Saturday, July 11, 2009

Milwaukee Festival #1 (From Dennis Younger)

Buckles
Here are some photos I took on Thursday and Friday this week at the pre-parade grounds in Milwaukee.
There was a large turnout on opening day (Thursday). Those in the know said it was probably the largest first day crowd ever.
The big horse trucks arrived on Friday morning with all the Belgian and Percheron pull teams. The Carson and Barnes elephants
(4 adult and Val the 2 year old baby) are being supervised by the usual Frisco group. They were kept busy , two elephants tailed up giving rides at one time.
The circus performance appeared to be sold out for each show on Thursday. This is the Kelly-Miller FESTIVAL circus. Not the same as the Kelly-Miller that is
now far into the North East. I had the distinct and enviable opportunity of watching the show with Mr.John Ringling North II. who appeared to enjoy the show as
well as any of the other approximately 750 souls under the tent. At the end of the performance we stood to the side of the exit and I watched and listened as
some departing patrons told the circus boss they enjoyed the show very much. Some knew his identity and some didn't. I can report that of course he was most congenial
to all and thanked them for coming. I thank him for sharing his time and thoughts with me about the business and wish him all the best. Now I'm waiting for his thoughts on
my book that he is reading. Dennis 'Dion' Younger

Posted by Buckles at 7/11/2009 10:04:00 AM

5 comments:

Logan Jacot said...

What acts are on the show?

11 July, 2009 12:09
Dennis said...

A silk act, Tramp clown with kid, poodles in many costumes, rolling globe trio, a Russian clown with 4 audience members and lots of whistle blowing,Val the Carson & Barnes 2 year old punk who did an impressive list of behaviors while mom elephant stood by. Canned music. 'Eggroll' is announcer.
Every act was applauded with gusto.
Every performance during the run was expected to be sold out.

11 July, 2009 15:33
Paul H. said...

Thanks for the photos, Dennis. The kids and I caught the 1 p.m. Saturday show. They are alternating lineups for the approx. 55 min. performances.

We saw: Russian swing (Espanas), the Darnelles illusions, two clown bits (audience participation and comedy car), North Starlets (2 on webs), Poema family comedy Risley, John Kennedy "Eggroll" Kane doing a comedy hula hoop filler and a Carson & Barnes/Miller/Byrd three act.

Kane, as expected, did a great job of selling the show.

Pretty good Saturday afternoon crowds with picture perfect weather. Healthy lines at the food concessions and the rides. Goes to show that people will spend $$ if they think they're getting value.

11 July, 2009 19:55
Mike Naughton said...

The dog act is THE FABULOUS DARNELLS, formerly THE ELKIN SISTERS acro trio, now retired.

The Elkin Sisters appeared on the ED SULLIVAN SHOW, the television variety show, on 3 different broadcasts.

JOHN KENNEDY KANE, the pride of South Buffalo, New York is "Eggroll". John joined the clown alley of the CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS. CIRCUS after spellbinding the spectators in the side show for one season.

His clown name "Eggroll" was bestowed on him by Jimmy James (Plott), longtime CBCB whiteface clown then Ringmaster. John had a walk-around sight gag where he was portrayed a Chinese Laundryman with a rigged-up clothes line extending from his back.

Jimmy James (Columbus, GA) worked in the wardrobe department of Ringling before his multi-decade tenure with the Beatty show.

Jimmy told me that Doug Howedahl, CBCB partner at one time, invited him to lunch one day during the winter break. After lunch, Doug spotted a potential lot on a shopping center. "We are playing that lot this season, Jimmy." said Doug. Jimmy asked, "When?" To which Doug replied, "I will tell you as soon as we talk to the manager of the shopping center."

According to Jimmy, Doug pulled into the parking lot, opened the trunk of his luxury car which was organized with file boxes, programs, marketing materials, et cetera. After grabbing some printed material the duo meet with the manager and Doug had the date set within 20 minutes.

Doug's moniker for "Eggroll" was KILLER KANE, the super-gangster from the Buck Rogers movies.

12 July, 2009 06:06
Ryan Easley said...

Which four adults does Tim have up there?

12 July, 2009 10:11

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