Buckles Blog

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

From Wade Burck #3

scan0100_(2), a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The third and fourth picture is myself practicing the single act with Tina under the watchful eye of John Cuneo in 1976.

From Wade Burck #4

scan0101_(2), a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The bare chested guy standing to the right is Larry Allen Dean who groomed for us for a short time.

From Wade Burck #5

scan0033, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Evansville 2004 still under the watchful eye of John Cuneo 28 years later.

From Wade Burck #6

1908%20a, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Buckles,
Here is a picture that is a mate to the one Army sent you, supposedly form 1908. Maybe RJR can identify them. He was probably there. :)

From Mark Rosenthal #1

!cid_491A5E10-9811-4C20-B093-97F6B6D068DD@gateway_2wire by bucklesw1

!cid_491A5E10-9811-4C20-B093-97F6B6D068DD@gateway_2wire, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Jack Badal sent me this photo…not sure how he acquired it…a copy?
of Jumbo II 1935 in Rochester Indiana winter quarters for Cole Bros Circus, featuring Clyde Beatty

From Mark Rosenthal #2

!cid_DF62F1C5-C215-4032-942B-DDF575993D69@gateway_2wire by bucklesw1

!cid_DF62F1C5-C215-4032-942B-DDF575993D69@gateway_2wire, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Another picture from Jack Badal (worked at Lincoln Park, Brookfield and Los Angeles zoo) who received this from Slim Lewis…I assume you have seen this photo of "Ziggy" more than once but thought i would share it. I had the opportunity while at Lincoln Park to bring Slim in for a lecture. I video taped his presentation…

From Buckles

SAVE1984, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

During our stay at Medinah Temple I would go doen to the Zoo and check out the old gentleman.
I was tempted to jump over the railing and straighten him out but never got around to it.
Cliff Jones gave me a chunk of his ivory which they would sometimes find when they cleaned up. I still have it.

From Richard Reynolds

Reynolds%2001, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

"Fritzi", "Mitzi" and "Ziggy" at the 1935-36 California Pacific Exposition in Balboa Park.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

From Chic Silber

GLDCLWN1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Hi Buckles

Here is my prized Gold Clown & that's a 1 sheet

of our Providence premier hanging next to it

More Monte Carlo (From Chic Silber)

MCRC1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

More Monte Carlo #2

MCRC2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

More Monte Carlo #3

MCPARTS, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

More Monte Carlo #4

MCTOUR1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

More Monte Carlo #5

MCTOP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Dave Price

CLgraceK, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

In May of 1961, Rainier and Grace caught the Beatty-Cole show in her home town- Philly.

From Craig Walker

Ringling train 2011 craig walker, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Ringling Train 2011

From Mike Naughton

Herriott%20Trained%20Animal%20Circus%20Tent by bucklesw1

Herriott%20Trained%20Animal%20Circus%20Tent, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Thought you'd be interested in this photo of Herriott's Trained Animal Circus taken in at the Orange County Fair in Middletown, New York, circa mid 1980's.
Herriotts had a very long route of fairs; the show worked rain or shine which delighted the fair managers, especially on those drizzly days.

From Buckles

04-02-2012 11;09;29PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

This is my dad training "Anna May" to roll a globe in 1950 at the Hugo Quarters with Smokey looking on.
He had her carry a flag and wave it at one point.
He continued this trick several years after we had our own act and even had "Lydia" roll it for a while. I was glad to see it go since I had to load and unload all that stuff.
"Emma" in Oscar Cristiani's act rolled a globe well into adulthood.
I once saw a video of and act with African elephants in a Russian circus rolling globes freely around in a dirt ring.

That's Entertainment!

photo, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Only in Showbiz two weeks and already developing bad habits.
Constantly underfoot while I'm at the computer as seen here eyeballing Shannon.
Might change his name to "Hunchie".

Monday, April 02, 2012

Syracuse Shrine Circus #1 (From Vincent Manero)

Syracuse_1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Hello Mr Woodcock,

Inclosed some pictures of the Tigris Shrine Circus in Syracuse, NY and of the Alladin Shrine Circus
in Columbus, OH.

Syracuse Shrine Circus #2

Syracuse_2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The Jordan World Circus produced a good show in Syracuse, NY at the Fairgrounds. George Carden's
Elephants Vicky, Betty and Tory were presented by Billy Morris and his wife. Nice wardrobe and headpieces.

Syracuse Shrine Circus #3

Syracuse_3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

On the
picture from the L to the R : me, Billy Morris and Don Kowell from Syracuse, NY. The Elephants are Vicky and Betty.

Columbus Shrine Circus #1 (From Vincent Manero)

Columbus_1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Good crowds at the Aladdin Shrine Circus produced by the Hamid Circus Inc. The Elephants were presented by Brian
Franzen. It's impressive to see Okha walking on a ball.

Columbus Shrine Circus #2

Columbus_2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Columbus Shrine Circus #3

Columbus_3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

On the picture : Shriley Hamid, me and James Hamid Jr.

Tonight will meet the « Dragons » on RBBB Blue Unit and then will take the plane for the last dates in the Palmetto
State and the Sunshine State !

