THE KNEISLEYS

Page 2

Joseph C. ReisingerA T T O R N E Y AT LAW

Entertainment Law - Civil Trials - Immigration

For Free Consultation or AppointmentCall: 415 -472 1050

DON A. K O E H L E R (55), known as the tallestman in the world, standing 8 ft. 2 in. high, diedat his home in Lake Villa, III., where he was re-cuperating from a heart ailment, on Feb. 25th.Koehler was a former president of the Para-mount Tall Club and had retired three yearsago after a 25 year career as a salesman for theBig Joe Mfg. Co., makers of hydraulic lifts. Hewas listed in the Guiness Book of Records asthe world's tallest man.

ReportTHE FAMOUS BUD TEAM

Budweiser has announced they will build anew 60,000 square foot building in Oakland(Calif), in which they will store their brewbetween the brewery and bar.As a part of that announcement the famousteam of Clydesdales will appear at several lo-cal area spots, including the Golden GateFields race track in Albany, Alameda, Rich-mond and then on March 14th they will bein the annual Oakland St. Patricks Day par-ade.The company has more than eight Clydes-dales, but those selected for the team are allat least three years of age, stand at least 18hands high, must be bay colored, have fourwhite stockings and feet, a blaze of white ontheir face and have black manes and tails.

March 16, 1981

ACTS - Are you listed with us ?

DWIGHT DAMONEntertainment Unlimited

Lane Manor, Box 685, Merrimack, NH 03054

603-424-3341

PEOPLEHORACE DUNCAN, Hardware and Lumber-man of Sedan, Kansas, has sold the old OperaHouse to the city of Sedan and donated halfof the sale to the city. Plans call for renova-tion of the building which would then housethe Emmett Kelly and Historical Museum.

MARI-JO COULS was named a charter mem-ber of the Hpxie Tucker CFA Tent at its rais-ing ceremonies at Kissimmee, Fta. on Mar. 1st.Also attending were EDNA ANTES and HAR-RY HAMMOND.

GRIFFIN, escape artist, was featured on na-tional television in a segment on P. M. Mag-azine which was aired on March 9th. The spe-cial included a challenge from the Police Chiefat Guthrie. Okla. and some rare films of theGreat Houdini.

Dr. HOWARD KILLOUGH, of Winfield, Kans.National Clown Chaplain of the COA, and A-DEN LOWRY, Chairman of the Kansas CFA,were honored in Emporia, Kans. on Feb. 21stby the State Clowns, for their work with theorganization.

CLARK McDERMOTT is rapidly recoveringfrom his recent surgery and plans to get backto work soon. He hopes to fill in some of hisopen time quickly.

JOHN PALMSTROM is on tour with Meadow-lark Lemon's Bucketteers, doing his unicycleand juggling act. The tour is presently in theSt. Louis Area.

Page 4 March 16, 1981

Show DatesAut Mori Grotto

Mar 17-22 Youngjtown.Oh

Beatty-Cole CircusMar 15 De Land, Fla.

16-17 Ocala

Garden Int'l CircusMar 16 Joplin, Mo.

17 Miami, Okla19-21 Tulsa

Canon & Barnes CircusMar 14 Paris, Texas

15 Bonham16 Grand Saline17 Longview18 Tyler19 Athens

Hubert Castle CircusMar 17-18 Eugene. Ore.

20-22 Seattle, Wash22-28 Dayton, Ohio

Circus OdysseyMar20-29Mayaguez,P.R.

Circus VargasMar 17-19 Costa Mesa, Cc

20-23 Laguna Hills

Cole All Star TV CircusMar16 Richfield Sprgs, NY

17 St. Johnsville18 Morris19 Norwich21 Margarettville

Franzen Bros. CircusMar 15 Mt. Vernon, Ala.

Garden Bros. CircusMar 20-21 Allentown. Pa

Great All American CircusMar 20-22 San Bernardino,

Calif

Hubler Int'l CircusMar 1 7-22 Youngstown.Oh

Donnie Johnson CircusMar 19-20 St. Petersburg, Fla

21-22 Tampa

Olympic Int'l CircusMar 2-22 Chicago, III.

Ringling-Barnum - BlueMarl 7-22 Charlotte, NC

Ringling-Barnum - RedMar 17-29 Baltimore, Md.

