Wednesday, March 22, 2017

#2 RB 50's


5 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Richard "Dick" Barstow

with feathered females

Sarasota WQ rehearsals

Chic Silber said...


His gold whistle was from

Ole Olsen & Chic Johnson's

Hellzapoppin on Broadway

Roger Smith said...

This photo has historical rarity. Richard Barstow actually smiling in a photo with two showgirls, instead of shrieking at them over that loudspeaker behind him.

Chic Silber said...


Richard was not always

a screaming banshee Roger

I was able to get to know

him very well since 1960

in Summer Stock until his

death in 81 He had a soft

& gentle side & he was a

very creative director

& choreographer

Roger Smith said...

My authority remains Ernestine Clarke Baer, who was there to see them all come and go. She told of the insults and humiliations levied by Barstow, Barbette, and the one she labeled as the worst for this behavior, John Murray Anderson. Ernestine told us Johnny North gave these guys a free hand in mounting his production numbers, and each of them demonstrated themselves as petulant bullies. Of those who accomplished major numbers on the Ringling show, only Antoinette Concello achieved her displays as a competent, determined professional. She was exacting and demanding, but maintained a level, Ernestine testified, knowing you do not embarrass a performer into performance.