| This one is 1949, I recognize the spec float at right. 1948 was the first time I saw the Great Unus perform, all three acts were adorned in the color purple and Merle Evans band played "Deep Purple". Sixty years ago, almost to the day and I remember it as tho it were yesterday. |
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
From Donovan Glyn #3
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5 comments:
Is that Alberto? I believe the Zoppe troupe began appearing in the GSOE in 1949. I'll see Alberto in a few weeks, I'll ask him.
Also arriving with the Zoppe Troupe were brother and sister, Cuccilo and Netta (Dubsky) MacMahon.
Oh what the heck, let's continue ~
Alberto was married to Jenny Wallenda and their children are Tino Wallenda Zoppe and Delilah Troffer (sp?). Tino's wife, Olinka's parents (Erna and Henry) are members of the Valla-Bertini unicycle troupe. Delilah's son, Nicolas, is currently working with Bello's split revolving wheel on the Red Unit.
Alberto is married to former DOT RECORDS recording star, Sandy Taylor who's big hit, "With Every Beat of My Heart" was debuted in the early 60's.
Alberto and Sandy's children are: Carla, Tosca and Giovanni.
At one time Carla had her all-girl riding act at Circus World, Tosca appeared in the movie Barnum (Charlton Heston?) and just completed the summer season with Circus Flora. Giovanni and his loop-the-loop can be anywhere in world by tomorrow, according to his advertisement.
There's more talented members of the family, but I'll save it for my book.
This is one of the great balancing acts of our times, "Franklin & Astrid", she is now Mrs. Johnny Yong of another great balancing acr, "The Yong Brothers"!
Thank you, Bill.
To clarify -- Carla Zoppe was at Circus World Museum and not Circus World in Florida.
Buckles,
I agree that this photo is from 1949.
However the airplane float was not actually a spec float but rather a clown prop.
The clowns did an act where they were in the rings being clowns and then the airpkane jeep came in and wisked them away to the airport.
Also was a good plug for American Airlines.
This airplane jeep was used in 1949,50,51 & 52. In 1953 the jeep was used for the platform for Mister Misten and then in 1954 it was made into a Rocket Ship for Pinito del Oro and the "Rocket to the Moon" aerial ballet.
Dom
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