| It was great to see the photos from Mr. Digney from Ringling '68. I was stationed overseas and missed the 1967 & 1968 shows in the Garden. Was able to see opening night in 1966 then the next day I shipped out to Naval Boot Camp. Came home on short leave to see Gunther's debut in 1969 then shipped out again. Was discharged in time to see the 1970 anniversary show. I have been lucky enough to see every Ringling show in the Garden from 1959 until today with the exception of 67 & 68. I did see the show in the early 50's but not consecutively. |
Monday, March 17, 2008
Ringling-Barnum 1951 (From Dominic Yodice)
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28 comments:
Dominic,
Were the Feld's involved with the show in the early 50's? Being a townie, I have a hard time keeping this circus history deal straight. I would be interested in a copy of that early GGW tape, that you mentioned in a past poste that you had.
Regards,
Wade Burck
wburck3@aol.com
Wade,
As far as I know the Feld's didn't come on the scene until Art Concello moved the show indoors in 1957.
They promoted several dates in 1957and the rest as they say is history
(depending on which history you believe).
Dom Yodice
Yes, Mr. Yodice is correct, 100 per cent.
In those days the country was divided into "unofficial regions" for various independent promoters of various touring shows.
These promoters knew their territory, their buildings and their media. At that time these buildings were mostly stark, utilitarian buildings and not at all swift about concession, parking and sky box revenue.
Since the Felds were savy about promoting the music acts it was good business to give them a few dates.
There was a letter at CWM-Baraboo from Super Show, Inc. (Feld) to JRN (no number) that outlined the terms of some dates: Feld to pay X amount to JRN, and Feld to get 50% of the concessions. It's been 20 years since I've seen that letter, I trust those details are correct.
as many others have already pointed out, the Feld organization became involved with Ringling in 1957 as promoters. there are two versions of history, but the one that is in fact accurate is that they did not become active in management until they, and the judge, purchased the circus in the late 1960s.
Dom,
Are you sure? You don't happen to have photos do you? I heard it was started by Irvin Feld so he could charge front house seat prices for back house seats.
What about the tape? Why are you hogging it? LOL
Regards,
Wade Burck
Speaking of tape....
I have not heard where I can send my cash for a copy of GGW's Monkey Roll/Greatest trick never seen.
All is well on the Mighty Kelly Miller Bros. 08 tour. Shorthanded the show is moving rite along as planned. Everyone jumping in where needed. Cat act doesn't even open the show, arena goes up easy enough, we erect it during the "brief" intermission. Aside from some poor weather conditions, it has been "GRAND".
i was in the army at the time, but my understanding was that this policy -- the end rings facing the back -- was inaugurated on beatty-cole in 1966, to keep people on the back side from feeling all they saw were the backs of performers. this was before the felds bought ringling. i don't remember when ringling made the change.
When we joined the show in the early seventies Mr. Feld made a declaration and it was choreographed in the show during rehearsals that all acts appearing in Rings One and Three [both end rings] would work to the other side [back side] and all props were set accordingly if need be. Also the opening acts and Finale act line ups were also choreographed that they would exchange places from front and back track for two compliments. It appears that in the 08 line up of acts there are not enough to make all that worthwhile.
Johnny,
I think the suggestion of it not being worthwhile is only partially right. I suggest that they are wandering around lost. Where the hell is the front track and the back track. But maybe you are right, getting the milk stool for a second complement would be an exercise in futility.
Wade Burck
Johnny,
On the off chance that hell freezes over, and you, Buckles, and myself were back there, I being from the "new school", could probably remember where front and back track were. Not that it would do any good. Chances are neither one of you would listen to me. LOL
Regards,
Wade Burck
On the Dobritch show, an act that had just come off RBBB, complained to Paul because he put them on the "back track" in finale. Talk about "dillusions of grandeur".
24 hr. man,
In 1978 a Polish cradle act, fresh off 2 years on GSOE, was hired by Hamid for the opening Hartford date. The morning they arrived they dropped their rigging bags in to the middle of the Armory, and went to the hotel, assuming it would be hung for them. Next morning Attaberry, had One-eyed John haul it out to the dumpster so they could lay the celotex. They were disillusioned too, when they arrived later that night, an hour before show time.
But these are not isolated cases. I ran across a picture yesterday of 5 men holding 3 mini horses for me on Ringling. Actually 3 were holding the horses, one was waiting to see if I needed anything, and one was holding my coffee until I was done practicing.
I found another picture of a horse act I trained after leaving GSOE, looking like a falcon trying to get airborn, attempting to hold 6 National Show Horses in a line. Leaders in my left hand, 6 horse is in my right hand, and I've got my boot heel hooked around 4's front fetlock. I recall I was disillusioned that day.
Wade Burck
What Difference does make whether you work Front or Back, Center or End??....or like me out in the parking lot....The only thing to worry about...is if they "Pay" you what was agreed upon at the end of the week!.....Jim Zajicek (Brinks)
wade:
I hear you,,,,that's why we didn't want to work when we came back, six years of being spoiled.
Wade...I prefer the GSOE treatment for Horseman....Does Kenny & Nicole need a "Worlds Smallest Horse"?????......Jim Zajicek (Fellow Horseman)
Bill/24
Were you spoiled or was it experiencing the way a professional presentation of circus should be conducted?
In the USA we have a few showmen who know how to present circus and then we have either "plain promoters" or "plain concessionaires" hiring a line-up of acts so they can "just sell tickets" or "just sell concessions".