Royal Hanneford CircusMar 20-Apr 6 Detroit, Mich

TNT & Royal Olympic Cir.Mar 17-21 Portland, Ore.

Shrine CircusesMar 20-22 Lafayette, La.

16-1 7 Lake Charles, La.20-21 Pine Bluff, Ark20-23 Wichita Fallsjex

- - - • M A G I C - - -

Abbott's Close-Up Conven.Mar 20-21 Colnn, Mich

Academy of Magical ArtsMar 21 Los Angeles, Ca.

Prf. Miller -Magic Time USAMar 17 Melbourne. Fla.

18 Ft. Pierce19 Vero Beach20 Titusville21 Orlando

Felix SnipesMar 20-21 Camp Lejeune,

NC

Show Time USAMar 16 Gibsonburg, Ohio

17 Fosteria18 Mt. Gilead19 Bryan21 McComb

- - - O T H E R DATES- - -

Bryan's Clowns, Inc.Mar 18-21 New Castle, Pa

The Gutis Familyto Mar 22 Chicago, til.

River's Aqua MulesMar 20-22 Chandler, Ariz

Rolling DiamondsMar 17-22 Ft. Wayne. Ind

World Figure Skating ShowMar 20 Oakland, Calif.

Royal Lichstein Circus

Mar 17 Huron, S. 0.18 Madison19 Sioux City, Iowa

WANTEDYOUNG LADY for Aerialwork • Good Season.

Leave word for Enrico at:

813-955-2768

Page 6 March 16. 1981

ReportAQUA CIRCUS PLANNED...

Construction is now underway for the newestof many fabulous attractions at Ringling Bros,and Barnum & Bailey Circus World.The Aqua Circus is being built in conjunctionwith Bob Maxwell, president of Maxwell Asso-ciates, foremost producers of water and divingevents, that features world famous champion-ship divers.The Aqua Circus is scheduled to open at thecircus-oriented theme park this month, andwill feature a splendidly brilliant ensemble ofmulti-talented divers.Within the group of six divers there will bedynamic displays of the blazingly brillianttorch dive, stunningly acrobatic high divesalong with the comedy capers of hilarious di-ving clowns.At present the group is scheduled to performan average of three shows per day (show timewill vary throughout the peak and non-peakseasons).

HIENHP R O D U C E R S , P E R F O R M E R S

AND AGENTS

Regarding an ad placed by StevenWallenda in the March 2, 1981, is-sue of Circus Report (Page 20).

Please be advised that in as muchas Steven Wallenda has never beentrained by or performed with KarlWallenda or "The Great Wallendas,"I cannot assume any responsibilityfor his actions.

Helen (Mrs. Karl) Wallenda

in theEX-JAYCEES HELD IN FUND MISUSE

A report from Asheboro, NC, indicated threeformer officers of the Jaycees, including a onetime national president, have been indicted oncharges of using money intended for charityfor their own benefit and to establish phonyJaycee chapters.

The indictments stem from a North Carolinastate investigation that followed allegationsthat more than $190,000 in Jaycee fundshad been diverted for other uses.

PEOPLEETHEL LUCKEY has been hospitalized at St.Mary's Medical Center in Madison, Wise., andPAUL LUCKEY has been hospitalized in Baraboo, Wise. Both would enjoy cards and let-ters.

SUE and RUDI LENZ report one of theirchimps has a beautiful baby born on Feb. 26.and weighed 3 Ibs at birth. The new youngsterhas been named WALLY.

JOE MYERS will again be the producing clownwith Robert Bros. Circus this season, and hiswife HELEN will work in the show office.

ANN and ERNIE GREEN (Astabula, Ohio)circus fans, held a surprise birthday party forIVY GUNGA (Gunga Family Circus) this pastmonth.

JIM BEGLEY has reportedly bought the for-mer Circus Williams and changed its name toCircus Holiday and set a June 1st opening.

BRANDON SCOTT, magician, is appearingat the Nugget Casino in Sparks, Nev., thismonth.

JVoticeEffective May 1,1981, the subscription ratefor Circus Report will be priced at $20.00 ayear.Anyone who would like to renew or extendtheir subscription may do so at the old priceof $15.00 a year, prior to the above date.

Page8 March 16. 1981

PEOPLEDAVID HAMMARSTROM, author of the book"Behind The Big Top" has been invited to bethe guest speaker at the CFA Convention inArizona this June.

