There was comment at the time that Sullivan made a nice enough presentation of the award, after which Fay was hustled off without a word, as though circus people wouldn't have sense enough to say anything on television.
Al Dobritch always brokered the Sullivan deal but for some reason had the check made payable to me rather than Louie Stern. He then proceeded to pocket most of it but indicated to the Internal Revenue Service that I had received it all. Quite a shock when I got the bill from the IRS and I threatened to have him arrested but Louie Stern thought it was no big deal and explained how good the gig was for the show so he simply had Ross Paul write me a check to cover the extra amount incurred and that was the policy from then on. Such fol de rol eventually resulted in Mr. Dobritch's undoing.
Untimely, hell. Al's "undoing" was timed to the minute. Don't ask who or why, but earie in Vegas insisted that some kid proved a nuisance to Al, so he had him taken out in the desert, roughed up pretty bad, and left there. The kid made it back to town and reported to a certain uncle--Carlo Gambino. To Al's horror, he then realized who the kid was, and lammed himself to Bulgaria. "Someone" got word to Al, on the order of, "Hey, you were right, the kid was always out of line, and you slapped him around before I had to. So come on back, Al, and we'll all be pals." Well, Al bought it, and returned to a promised grand reception, with female company assured, in a 15th floor room in the Frontier Hotel. Upon entering, Al was distracted by a semi-nude beauty across the room, standing by a window with the blinds down. Two party-goers hoisted him up by both arms and danced him across the room as the lady hauled up the blinds to reveal an open window. Al was shown the way out, and was found in a heap in the alley far below. Later, an ash tray was found in the room with lipstick on cigarette butts, but that was it. This has proven to be the most repeated version of a story told in hushed tones. It remained unclear if Al tried to kip over onto his back.
Does anyone know of any circus producer who did not get the "lions share" of proceeds from any television deal brokered, either here or in Canada???? With it and for it, par for the course, has kept circus performers coming back for more, time and time again. Me, I've never been able to understand it.
7 comments:
There was comment at the time that Sullivan made a nice enough presentation of the award, after which Fay was hustled off without a word, as though circus people wouldn't have sense enough to say anything on television.
I thought Sullivan liked circus folks and had them on his really big shoe (show).
Harry in Texas
Sometime last year Buckles showed us
a residual check from The Sullivan
Show for some enormous amount that
would cover about half a happy meal
Al Dobritch always brokered the Sullivan deal but for some reason had the check made payable to me rather than Louie Stern.
He then proceeded to pocket most of it but indicated to the Internal Revenue Service that I had received it all.
Quite a shock when I got the bill from the IRS and I threatened to have him arrested but Louie Stern thought it was no big deal and explained how good the gig was for the show so he simply had Ross Paul write me a check to cover the extra amount incurred and that was the policy from then on.
Such fol de rol eventually resulted in Mr. Dobritch's undoing.
"Undoing"
Now there's a novel expression for
his untimely demise
Untimely, hell. Al's "undoing" was timed to the minute. Don't ask who or why, but earie in Vegas insisted that some kid proved a nuisance to Al, so he had him taken out in the desert, roughed up pretty bad, and left there. The kid made it back to town and reported to a certain uncle--Carlo Gambino. To Al's horror, he then realized who the kid was, and lammed himself to Bulgaria. "Someone" got word to Al, on the order of, "Hey, you were right, the kid was always out of line, and you slapped him around before I had to. So come on back, Al, and we'll all be pals." Well, Al bought it, and returned to a promised grand reception, with female company assured, in a 15th floor room in the Frontier Hotel. Upon entering, Al was distracted by a semi-nude beauty across the room, standing by a window with the blinds down. Two party-goers hoisted him up by both arms and danced him across the room as the lady hauled up the blinds to reveal an open window. Al was shown the way out, and was found in a heap in the alley far below. Later, an ash tray was found in the room with lipstick on cigarette butts, but that was it. This has proven to be the most repeated version of a story told in hushed tones. It remained unclear if Al tried to kip over onto his back.
Does anyone know of any circus producer who did not get the "lions share" of proceeds from any television deal brokered, either here or in Canada???? With it and for it, par for the course, has kept circus performers coming back for more, time and time again. Me, I've never been able to understand it.
Wade Burck
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