Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Carl Sembach '67


Carl Sembach 67, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Mr. Sembach once came to Madison Sq. Garden to present Gunther
an award on behalf of the German Government. 1975?
Johnny Herriott said that it was only time her ever saw Gunther in a
nervous state. Not so much to be honored by his native land but to be
anointed by Carl Sembach was the ultimate honor.
Maybe Johnny or Sue or Henry could comment on this.

About this same time Axel Gautier paid me a visit at Circus World. He and Donna had just returned from a brief vacation in Europe
(Kenny Feld picked up the tab, Anniversary present as I recall).
Before he left, his brother in law Trolle Rhodin told him it was essential to visit Circus Krone at their Arena in Munich since most of the
circus people in Europe are related it was the proper thing to do.
It was a cold day when he arrived at the building and after entering
the foyer he presented his RBBB business card to a lady and asked
to see Mr. Sembach.. From his vantage point he watched her enter
office and caught a glimpse of a ruddy, distinguished looking gentleman
behind a desk as she handed him the card.
The lady returned shortly, handed Axel a program and said, "Mr.
Sembach is not available at the moment. Could you come back
later?"
Axel was still steaming over it. He said, "I traveled 5,000 miles to get
the brush off. It will be a long f------ time before I go over there again."

Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 8/04/2010 06:19:00 AM

5 comments:

Chic Silber said...

Wonder if that anniversary trip

was his consolation prize

04 August, 2010 06:33
Henry Schroer said...

you must have something mixed up because the award Gunter received was presented at the German Embassy by the German Ambassador. I am sure that Gunter wasn't nervous because of Mr. Sembach since he was nobody special in the German Circus world. His wife Frieda was actual the owner and the Boss of the show.

04 August, 2010 07:31
johnny said...

It was in Miami Beach and right at end of finale Rhodin introduced me as Perf. Dir. to Carl and Freida and red bearded Rolf Knie and asked if Gunther was in the bldg. I took them in the back hall and Gunther was just locking his dressing trailer and leaving. Introductions were made all in German and Sembach embraced Gunther. As we all departed Gunther and Seigrid invited Me an MR to their stateroom to celebrate the occasiob. While having refresh. Gunther Said, "How about that? He embraced me. In Germany I have to buy a Godamned ticket to see his show". I remarked that he was now the German boy who made a succrss in America and that they had no son and no doubt would love to have you do a triumphal return to the fatherland. Gunther replied that he was very happy with Irvin and RBBB and was content where he was.

04 August, 2010 08:17
tanglefoot herriott said...

A few years back Joe Bauer had the "Big Orange Circus" at the Fl. State Fair and I was rngmstr. One matinee Joe advised me that Cristal Sembach was in his bus and would come in the seats for the show. She did and I watched out of the side of my eye and she demonstrated no emotion during the perf. At the end she quickly got up and left. We felt maybe she would be gracious for a moment. No way hosay. In the Garden I introduced the entire Co. to Princess Grace in the back door area after finale and she shook hands and complemented everyone. I have a photo of the occasion.

04 August, 2010 08:25
tangefoot said...

The recently deceased great New York Yankees George Steinbrunner while doing a stint as Pres. of Florida state fair would frquently visit with us and cut up jackpots in the back yard of Hanneford circus at the FL. State Fair and family frquently in the seats. In fact Steinbrunner Foundation Sponsored the circus for a couple of years.

04 August, 2010 08:50

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