I remember Frank from as far back as the Cole show in the 1940's, this picture is from the 1947 Cole Bros. Route Book.
He later became a member of the show's management where he remained for many years.
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Friday, February 21, 2014
Frank Orman #1 (From Buckles)
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Frank was the General Manager
of the Beatty Show in the early
60s when I 1st ran a frontlight
Followed by Jimmy Harrington
I believe Frank was a confidant
of both Walter Kernan & Frank
McClosky from years past
Frank had a 24 ft Airstream in
line with a couple of 28s
Chic, I do not elieve Orman was in the sqeeve mob or whatever it was called. He was always a Peru circus corp guy with Zack Terrel, but I believe when McC;Kernan saw his abilities they took him right in. Mr. Orman told me that when McC group got nervous about Clyde Beatty and that title they were shopping around and Orman went to Chicago and Arthur Wirtz with whom he worked for preveously and owned the Cole Bros. title. He told Wirtz of this group circus desiring the title and Wirtz said. "Frank I like you and if this title will serve you well it is yours" So he immediately became a Vice-pres. of I believe was the Ac,me circus corp. and Gen. Mgr. johnny
Johnny- You're correct, Orman was already managing the Beatty show before McClosky and Kerman were involved with it.
The Billboard announced the fall of 1958 that Orman had negotiated for the Cole Bros title leaving nothing else of the Cole Bros/Wirtz circus.
There's a story that when Mr Orman went over there, some of the department heads and performers had gotten in the habit of knocking on the door of # 61 car down at the runs and asking Mr Beatty if it was okay if they did this or that and he would say fine.
One night there came a rapping and there stood Frank Orman with his suitcase saying he just came by to say good bye. Of course Beatty asked what's the matter and Mr Orman said, "I can't manage this show if you keep making management decisions every time somebody knocks on the door of your car."
Beatty promised he'd stop doing that if Mr Orman would stay and from then on they got along fine.
In my time there, Mr. Orman was the Voice of God, the absolute last word on the lot. One day he told me I'd find a pile of shavings beside 76 truck (steel arena and tunnel flatbed, pulled the bandstand), and to be certain to sack up all of it. I was just finishing, down on my knees, raking up the last flakes with my hands, when a pair of shoes appeared before me. Mr. Orman had paid cash for the shavings and came back to make sure it all went in the bags. When he observed my compliance, he growled, "Awright, not bad", and walked away. One day I loaded the meat locker in 51 Wagon and my coveralls were saturated with blood. Suddenly, there stood Mr. Orman, commanding, "Get over to Maria Clarke and get a change." Mrs. Tommy Clarke was in charge of the workingmens' coveralls, and we were restricted to no more than two sets a week. When I found her, she already had my size out and ready. Mr. Orman's orders had already circulated the back yard, and "Yes, sir, Mr. Orman" was the only accepted response. But he also had a showman's heart under a perpetually gruff exterior. When Clyde Beatty died of cancer, on July 19, 1965, everyone noticed that Frank Orman did not come out of his trailer all that day.
Roger Thanks for sharing, your short story brought tears to my mother Linda eyes. PapPaw Frank truly loved my mom (his granddaughter) My Nina (Joyce Orman McKinney)was her mother
I am the granddaughter of Frank Orman and still miss him greatly. He definitely had that gruff exterior but he was actually a big softie,a great snuggler and spoiler & he always smelled sooo good. My mother Joyce was always very close to him and about a week before she passed we were taking a walk down memory lane and she said the same thing..she missed his smell and how he called everyone "Will"!!we still do not know why??I was named by him and I have his crooked pinkie fingers...which I'm very proud of. I remember his silver Airstream and I remember a Mrs.Teal or Mrs.T at the ticket trailor.Chic,Johnny,Jimmy, and so many others. Thank you all for such wonderful stories of him. He was quite a character and definitely could have been in a mob..lol, as I found police badges and uniforms in his house in Fla. where I spent my summers!! After he retired he drove a red convertible sports car and went to the horse race track as much as possible. He moved in with our family in WV and lived a good life being served his "Highball"whiskey drink everyday at 5pm...eating dinner at 6pm sharp and telling my mom what a great cook she was. I adored him and my mother Joyce and I thank you all again for the memories.Linda Lee Southern
Thanks Linda for sharing your
memories of your grandfather
He was very serious about his
position running the terrific
Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus
He knew every inch of it & was
fully dedicated to keep it the
well respected supreme Big Top
3 ring American style circus
I am grateful to have known him
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