Monday, April 29, 2013

2009 Calendar #25



Performers with midget clown, RBBB, 1955,

Posted by Buckles at 4/29/2013 06:34:00 AM

4 comments:

JACKIE said...

The midget is Harry Klima, who at one time was carried across on his head in the Naieto act. He had come over with his friend Carl Stephans in a large Midget acrobatic act.

29 April, 2013 22:14
Roger Smith said...

Thank you,JACKIE. I was thinking Sonny Reilly, but am glad for the ID. I met Mr. Klima, Reilly, and Carl Stephens, and on the Castle show, trouped with another midget Ringling alum, Jimmy Armstrong.

30 April, 2013 17:37
JACKIE said...

You must mean John RieI ly. He later worked with Bobby Nelson with his pig act, if that is the Riley I knew. I think he came into clowning from Ringstock. Always with a cigar in this mouth and a real good guy.

30 April, 2013 22:16
John Herriott said...

Jackie your comment brought back an rarely used part of my brain-memory. I do believe that Bobby Nelson was on RBBB a short time with a pig act. So interesting is that his mother was Adele Nelso of acro fame and she was married to elephant trainer Louie Reed for many years, until his death. However she had a son prior to marrying Reed and he would be known as Bobby Nelso [never adopted]. Father unknown I believe. But being that reed was predominent for some time training alot of elephants for RBBB in later years and having been very predominent on American Circus Corp., later acquired by RBBB would suggest a tie in Ringling andBobbys Pig act. Now I believe that Reed became acquainted with her when they both trouped On Sparks Circus in twenties and a similar tie later with Sells-Floto, but Bobby must have been born prior to that time. I recall Bobby on INDOOR DATES {Polack, etc.] and later his nephew or cousin Paul Cole Horse trainer and sister of Owner Terrel wife ,nee Estrelkla Nelson would dabble in Pig act from Bobby's influence. Its all very interesting and fun to sort out. We know when Paul left after many years with Cole his first stop would be Daiky Bros. where Reed was predominent elephant trainer. So our circus history goes round and round. Maybe historians or circus folk in the Know would comment on this. Thanks for reading this long winded comment but it whet my appitite. Also since the basketbalk player came out of the closet I could suggest that Bobby was known for sexual preference. johnny

01 May, 2013 09:41

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