Producing a circus is not the same as hiring a line-up.
PART II
If you want to see a legendary "showman's" work, visit Bill's yesterdaystown blog where he has just posted videos of Paul V. Kaye's super spectacular Circus America, 1974.
This show was intended to go in direct competition with RBBB and orchestrated by Abe Pollock's Capital Centre. There was bad blood and heated tempers over RBBB not playing the Capital Centre, so an All-American circus war began.
The result was Circus America, an extravaganza that is still talked about in the circus industry.
I've noticed that all the acts that played the date remember the engagement with awe, respect and a professional pride of being associated with such a legendary undertaking.
Paul V. Kaye, the Ziegfeld of the circus.
Mike,
I would suggest that a once in a life time, unlimited budget date is not indicative of Paul Kayes skill's at putting together a show. Any more then the Nones family spending 2 years and unlimited funds putting together a tiger act for an MC gold, is an indicator of young Nones's skills.
You need to only look at what he produces at Evansville each year, or the show's he used to take to Japan. The year I went there were TWO cage acts, myself and Rix's, Carmen Hall's Baboons, Redpath flying act, Bobby Moore's dogs, etc. etc.
Paul IS the producer, all other's should study and emulate. If there is a last of anything, Paul leads that list.
Best Regards,
Wade Burck
Mike..Sadly with todays expenses...Few Operators can field a show as we remember it...I never thought I would say this..But I belieive the most Succesful Producer today is Guy Laberte of Cirque du Soliel...I hear now he also is considering bringing Animals to many of their units...Jim Zajicek
jim z:
Expenses be damned! I'm not saying there aren't some good acts now, but, find me another Victor Julian, another Gene Mendez, or Alzana, another Feller Boys & Dodo, find me another Georgians(George & Vicky), or an Antalek Troupe, another Theron Troupe, or Yokoi Family. Need I continue????
Curator,
And he has hired you to train the liberty act, and routine the quadrille's, right. Why don't you help Jim Alexander with the sealions?
Being's you know both James C. Hall, and Wade G. Burck and we were at Marineland, I assume you are as sharp with sea mammals as you are with equine. LOL
Your Pal,
Wade Burck
P.S. (Quadrilles? That's when a number of riders ride in a syncronized, preplanned formation. It has nothing to do with flying acts.)
24 hr. Man, Who said anything about acts? When the money dried up.. They acts dried up....Soliel has made a hell of a go with the Canadian Gov (Angel) puttin up only a Million...Whenever a Circusman meets up with a person with money (Angel) the only thing for certain is...at the end of the Partnership...is the "roles" have reversed........Jim Zajicek
Wade....You being from a prarie Ranch in N.D. ME residing in "Horse Capitol of the World" (Ocala/Morriston)..Have got to be Kidding! Everyone knows "turnin a Quad" (as we in the Capitol call it) means gettin a family of 4 to go in at full price! I suppose NEXT your goin to tell me, Mr. Ed was done with voiceovers! or that Clint rode Andulusians in the "Trilogy" Please!!!! Might I suggest you read a few more Western Horsemans or Horseworld before you sit at the Showfolks Bar and sip umbrella drinks with the Col. and I !! Oh, you do look slick in you "Mahan & snakeskins" IF YOUR DRIVIN A TRUCK THAT IS!!! Real Horseman wear "Sneakers & Ballcaps"!!!.....Sincerely Jim Zajicek (Fellow Horseman)
Down under(way under) Horseman,
John Lyons is doing a clinic in Madison next month. Apparently he is going to whisper and ride a wild mustang in under 6 1/2 min. He mentioned he needed a moron to lead the horse in to it an air of authenticity. I mentioned you, and he said, "is he the clown that looks like Dennis Reis?" He's interested in talking to you. Should I give him your number?
Wade Burck
Asolutely!! Give him my number! Its a natural role for me! But forewarn him....Even Ken Curtis got PAYED for bein Festus!.....Jim Zajicek
In 1952, the Ringling show's reserved seats were cheaper on the backside than on the front. CBCB sold cheaper seats on the back side using a sherrif's sale to fill them for 50 cents more, and C&B had blues on the back side for years. So, what's new?
Bob Kitto
jim z:
I did!!!! The money did not dry up, it was given away, by producers who started cutting the budget to get a date, instead of by offering a better show.
Do you know that Detroit changed producers once because the producer who wanted it cut the budget by $40,000, Cleveland was cut by $16,000. Then those producers turned to the acts & wanted them to work cheaper to make up the difference, so they could still make a profit.
Bill!! prank call-prank call...I'm Sorry..24 hr. Man...I agree...no matter what happened The MONEY dried up...No money = No Acts..However in Fairness to the Ken & Nicole show...Quite frankly...Things also COST more...$129 a/hr at Freightliner for a Mechanic....$4.06 Diesel...insurance/workmens comp...permits...RENT?, tell me about it...Sometimes I think I was happier livin out of a Paper Bag on some mud Show...Face it..Bein a Circus Star Doesnt pay...and there's No Letterman show or movie deal....Who would practice to be the next Gene Mendez to work maybe 10 weeks a year in obscurity? Dial a phone # randomly...when someone answers..ask them if they ever heard of-------? They will hang up!!! The Golden age is gone...I like Wisconsin in the NCAA's how bout you?.....Jim Zajicek (Eakin out a livin on the Back-end)
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