PAMELA OBANDO, daughter of high wire per-formers CARLOS and CAROL OBANOO wasthe subject of a photo story in the Democratand Chronicle in Rochester, NY, on Feb. 10.

VICTOR VAN METER, magician, has beenworking at the Sheraton Inn Airport in NewOrleans, where he works for the Sunday Spe-cial Brunch.

HARRIS REYNOLDS (wire walker and for-mer member of the Young Nelsons act) whowas married to STANLEY WATHON's dau-ghter DENISE (before her untimely death)moved from Richmond. Va. with BUNNY,Denise's Aunt, to just below Savannah, Ga.Bunny died this past year, in her 90's. theywere the famous Juggling Jewels and nowHarris resides near his sister.

MARJORIEand DAVID HACKETT caught

WANTEDPROP MEN

RIGGERS

E L E C T R I C I A N S

For Detroit Shrine Circus

Set Up Tuesday A. M. ( March 17

Michigan State Fairgrounds

- 17 Days -

More Dates to Follow

Report to Tommy Hannefordat the Fairgrounds

8 a.m. Tuesday, March 17th

NOVELTY

ITEMS

1980 Program ............. $1.501.506.006.006.006.006.001.50.50

1981 ProgramT-Shirt. Adult S-M-L-XT-Shirt, Child S-M-LGatsby CapBall CapLicense PlateBumper Sticker1981 Calendar

Add $1 .00 to include postage to anypoint in the U. S. Minimum order is$4.00.Orders to: C. R. SPECIAL

P. O. Box JHugo, Okla- 74743

the Ringting Red Unit opening at St. Peters-burg, Fla. and this month they are visiting theBeatty-Cole and Egypt Temple Shrine Circss(Donnie Johnson).

ARTURO TROSTL, high wire performer,charged discrimination because of age whenhts high wire performance was cancelled byofficials of Tampa's annual Gapsparillo Dayprogram. The 70 year old performer as beenperforming in the annual event for the past28 years.

MURRAY HILL, owner of two elephants us-ed for rides at a shopping center in PinedasPark, Fla., has been offering local residentsall the elephant manure they want for gard-ens. It's all bagged and ready to go, he says,because it is difficult to dispose of.

TANNI LeLONDE, skater, is working with anice show which is performing in Japan.

DR. HANK E. PANKY, former resident ma-gician at the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota.recently presented his medicine show pitch/magic act for a series of Walgreen Drug Storedistrict meetings. Off-stage Dr. H. E. P. isknown as BOB LANGIN.

Page 10 March 16. 1981

ReportTRIPLE TWISTING DOUBLE SOMERSAULT

Tom Robin Edelston, featured trapeze artist atRingling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey CircusWorld in Orlando, Fla., is shown here comple-ting the first Triple, Twisting, Double Somer-sault ever recorded in circus history. The feattook place at the park on Tuesday, Jan. 20that 5:30 p.m.The Triple, Twisting, Double Somersault con-sists of three twists and two laid out somer-saults .. a total of five revolutions completedconsecutively in mid-air.

Tom's catcher, John Zimmerman, a meber ofCircus World's performing Flying Robins, ex-pressed that he could not believe that the twoof them actually held on to the wrist-to-wristgrip for the entire feat.

Tom, a tremendously talented 20 yr. old, firstlearned the trick by landing into the net oneand a half years ago. It is only for the past yearthat Tom and catcher Zimmerman have beenattempting the incredible.During the past two months, the two flyingsensations have been under the guidance ofexpert master trapeze artist, Faye Alexander,a one-time circus great presently a trainer atCircus World. The feat was video-taped andwitnessed by several other Circus World per-sonnel during a practice session in CircusWorld's Circus Pavillinn.

BOOKSBY MARJORIE J. HACKETT

CIRCUS COURONNE by R. Wright Campbell,published in paperback by Pocket Books for$2.25 • An excellent thriller with a circus back-ground about spies in World War II. Campbellreally has to love the circus world and its per-formers. A quote from the book: (Page 48)"The circus is a world, he thought, separateand apart from the community of ordinarymen. It should be a nation unto itself whosecharter is founded in the sanity of love. Lau-ghter should be its banner and humanity itsshield."

