straight and accurate. Thanking you in advance! Diane Richardson
the use of family names in acts as a legal dispute reminds me of the Wallenda feuds of a few years ago
It is very common in Pre Nups that the female does not keep the mans name if they divorce. I always just kept my maiden name anyway. Saves time and money. With my ADD I did not have to remember their names.
Diane, if you return to the picture of the 15 Orton kids lined up and start from the left: #3 Sadie, #5 Arlene, #7 Vera, #10 Sylvia, #13 Gracie and #14 Lester were all brother and sisters and directly related to you.
I believe your grandmother was the last survivor of this group.
Another dispute over names had Lucio Cristiani, Gilda, and company riding as the Franconis on the '64 Beatty show. I never knew what the conflict was about.
Vernon's name is correctly spelled Liedtke. He was my husband's uncle as well as his personal hero.
Vernon died when a guy wire failed while he was practicing during the off season. Jill Liedtke
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