Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Olde Tyme Friend #1 (From Paul Gutheil)


IMG_7206, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Al and Joyce Vidbel.

Posted by Buckles at 10/01/2008 06:15:00 AM

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is it that this couple could make a success of "olde tyme" when such adjectives usually bring derision in today's culture?

01 October, 2008 11:39
Mike Naughton said...

At the height of their success they had a top-notch booking agent, Al Meredith, that was well versed in their touring territory.
The show was not pretentious, it had a strong line-up that was presented in a professional manner that resonated with the public.
The public liked the show, the sponsor made money with the show and The Vidbels were always welcomed back.
They could have called the show, "Al and Joyce and all their friends Circus" and they still would have sold tickets.
Olde Tyme didn't work against them; the underlying factor was "value". The public received a great value for their money and the sponsor received great value for their efforts in bringing Vidbels to town.
It is that simple.

I will miss Al and his stories.

01 October, 2008 12:27
Wade G. Burck said...

Paul,
I think it has a lot to do with how they spelled "old time" Circus. When you buy something such as popcorn or gun, as an example and it is called "Olde Tyme" popcorn or "Olde Tyme" Taffy, it makes you think of stuff you had when you were a child, not the same "old" stuff that has been sitting in the bag or on the counter for 100 years.
What is a "success" the person who was a Boxer, or the person who became Heavy Weight Champion?
I hope all is well,
Wade Burck

01 October, 2008 12:32
Mike Naughton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
01 October, 2008 12:49
Anonymous said...

Friend Mike's comments are very apt and I might add one other comment or two...they always left the lot in cleaner and better shape than they found it.

Another happy memory from when I/we
were younger and healthier...we'd be sitting around watching teardown and Al & Joyce would be working as hard as anyone. Al would see me sitting taking pictures and call out, "Hey! Circus Fan! How about lending a hand." So I gave the to cameras to Diane and lent a hand and rarely had to be asked again.

Thanks Al & Joyce for this and so
much more.

Vidbels Circus had some of the best clowning on the road at the end of the last century...and any number of acts that had appeared with or would appear with the likes of RBBB, Hanneford, Big Apple and others. Ringmasters were also a plus for the Vidbels.

My hometown, Glen Rock, NJ hadn't had a circus since the Hoxie show in the seventies. The local photo
store that did all my circus photos asked about a circus for a fundraiser. I immediately told them about Al & Joyce. Vidbel's appeared in town for four of the next five years...that other year for whatever reason they did a street fair...boring.

Bless this blog,

Paul G.

01 October, 2008 13:58
Anonymous said...

I am deeply saddened to hear that Al passed away. He and Joyce were close friends with my mom for decades. When Gee Gee retired her Husky act she sold the props to Al and Joyce for Sharon.

Seems like all the great old show bums are gonna have a party looking down at the rest of us. I am sure that Al, Mom, Rex and others are hoisting a cold one and cutting up jackpots.

God bless them all.

Bill Powell

01 October, 2008 22:35
Anonymous said...

Being a part of the Vidbel show for just over six years, was not only an honor...but also some of the best years of my life.

The one word that is used to describe this circus, by everyone who has ever seen this show, is always... "magical".

There was an incredible chemistry on this show that was amazing to be a part of. If you had the honor of touring with the Vidbels, you know what I am talking about.

Al and Joyce had a dream to have this beautiful big top circus that would showcase their love for this business that we are in...and they achieved their dream. And along the way, they helped fulfill the dreams of some people like myself.

I owe a lot to the Vidbel family, and they will always hold a special place in my heart.

-Dan McCallum

02 October, 2008 01:32
Anonymous said...

Mike; so well said !

Vidbel's " Ole Tyme Circus "
A Small 1 Ring Tent Show & a Real BIG Fine Jewel of the Circus Realm .
There Inviting , Friendly , Pristine Show & its Environment Enchanted Me , making it so difficult to " Leave its Lot ".

02 October, 2008 09:49

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