Ringling Barnum FELIX ADLER TIPPING HAT(1956)

Ringling%20Barnum%20FELIX%20ADLER%20TIPPING%20HAT%20(1956), originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Chris Berry This familiar poster was used during the final appearance that Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey made under canvas in Philadelphia. After The Greatest Show on Earth was filmed at the Broad Street showgrounds in South Philly, the show returned to that lot in 1952 and '53. In 1954 Ringling-Barnum moved back to the more desirable Lighthouse Field, returned in 1955 and for the last time in May-June of 1956. As with much of the 1956 season, the stand in Philadephia was marred with problems. The circus trains were late in arriving from Washington and as the wagons started arriving on the lot, union organizers threw rocks at the canvasmen and others trying to set up the show. The late start delayed the matinee until 5pm. There was only one entrance to the lot and it was ringed with union pickets, intended to influence show patrons and effectively keeping union truck drivers away from not only the circus but also the carnivals and independent concessionaires set up on the midway. Memorial Day in 1956 was on Wed May 30 and although the show had great business over the holiday, the weather turned bad Thur May 31 and Fri June 1, keeping crowds away. Approximately six weeks later the big show folded its tents for the last time at the Heidelberg Race Track just outside of Pittsburgh.