THE RINGMASTER by Darryl Ponicsan, pub-lished by Dell Publishing for $2.25 (in paper-back) • A work of fiction but based on thetravels of the author with the George Matt-hews Great London Circus during the seasonof 1976. A good book, but if you are offen-ded by dirty words and explicit descriptionsof the seamier side of the circus, then skipthis one. You'll recognize some of the wellknown performers in this story.

LAURAMAY McKENZIE PETRILLO and hermother. MILDREN McKENZIE recently visit-ed with DAVID and MARJORIE HACKETTin Florida. Marjorie and Lauramay bunked to-gether on the Ringling show, where Lauramayspent 13 years before retiring.

THE FORST SISTERS are back on the roadwith their Dad's magic routines, with twoyoung helpers, their first appearance was atShowfolks of Sarasota Circus. They announ-ced their return on a television show in theTampa area.

Tom is the leader of the Flying Robins whichincludes catcher John Zimmerman, along withbeautiful flyers Linda Stammen and LauraRappa. The group performs daily at CircusWorld.Next in line for the ambitious two-some is thequadruple somersault, another incredible andnear-impossible trapeze feat.Tom and John are working on incorporatingthe Triple, Twisting Double Somersault in totheir spine-tingling show, performed severaltimes daily in the park.

BOBBY and ROSA

GIBBSHAD A GREAT TIME IN

TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES

Thanks to:

i 4 G I R C U S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * '

J im N o r d m a r k - H e i n z R u c k e r ( P r o d u c e r s )

LARRY, BETTY, GEORGE and GINA GARDEN

George Garden International Circus (Animal Owners)

and

F R E D M O R R I S a n d " S U S A N N E "

( P r o m o t e r s )

J A N U A R Y 1 - 3 0 , 1 9 8 1

ALSO THE CREW OF THE S .S . "Sea Joy"

S .S . "Morazan"

Page 12 March 16. 1981

J O H N W I N N , President

223 West Main St., Suite 205, Medford, Oregon 97501 - Phone: 503 -779-7441A E R I A L T H R I L L end N O V E L T Y ACTS - FUNNY C L O W N S

- A C O M P L E T E 2 H O U R SHOW -

PEOPLETHE BUSKERS PUPPETEERS will make theirfifth appearance at the Ringling Museum • NewCollege Medieval Fair in Sarasota, March 12-15^resenting the traditional Punch and Judy. Thepuppeteers are a Bomar Production, under thedirection of co-owner Marji Langin.

JOEY JORDAN, juggler, is reportedly perfor-ming on cruise ships. He's set for the Bauer-Hall Circus date and the Dick Gustafson Vaude81 Show.

RON URBAN has his icer set for "Gaslight Vil-lage" in New York for several months.

DAN SUMMERS, magician, is working aboardcruise ships operating out of Miami, as is ventBILL BOLEY and comedy JOEY VANCE.

ROLLONA ROLAND and JACK CAMPBELL,skaters, along with soloist ARDITH PETER-SON are performing in an ice revue in San Juan.

B08-0 and BOBBING, clown team, have ink-ed the Duff's Smorgasbord chain of restaurentsas their ambassadors and will appear at grandopenings of the fast growing chain. Bob-0 andBobbino celebrated their 18th year of perfor-ming partnership and Bob-0's 42nd year inshowbiz in January.

JERRY GOODSPEED, vent act, is appearingat the Ibis Club in New York City.

BY KAREN CART

The Circus world has lost another of its long-time members. W. J. "Whitey" Thorn passedaway Dec. 26,1980, in Oklahoma City, Okla.Whitey was born Jan. 26, 1904, in Love Lady,Texas. In 1940. he joined Al G. Kelly-MillerBros. Circus as an elephant man and electri-cian. There he met and married the formerMary Keys on Sept. 29,1941 in Bucklin, Kan.Whitey and Mary were with Kelly-Miller until1952 when they joined the King show. In1954 they shook the sawdust off their feetand settled in Oklahoma City. Whitey becamea truck driver for TIME DC Truck Lines andafter retirement worked as a maintenance manfor Ogden Foods, until his death.Mary is also employed by Ogden; who has theconcessions at the Myriad Convention Centerin Oklahoma City.They may have shook the sawdust from theirfeet, but not from their hearts. By being atthe Myriad, they were able to see and visitwith many of their long time circus friendsthat came there with indoor shows.Mary lives at their home at 302 S. E. SnyderCourt, Oklahoma City, Okla. and keeps busywith her job at the Myriad. Whitey had count-less friends and will be missed by all that knewhim.

