Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Andrew Downie


Mr. Downie (McPhee) came from a Rep Show background and was half owner of the Downie & Wheeler Circus 1911-13, later was full owner of a show he named after his wife, LaTena Circus 1914-17 (Barbara's father Ruben Ray was with this show) and from 1918-24 leased the Walter L. Main title. When he sold out in in 1925 he had an outstanding elephant act (put together by Bill Emory) which he sold to 101 Ranch Wild West and from that time on was referred to as the "Ranch Herd" "Babe", "Carrie", "Louie", "Joe" and "Jean".

Posted by Buckles at 5/02/2006 06:56:00 AM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks a little like "Here's Johnny" Carson.

02 May, 2006 10:03
Anonymous said...

Only a half-coincidence, there's a musical/mystery called "The Sawdust Circle" that centers on a MacFee's Traveling Show. The drama got good reviews, while the performers were panned, at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival, with the suggestion the play should be sold to a larger company with singers who could sing.

It's nothing at all to do with today's subject, so far as I know.

Too-theatrical circus themes may be a problem, but plays about circus life are a form of durable publicity for the traditions. No idea where to find the script, but maybe you have readers in Scotland.
Lotliza

02 May, 2006 11:08
Buckles said...

As you probably know, as young men the Ringlings first effort in show biz was a Music Hall show in the early 1880's featuring their talents as musicians, singers, dancers, comedians, etc.
Someone wrote a musical about this period in their lives called "The Boys from Baraboo" it loosely duplicates that show but includes backstage conversations showing their disappointment in the way things were going and the possibility of taking out a circus.
In the finale of the piece they have decided in favor of the sawdust ring and all ends well. I saw this done in the Al Ringling Theater by a local theater group, the music was good, the setting was perfect and as far as I know it is still performed today.

02 May, 2006 11:45

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