Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Last performance Memphis, TN


Last performance Memphis, TN, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 8/18/2009 05:57:00 AM

6 comments:

Buckles said...

At this point the elephants and ponies were already property of the Ringling Show.
Johnny told me that their first official task was to make a slight detour on their way to Venice and present the animals in the Macy's Parade.
The next stop was Ruskin, Florida where they stopped briefly at our place to clean up before making the triumphal entry into the confines of the Greatest Show on Earth.
I asked Frankie Braun how he thought he would like the Ringling Show and he said, "This time tomorrow I'll be on my way back to Baraboo, in the empty elephant truck!"
About a week later I drove down there to see how things were going and Johnny led me to the furthermost area of winter quarters, in a corner behind the ring barn where he had cobbled up a practice ring for his stock, the elephants had already been absorbed into Gunther's herd.
We went into the Arena and watched a bit of the Blue Show rehearsal and immediately got yelled at by Barstow for daring to speak while he was giving instructions to the cast.

18 August, 2009 07:26
Jack Ryan said...

I well remember getting up at 4am on that Thanksgiving Day to be with John and Mary Ruth, representing RB&BB, at the Macy's parade.

My memory ain't the best but, Mary Ruth, I think you did the dog act in the street in front of Macy's Herald Square store for the network TV coverage?

One thing I do remember with certainty: it was VERY early and VERY cold!

18 August, 2009 13:00
johnny said...

Thats Toby in front. Still a backbone of the Red Show herd. She worked in our elephant, pony and dog act and did an excellent hind leg walk.

19 August, 2009 09:26
Anonymous said...

Baraboo lost the friendliness and appeal of a bonafide family circus when the Herriotts left town. While many performers came and went, all fine people, no single family grouping ever made quite the same impact.

19 August, 2009 09:31
johnny said...

Yes Jack. We did set up our portable ring curb in front of Macy's and worked both the dog and pony act and the 12 pony liberty. An Olympic Gymnast and some singers and dancers were part of the pre-parade network TV show with Joe Gargiola. Shocking to us was Joe announced and now direct from "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" John and Mary Ruth Herriott and we hadn't been with the show as yet.

19 August, 2009 09:35
Jack Ryan said...

Johnny,

Just call that a press agent being a press agent. I wrote the script for the Ringling announcements. Didn't figure you'd mind us jumping the gun a bit. :)

And, Joe Garagiola did read it well.

19 August, 2009 18:08

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