Thursday, October 01, 2009

Cristiani Elephant spoof Columbus 1969

"Another shot taken at the show party. I'm sure the the lovely Marion laughed as much as anyone".
Buckles

13 comments:

CMC said...

I loved the photo!!! I'd also love to know who did the "take off" on my Mommy and Daddy's act! I'm sure both my parents loved watching it!!
Carin Cristiani

Jimmy Cole said...

That would be Ringmaster Lucky Larabee as "Oscar Cristiani" and I believe that was Mr. (don't recall his first name) Navarro as the lovely Marion.

Yes, Both Oscar and Marion got a big laugh out of seeing themselves in this spoof! In fact, I'm sure that Marion helped design the wardrobe!

J.C. Hall said...

Bobby Gibbs use to say, Quote,
You could give that Marion Cristiani
two empty egg cartons and a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and she will make a costume out of it.

PS."Hi Carin"

J.C. Hall said...

Mr. "Jimmy Cole"
I think that's "Lee Keener"??

Jimmy Cole said...

Jimmy Hall, Wrong... 3 rings of elephants on that date, Cristiani, Gibbs & Herriott with CWM elephants.

That is Col. Lucky Larabee.

Wade G. Burck said...

Jimmy Cole,
Jesus!!!!! Do you know what you just said????
Wade Burck

Jim A said...

Does look like Lee Keener but El Larabee played the role of Oscar. If the Diano elephants were there (as they often were) I think Jimmy and Fredricka O'Dell presented them in the late 60s. One of the elephants was Paul Duke.

J.C. Hall said...

To'Jimmy Cole
Before I debate any further on the "Lee Keener" "Lucky Larabee' "bout"
Are you C.F.A., C.M.B.Inc.or C.H.S.
I must know just what I am up against
"Or all three"????????????????????

Jimmy Cole said...

Jim A, Lee Keener had the Diano Elephants as of 1965.

Jim H, I am CFA & CHS.

I was on that '69 Columbus date as a part time groom for Herriott and also worked on the prop dept. for Casey Gibbs. Normally such partys were for performers only, however Herriott got me an invite on the condition that I brought my camera, and that I would remember who played who 40 years later on Buckle's blog site just in case you ever dared to argue with me! LOL

Jimmy Cole said...

Buckles, maybe you can refine this history of who had the Diano elephants and when.

I do recall Lee Keener working a 3 act of Diano elephants in Oct. 1965 on a Castle date in Utica, NY.
I also recall Jimmy O'Dell having 2 elephants from Ralph Dietch in the 1966 season. Somewhere in that '66 - '67 era, the two Dietch elephants (Minnie & Dolly?) got sold to Diano, Lee Keener parted company with Diano, and Jimmy O'Dell was hired and had the Diano 5 act during the '67 - '68 season. However Lee Keener was back as elephant Capt. with Diano from 1970 on.

tanglefoot herriott said...

Yes we were there with Bobby Gibbs and Oscar and that is the time when Bobby gave me a pair of sunglasses and he wore a pair and we all had on sunglasses in the display and Oscar never noticed. At that party Bobbie and Uncle Heavy did a parody of Zacchini double canon in red lon underwear and bathing caps on. It was a scream and Lucio did a parody with a couple guys of a seal act. Lucio was a funny guy. Lots of great memories. For the mix-up routine of my twelve pony act Bobby secretly changed the number plates on the harness. What a disaster.

Heidi Herriott said...

I remember one of the legendary Columbus parties well... the one my dad mentioned where Uncle Heavy and Bobby Gibbs did the cannon act. I don't think I will ever forget it!

Jim A. said...

Jimmy Cole, I haven't a file on who worked what when, just an ocassionally faulty memory. Now I'm glad some have real records. I do have a photo of myself with Tommy (who doesn't) taken in 1966 in Cincinnati. Joe Frisco had his mixed cage act there from the Peoria Zoo were I was working. Johnny Herriott had the CWM animals and Jimmy O'Dell had the Diano 3.

I do appreciate your photos from that era, thanks for sharing. Those were the days. I'd make weekend trips in April from St. Louis to Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis for Castle's 5 ring show. Even got to see the legendary Gibbs-Kimes cannon.