Monte Carlo Tour (From Jerry Digney)

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D13 by bucklesw1

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D13, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Irvin and Kenneth, late 70s.

Just ran across this story from 33 years ago, White Tops, brought back many memories!

After heading up PR for Circus World, then the Red & Blue, and then the Feld-acquired Ice Follies-Holiday on Ice combine, my last assignment for RBBB was helping launch the Monte Carlo show 33 years ago. Of course, both Felds and Allen Bloom were pre-occupied with this for much of 1978--and our advance promo resources were stretched to the max as we had ice shows also on the road and 2 circus units.

From Jerry Digney #2

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D1A by bucklesw1

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D1A, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

MC Show opened in 79--and the winter prior I believe we all went to Monaco for the actual festival, here with John North, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, Cary Grant, Sean Connery etc,--unforgettable! Terry

From Jerry Digney #3

original, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

We spent time with TV star Telly Savalas (KOJAK) who hosted a Feld-produced CBS TV special on the festival—one night all the promo team (Billy Powell was there) and Allen had dinner with him at the Hotel de Paris.

From Jerry Digney #4

MC_1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Here are scenes from the world premiere, Providence opening--I think Mike Sawicky did the promo and me and Nini Finkelstein did the PR for the opening.

Tickets were an unbelievable $5, $6, $7!

From Jerry Digney #5

MC_2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

The public never caught on as the show was truly "ahead of its time" and the marketing never connected with an audience--too, too bad! Sorry the show got shelved so early in its run, ending up, as i recall, as a Summer attraction at the then-struggling Circus World.

From Jerry Digney #6

MC_3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

What a great line up; every act was center ring-worthy.

The great Gene Mendez on the wire; the Eotvos clowns--amazing--also their BAR act; Karoly Donnert's animal acts--great; the Richters and their fabulous elephant act--wonderful; Brian Fossett's chimps--superb; Luis Munoz--a true ladie's man and fantastic wire walker/showman; the Duo Dobritch--perch--and of course SERGIO, our FRENCH ringmaster, who for years also announced the Monte Carlo Circus Festival and toured with Circus Jean Richard (Jean Richard was also a famous French actor and comedian). Elvin Bale and Jeanette were also on the show with the cannon, wheel act and single trapeze(?) but for some reason they're not pictured. also on the bill were the Albarracines doing cradle and their kids, the Wee Gets, doing risley--all terrific.

From Jerry Digney #7

MC_4, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Jerry Digney #8

MC_5, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

I believe Roland Kaiser had the concessions--and the always-affable Bobby Johnson was along, too. Lloyd Morgan, Sr. helped build the show which came with a proscenium style backdrop and a giant screen.

if you never saw this show--you really missed one of the truly great circus shows!

From Jerry Digney #9

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D0C by bucklesw1

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D0C, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Yes, Gerard Soules did this heel catch act before Elvin, but Elvin, on Ringling, was simply spectacular—a showman’s showman!

From Jerry Digney #10

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D05 by bucklesw1

!cid_817463601@30032012-2D05, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Jerry Digney #11

MC_RICHTERSMAY179, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

May 1, 1979, Detroit, The Richters walking their three elephants from the train to the building.

From Buckles #1

04-01-2012 06;16;43PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Buckles #2

04-01-2012 06;39;37PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

From Hal Guyon #1

Cole%20Bros%203-2012%20005, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

Good Morning Everyone.
It was a beautiful 80 degree & sunny day on a good solid grassy lot last week at The Municipal Airport in Florence, SC as I along with my son and two grandkids attended the 4:30 performance of Cole Bros Circus ! The tent was only about 1/3 full but everyone in attendance really enjoyed a great show. and I understand that advance sells were better for the night show. After Ringmaster Cris Connors introduced himself and the Presentation of Colors and The National Anthem the show got started. Judit & Juergen Nerger had The Hawthorn Tiger act with 10 cats 1 white and 9 standard yellow. The act seemed to move a little slow but was still very good. Bermudez Wheel of Destiny was thrilling followed by Tim Frisco & daughter with Baby Val from the Carson & Barnes heard. The other outstanding acts where, Hair Hang with Wendy & Petya, Abuhadba Family Poodles, Cretu Troupe teeterboard, Thunderdrome with the globe splitting apart, Aerial Ballet featuring Lena & Lana with one on silks and the other working with a net. Tim Frisco had the elephant act with the Carson & Barnes bulls which was very good and fast paced. Show closed with Jos`e Bermudez Cannon and Parade of Stars. Clown spots were the Escaped Gorrilla & Breakaway Taxi. All in all the show was really good but I was somewhat disappointed that there was no Flying act. Concession prices were not bad considering today`s pricing with Cokes, Popcorn, & Floss at $5.00, Sno Cones $4.00 for regular & $8.00 in a lighted cup, Most novelties ran anywhere form $10 - $15. Anyway I talked with Tim Frisco for a good while but only got a second with Johnny Pugh, he really stays on the go and looks to be doing well. Show leaves Florence and heads to Ladson (North Charleston) SC for the weekend then on to Myrtle Beach starting on Monday April 1st. Attached are several of the 70 or so pictures I took, enjoy !!