Friday, September 04, 2009

Father Jack Toner and Dave Hoover

Posted by Buckles at 9/04/2009 05:59:00 AM

8 comments:

Jimmy Cole said...

This is circus fan Priest Father Jack Toner, who was a very close friend of the Hoovers for many years. He often came on the show Sunday mornings and offered Catholic Mass under the big top, which was attended by circus people of all Christian faiths.

I recall Dave Hoover coming up to me during the "Passing of the Peace" in such a Mass and saying "Peace be with you Jimmy...even if you are a Democrat!"

04 September, 2009 07:50
john herriott said...

When us Herriotts were on the Beatty-Cole Show, the Hoovers and the other Catholics on the show would go to Sunday maas i9n whatever town. Even on the one day stand days. Believe Willie Story and the Tommie Clarks were some. I always admired their faith and especially the trying times during the sickness and passing of their wonderful son Gary. A great family and Dave was sure one of nthe characters in this crazy business.

04 September, 2009 09:05
Anonymous said...

Going over a piece of Biblical scripture? No, I think it was the route slip to the next town!

04 September, 2009 12:38
Chic Silber said...

Following those route slips was

kind of like a treasure hunt

Fortunately we had the arrows

"Off the lot turn left" could

not always be counted on

04 September, 2009 18:56
Roger Smith said...

I still have all the route slips given to the drivers when I drove Mr. Beatty and his family, in 1964. Some will remember that before I got there, Red Hartman drove Beatty. Upon my arrival, since I could drive the white Cadillac and pull a trailer, and especially since I didn't smoke or drive drunk, Red was moved over and this gave me many treasured, indelible hours with the Boss. This is when I got to know him, and to realize for sure how much I liked and respected him. He was my boyhood hero since I was 4 years old, and coming to work for him and having this access to him, it was memorable that nothing about the man ever disappointed me. He was only abrupt and wrangy just after the act. But as Pat Valdo cautioned, "Never speak to a performer who has just come out of the ring." I went into his Airsteam with him to help take off his chukka boots, and start his tight jodphurs down from his legs, and then I was admonished to depart and he'd take it from there. "OK, boy, that's it. OK, I got it. OK, Roger." He wasn't angry, he was just out of breath and had a streaming, running sweat. An hour later, freshly showered and changed, he was amenable, generous, welcoming to fans and showfolks alike, smiling and shaking hands. He just needed time to cool off after the act--just like Pat Valdo said.

In my shirt pocket, I had the route slip, usually given out by Transportation Boss Ronnie Milletti. I had checked the Rand McNally Road Atlas, and we were off. We had the cats back up in 77 and 78 wagons, and the props crammed into 51 Prop Wagon, and Mr. Beatty and I were off the lot long before Blow-off, like he wanted.

Like Chic says, sometimes the directions were slightly awry. "OUT FRONT, LEFT", etc., might not be the route--but George Wagran, our 24-hour man had his arrows right, and following them got us in.

The breaking-in I got in that Cadillac in those jumps with Clyde Beatty sitting next to me in the front seat, are lessons I have to conclude were exclusive, and to this very day, are as indelible as they are precious. In view of the fact no one has sincerely asked, I would share them with anyone who had the respect and devotion to the work I had. Clyde Beatty was a good and generous man with his knowledge, and following his example, I could be no less. But in present times, people are going their own way, some to good success, and no one is asking about the ways of the Old School which paved their way.

05 September, 2009 22:41
Steve said...

Roger,

Would you be prepared to send me your email address to ssrob@tpg.com.au?

Thanks,

Steve Robinson

06 September, 2009 05:44
Chic Silber said...

Thank you Roger for that detailed

chapter and how fortunate for you

I am grateful that my 1st circus

experience as a spotlight operator

was on this same show at that time

Red & I became quite friendly and

he taught me many things some of

which are helpful to this day

such as hand braiding crackers

for whips of many descriptions

I supply whips & teach their use

on Broadway shows as part of my

"special effects" title which

covers many elements that are

not that special

I am envious of your route slip

collection only as it takes so

much less space than most of the

crap that I have accumulated

Best to you

06 September, 2009 10:38
Anonymous said...

Roger,
You failed to mention what happened when some county mountie jerk pulled the arrows and half the show went straight instead of turning. Not often, but enough to make one read the route slip. At that time Mrs. Antes tyed them and cut them apart so everyone had one. What a difference copiers have made.
Bob Kitto

06 September, 2009 19:16

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