Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Clown Alley


Scan11341, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

7 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

Who can spot a very young Kenny Dodd in this picture before his Beatty Cole days????
Harry

Anonymous said...

Who played the Jargo?

The dwarf clown towards the right is identified in the Durant book as The Greta Bagonghi. he was a headliner on Barnum & Bailey in the 1910s, even had special paper advertising him.

Anonymous said...

I've always heard a "bagonghi" was a european term (maybe italian???) for dwarf or little person. Anyone else ever hear this?

Greg DeSanto

Anonymous said...

Kenny Dodd at right, Jimmy Douglas 2nd from right, and indeed, Bagonghi the midget clown. Pat Cashin will have to ring in with the others.

As a sidebar, Jimmy Douglas had an important collection of Taylor theatrical trunks, and despite many pleas from those wanting just one, since Taylor closed, I was assured Jimmy wouldn't part with a single copy. Does anyone know if this collection still exists somewhere?

Did I mention, ahem, that I now own one of Mabel Stark's trunks, a Schuessler--with 5 photos she thumbtacked on an inside lid? Now I know how Jimmy Douglas felt.

henry edgar said...

roger -- you also have something that's even more important: you have the memories of your friendship with both Miss Stark and Mr. Beatty. There are so few people left who knew either trainer well -- and because of their different styles i would guess that even in their heyday there were few people close to both legends at the same time. those are memories to treasure. and hopefully you will share memories of both in a book someday.

Anonymous said...

To Henry Edgar: Right now, I'm working on a documentary of Mabel Stark. I have a film school videographer ready to go, and the expertise of circus music historian Eric Beheim aboard. Others will become involved as progress continues. Wish us broken legs, and thanks for your encouragement.

Mike Naughton said...

Greg -

Yes, I have heard the same thing many times. Apparently a good luck charm with Italian shows.

This gentleman is with Cristiani and then Cuccilo came with the Alberto Zoppe troupe, when Cristiani's left Ringling.