Thursday, September 08, 2011

1941 Cole Bros. Circus #41 (From Eric Beheim)

HERE COME THE CIRCUS preserves for posterity Otto Griebling and Freddie Freeman doing their celebrated comedy boxing routine. According to one source, Otto had been with Cole Bros. starting with its 1935 season. He remained with the show until 1951, when he switched over to Ringling-Barnum.
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Posted by Buckles at 9/08/2011 05:36:00 AM

9 comments:

johnny h. said...

When Terrel sold Cole it was amazing of the number of Cole people That Ringling hired. Especially Otto and Freddie for that boxing bit. With all the international resources of Ringling They brought this clown classic and made it a center ring featue of the GSOE. Also with the entrenched famous clowns with Ringling that Otto and bFreddie were accepted and became a vital part of that great Clown Alley. Pretty impressive.

08 September, 2011 08:20
Little John said...

Thanks Johnny nicely said.

08 September, 2011 19:50
clownron said...

I was hired in 72 and did the boxing gag with my partner for 3 years on the Red Unit... a staple indeed.

09 September, 2011 00:49
Buckles said...

I never saw Otto do this gag wearing a s skull cap.
I always remember a full head of hair that reacted violently when he received a slap.

09 September, 2011 05:34
Anonymous said...

Probably the very best clown boxing act ever.
Bob Kitto

09 September, 2011 07:50
Frank Ferrante said...

Wonderful stuff! Thanks, Johnny! ~frank

09 September, 2011 10:59
Anonymous said...

Purists will probably disagree but some years ago Scotty O'Donnell, Mike Snider and John Kennedy Kane (as the referee)did a wonderful reprise of this for a season on Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus.

Paul Gutheil

PS Buckles I agree with you about the hair and I'm guessing maybe the wig came off during a particularly rambunctious round.

09 September, 2011 11:03
Little John said...

In 2007 when I clowned for Tommy's kid Tony at the Auburndale flee market I built a lot of props, among them was a very loud pair of boxing gloves. It was dumb because I was a solo clown, but I first used them for my punching myself out of a paper bag gag. However when I finale punched myself out of the bag I'd been standing in with only my clown shoes a funny socks showing, the temptation was too great not to do sort of a pie pan routine with my gloves. My clown was brought up to never do pie pans out of respect for Otto, (I think it was Otto, it was some famous clown who became mute from the calling.) Anyway my gloves were not practical for that little Hot show because it took too long to put them on and take them off. But I still got them if any clown out there would like to jam.

09 September, 2011 17:41
Roger Smith said...

Long ago, a top researcher friend and I began our Best list. Hands down, Best Boxing Gag: Otto and Freddie. The midget referee was re-cast several times over the years, but no one could beat this classic performed by the two leads. I add my thanks to the "I was there" memories of Col. Herriott.

Paul: You're right about certain purists. At times, that's me. But I'm always grateful to see subsequent generations come along with brilliant work. The Colonel is right that it's all been done before, but thankfully spirited young talent reassures us that great circus isn't lost.

09 September, 2011 22:52

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