Buckles Blog: Surf Avenue Sideshow

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Anonymous said...: Coney Island had multiple side shows and I believe all three of the major enclosed parks, Luna, Steeplechase and Dreamland, either featured free circus acts in an open air ring or housed such activity within one of their structures. They hired some of the best talent, including May Wirth and other notable riding, aerial and animal acts. RBBB one-time manager Sam Gumpertz served as as Senator Reynolds' flunky at Dreamland in 1904 and didn't really make his mark until after the place burned in 1911. His CI background likely was the reason that the "Giraffe Necked Women" and the "Ubangis" ended up as RBBB features in the early 1930s. Seldom in American circus history were side show personalities ever the top show feature. James Taylor has published an entire special issue about CI side shows in his "Shocked and Amazed" series.; 23 August, 2007 09:44
Anonymous said...: That would Be "Shocked and Amazed" Vol.7... To get a copy...Go to: Atomic Books..1100 W.36th St. Baltimore MD. 21211 or call..(410)-662-4444.. or go to..www.atomicbooks.com JZ.The Back-End Showman; 24 August, 2007 15:17

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