Thursday, September 25, 2008

Ringling Barnum MSG Posters (From Chris Berry)


Ringling Barnum MSG Posters, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


This is a photo of sideshow clown Pete "Poohba" Terhurne. After Ringling-Barnum abandoned its canvas for arenas they continued to have a menagerie and sideshow for the dates at Madison Square Garden, at least in 1957. In addition there was a special side show with various attractions for the Madison Square Garden dates in 1998, but can anyone weigh in on the last year that Ringling-Barnum had a full-blown menagerie and sideshow in New York?

Posted by Buckles at 9/25/2008 08:54:00 AM

4 comments:

Mike Naughton said...

When I was a kid I went to RBBB in the old Garden and saw a sideshow; I remember it like it was yesterday.

I asked Ward Hall and it was indeed him; I told him that Pete was on the last stage next to the wide walkway. He confirmed that Pete was indeed on the last stage.

That was 1962 and I was approaching my 6th birthday.

Ward also had a side show at another location for Irvin Feld. We should get Ward to tell us that tale.

25 September, 2008 10:41
Anonymous said...

Dors "Poohba" work for Waaed Hall today.

25 September, 2008 21:30
Anonymous said...

corr5cfet6ion - Does "Poohba" work for Ward Hall today?

26 September, 2008 11:11
Anonymous said...

Still does and probably always will. Ward was at the CHS convention this past week and recounted to some of us about his supplying the side show at MSG in the '60s. Little Pete was doing the sword ladder and selling his pictures while dressed as a little clown. Pat Valdo watched him for a long while and later asked him if he would like to join clown alley upstairs (the side show being in the MSG basement), thinking this would be a promotion for Pete. While not even asking the salary, Pete declined and when Valdo asked why, Pete explained he knew he wouldn't be able to sell his pitch cards upstairs.
Dick Flint
Baltimore

26 September, 2008 14:34

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)