Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Seils-Sterling Circus #3


Scan00000010098, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 12/28/2010 06:04:00 AM

8 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

I had the pleasure to meet Art Miller here in town as he was booking the big three, Beatty Cole, King and Sells Gray.
He also got the old Kelly Miller show tons of publicity.
What jackpots from the past he told me and he added circus goodies to my circus collection.
He gave me a season pass to Sells Gray show and when I presented it the front door the ticket taker tried to get it from me as he had never seen one. I said Mr. you do not get this one as it was good for the season.
I had a great vist with this great man.
Many memories from the past about when great shows toured the U S.
Harry in Texas

28 December, 2010 07:20
Buckles said...

Art and Pete Smith shared an apartment in Hugo several winters where adult beverages were served and the bull-shit stories abounded.
Jimmy Rossi and I were regulars (he only had soft drinks) while I was less conservative.
After a shot and a yarn and the laughter had subsided, Art would announce, "Little kiddies jump up and down and clap their hands in glee as the double-length circus trucks of the Al G. Kelly and Miller Bros. Circus come rolling into town!" after a few drinks everyone in the room would join in.
Having the same name, while booking the show, Art would often claim to be one of the owners.
Sometimes a local might come on the lot with a beef saying that the owner of the show had personally assured him........!
D.R. thought it was funny.

28 December, 2010 08:02
Ole Whitey said...

I have stayed at this apartment after the advance was in but before the show came back. Once Pete got to Hugo I would have to move to the Webb Hotel.

Downstairs was the local booklegger called Preacher so it was very handy.

I suspect those great old days are gone forever.

28 December, 2010 08:37
Buckles said...

Preacher Swink.
Getting involved with his family almost got me and Jimmy shot one night.

28 December, 2010 08:52
Harry Kingston said...

Oh yes Art had his adult beverages and I had a coke and the the bs flowed but I took it all in from a man that was there.
Those route books he did were great and after reading them I felt like I knew everyone on the show.
But he got the job done and being a new fan I enjoyed every minute of his jackpots from the past.
If I am correct it was Art in 1956 who came up with posters last of the circus see it now or miss it forever.
I asked D. R. Miller about it and he said Harry we jammed them.
Harry in Texas

28 December, 2010 10:14
Ole Whitey said...

Some snapshots I took ended up in one of Art's route books. I hadn't missed them until I saw the book.

I wonder how many of you know the name Art was known as in Walnut Ridge?

Mrs Miller told me an interesting story. A well-known character and his wife stopped in to see her one time in Walnut Ridge. She had previously laid out 50¢ to pay the paper boy. While the visitors were there she had to excuse herself to go to the ladies' room and after she got back the paperboy knocked on the door and the 50¢ was missing. Knowing the couple involved this didn't surprise ma a bit.

28 December, 2010 10:41
Roger Smith said...

Long ago, I bought some collectables from a list from Art "Doc" Miller. He had some excellent items. Is this fella one and the same?

28 December, 2010 13:56
Ole Whitey said...

No. Art "Doc" Miller was an old time biller who lived in several New York/Pennsylvania border towns for years and moved to Florida in his old age and wrote a dandy book called Little Ol' Show.

Very interesting guy. Worked for some historic smaller shows. I think he worked for Hoxie along the last and someone did a picture story of his billing for one of the fan mags.

28 December, 2010 18:08

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