F. Beverly Kelly (From Jack Ryan)

Scan11447, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. When I was preparing the Souvenir Program Book for Ringling's 100th Anniversary edition, I asked the legendary press agent, the late Bev Kelley, to contribute a "memory piece." Bev did a great job. Here's an excerpt from that article that addresses the "what makes a star" discussion. Looking back is asking John Ringling, last of the founding brothers, what some of our headliners -- the Codonas on the flying trapeze; Lillian Leitzel, solo aerialist; Con Colleano with his marvelous Spanish dances and original forward somersault on the tightwire; The Cristiani bareback riders; Clyde Beatty in the steel arena with the big cats; the breathtaking Wallendas on the high wire and Dorothy Herbert doing the waltzing rear on the hippodrome track with her black stallion -- what they had that other skilled performers didn't have, "What's the extra something?" The tall, quiet man answered in one word: "Fire." Through all the years and all the stars, I never have heard a better word for the rare and elusive magic that puts bubbles in the blood of an audience. Fire. If you have a copy of the 100th Anniversary program, Bev's entire article, "The Way It Looks Back There," is timeless and well worth a read. Best wishes, Jack Ryan