"Hysterical America"

Scan000011162, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Jimmy Rossi and I noticed some large cardboard boxes that had been delivered to the office and took a peek inside. They contained wardrobe and gear that D.R. had ordered for a "Historical America" spec. We then decided the only reasonable thing to do would be to drag some stuff out and try it on.

More on "Dream Lover"

I just had an interesting phone conversation with Chic Silber who it turns out, designed the props for the Broadway production of "Dracula" that Barbara and I saw, including the radio that played "Dream Lover". His latest work was Special Effects Coordinator for the show "Wicked" of which there are seven units now on tour. Mr. Silber also reminded me that he built Charly Bauman's lighted bottle walk and mirrored balls as well as the overhead bubble machines used in the "Neptune's Circus" spec and added that they are still functional. Buckles

Clyde & Jack

clyde&jack, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, As I was looking for the Merle Evans photo which I sent and you kindly posted, found another photographic curiosity that you might enjoy. This was taken in the late 1950s. Think I was 18 years old. (Hard to believe I was ever that young.) The immortal Mr. Clyde Beatty was crossing the lot of his circus, playing a one-day stand in McComb, Mississippi, my hometown. Hanging around the lot and being a nervy kid, I introduced myself and asked if he would pose for a photo. He graciously agreed, chatted politely for a few minutes and shook my hand. Unforgettable. Your cat experts are so right. His was one of the most exciting -- if not THE most exciting -- cat acts I have ever seen or expect to see. The big male lion jumping on the arena's door a second or two after Mr. Beatty exited was pure theatre. None of the Barrymores, Fondas or anybody else could possibly match it. My best as always, Jack Ryan

Orrin Davenport Shrine Dates 1956

SAVE0294, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I always liked this picture: Col. Harry Thomas, Bill Woodcock, Harry Haag, Merle Evans and Buster Hayes. My dad was amazed at the volume of mail Mr. Evans received each day in the dressing room. Having just left the Ringling Show most of his correspondence heralded the gloom and doom that awaited the show in his absence. At 21, I thought RBBB would live under canvas forever but the oracles were right.

From Jerry Digney #1

Ringling_Merle1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Two more shots for your MERLE layout:: Seen here, a relaxed Merle clowning around backstage at Madison Sq. Garden in '68; I have a lot of original shots of Merle in scrapbooks i've amassed over the years. When I joined RBBB, he had already left (the talented Bill Pruyn succeeded him with a very different kind of musical flavor) but believe i met him later on as he active long past Ringling years.

From Jerry Digney #2

Ringling_Merle2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Dom Yodice #1

scan0065, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Here are two photos of Merle Evans taken in 1950. One photo shows the humorous side of Merle. I don't know who the other musician is. Dom Yodice

From Dom Yodice #2

scan0064, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Jack Ryan

merle1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, The photo in your blog today of Merle Evans reminded me that I had one around too. Did a bit of searching in my not-so-organized files and found it. Slightly different pose and autographed to me in 1968. What a great character he was! Best to you, Barbara and the family, Jack Ryan

Merle Evans (From Buckles)

Scan000011155, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling-Barnum Band 1949

Scan000011153, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I wonder if they could play a "galop"?

Ringling 1949 Music Book-1 (From Eric Beheim)

Ringling 1949 Music Book-1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hi Buckles, The Charles W. Cushman photos from Ringling’s 1949 season reminded me that I have a “song folio” of production number music from that year. I found this in the “bargain music bin” at Sheldon’s Sheet Music in Cleveland, Ohio back around 1964. In addition to the music, there are a number of full-page black & white illustrations for each of the production numbers. (These appear to have been done in the style of artwork used in THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE back then.) Someone must have thought highly enough about the special music written for the 1949 show to go to all the bother and expense of putting out a song folio. I wonder how many copies it sold! Eric

Ringling 1949 Music Book-2

Ringling 1949 Music Book-2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling 1949 Music Book-3

Ringling 1949 Music Book-3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling 1949 Music Book-4

Ringling 1949 Music Book-4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling 1949 Music Book-5

Ringling 1949 Music Book-5, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling 1949 Music Book-6

Ringling 1949 Music Book-6, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Dream Lover

Dream Lover, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. For those who can’t get enough trivia from the DeMille film, here is something else that might be of interest: Most everyone who reads this blog faithfully knows that the charming waltz used in THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH for the trapeze act and also as incidental music is “Dream Lover,” written in 1929 by Victor Schertzinger for the Paramount film THE LOVE PARADE. I recently discovered that “Dream Lover” was also interpolated into the score for the 1942 Paramount comedy THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland. It is first heard during a formal dance at a military academy. Afterwards, it becomes the love theme for the two leads and is used to particularly good effect during the film’s closing moments. A big money-maker when it was first released, THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR remains a highly enjoyable film today (and has just been released on DVD.) I seriously doubt that Victor Schertzinger ever received a penny for the use of “Dream Lover” in THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR or in THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Eric P.S. It’s OK to post up to 4 measures of music without violating copyright laws.

Ringling-Barnum Band 1948 #1 (From Buckles)

Scan000011156, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Band Top.

Ringling-Barnum Band 1948 #2

Scan000011157, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The "OOM " and "PAH" section: Johnny Evans, Harvey Phillips, Frank Siminer and Paul Davis. "I saw the Ringling Show in 1948 and remember there was no band stand, as you can see the band was seated on the ground behind the center ring. No doubt, so as to not interfere with Concello's new seat wagons. Just think, 60 years have passed and I can still remember so many of the selections they played whereas the "National Anthem" was the only recognizable tune played in last December's Blue Show." Buckles