From Jerry Digney #1

Shawn1A, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This ad (simple but attractive!) turned up later, is worth mentioning: Dick Shawn the talented comic (now pretty much forgotten) was the TV host in 1972. Here's a TV guide cover and also a story by TV writer Dan Lewis (The Sunday Record, northern New Jersey) who also interviewed the TV director (later a producer), Walter Miller, (age unknown), who directed many of the TV specials, up to 1990, when Nell Carter hosted the special. A little blurb on the prolific Miller: Producer Walter C. Miller is recognized as America’s leading live director and producer, with credits that include television’s top awards shows, such as the Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Tony Awards, American Comedy Awards, The Emmy Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. the 1972, 102nd edition was pretty straight forward--Many good acts, mostly from Eastern Europe and long forgotten in the business. Worth noting: This was Axel Gautier's first year with the elephant herd, although (surprisingly) a full page homage to Hugo on his retirement was included in the program; It was Pablo Noel's first season with his well-honed comedy lion act, one of the few years when multiple cat acts were presented; For the second year of the 102nd's tour, Tim Holst made his debut as ringmaster , after earlier outings as a clown (Tim, of course, would go on to experience a 38-year career with Ringling); (Worth noting: HAROLD RONK (1957, 1960 - 1968, 1969 - 1972, 1974 - 1976, 1978 - 1980), from all indications, made the first year tour of the 102nd edition and then took a year off, as he often did- Ronk was the Ringmaster of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in 1957 and from 1960-1968. When The Greatest Show On Earth began touring two separate units in 1969, Ronk joined the Blue Unit); It was Mattel's first year as owner of the circus so the toy company owning Handlers were now the top dogs!; Israel ("Izzy") Feld, Irvin's brother and co-business partner, died in Dec. 1972;