ALL TENT BUYERS AND RENTERS

Canobbi of Italy, Manufacturer of the mostelaborate and best custom made tents in the

world, will be touring the USA commencing onor about March 16, 1981, for 2 weeks only.

All those interested in Mr. Canobbi's serviceskindly contact:

SAL MURILLO(702) 458-2580

after tl a.m. Las Vegas time

Canobbi's custom made tents are used byleading circuses throughout the world and by

firms sponsoring rock and pop groups inconcert, also major sports and church revival

activities.

just a short list of happy buyers and renters:

Monte Carlo Qrcus Festival (Monte Carlo. Monaco)Oreo Americano, ItalyBussola Domanl Viareggio, Italy

(Super Stars of the entertainment world perform in this tent)Oreo Magko Tihany. South AmericaBoxing and Tennis Championships throughout EuropeMajor Conventions throughout Europe

Page 14 March 16, 1981

PEOPLEGUSand BETTY BELL operated "Betty'sFudge Kitchen" at the Home and Garden Shovin Ft. Worth just recently.

THE WILLETTYS, balancing and rola bolajuggling, worked the Feb. 15-16 Indio (Calif)Date Festival.

TOMMY BENTLEY, CHUCK CLANCY, VIR-GINIA LEE FENTON, HERTA and JOHNCUNEO, BILL and JAN BIGGERSTAFF. allvisited Circus Vargas in Hollywood, Calif.

THE JOLLY JOVERS have replaced magicianPAUL FIDDLER at Las Vegas.

THE CHINESE ACROBATS have been signedfor an upcoming Los Angeles engagement withthe Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus.

MILTON BERLE along with WALTER MAT-THAU, JACK LEMMON, LUCILLE BALL,DICK VAN PATEN, RUTH BUZZ! and CARLBALLANTINE will be featured in an upcom-ing Home Box Office special called "Celebri-ty Magic Show".

JOHN JENACK recently produced a circus ofstudents to raise funds for the purchase of cir-cus equipment for elementary and middleschool programs.

MANZINI will be featured at the AquaramaShow in Montreal (Mar. 26-Apr. 4), bookedby TIBOR ALEXANDER. After that he willstart his Police sponsored dates with his new"Manzini Magic Thrill Circus."

ROGER BIDDICK, BILL BRANDENBERGERCHUCK and LORI CRAW, MIKE HEBE-BRAND, KELLY HARDIN, SCOTT LIHME,TONY and SUSIE MEDLEY. MAGGIE SLA-TER, JIM STELLAR and WARREN WOOD,all of the Great American Youth Circus, visit-

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ed Circus Vargas during the show's Riverside,Calif., engagement.

DAVE "Skinhead" LEWIS clowned and per-formed his magic at the Annual Blue & GoldBanquet for the Cub Scouts of American inGarden City, Mich., on Feb. 17th.

KEN BROOKE, noted English magician, hasbeen added to the list of talent set for the an-nual Las Vegas Magic Seminar (Mar. 26-29)which is to be held at the Aladdin Resort Ho-tel, with special guests SIEGFRIED & ROY.

JO JO JINGLES, the Ft. Worth, Texas, Clownholds the national record for blowing thingsup, tying and twisting 217 balloon animals anhour. The record was set in 1973.

JOSEPH C. RETTINGER, of Phoenix, Ariz.,had as his guests at Circus Vargas: Mrs. BUCKJONES, Mr. NICHOLS S. FIRFIRES and hiswife MAXINE (daughter of Buck Jones), Mr.and Mrs. MONTIE MONTANA, Sr., Mr. andMrs. MONTIE MONTANA. Jr., (owner of theBuffalo Bill Wild West Shows).

PERCY TURNER, former dog and pony showowner) celebrated a birthday last month, withmany friends stopping by to enjoy the party.Percy is in the sign painting business in SanDiego these days.SUGAR & SPICE, aerial cradle act, has beenworking winter dates with the Funs-A-PoppinCircus for BETTY WENDANY.

!

The Circus Report Page 15

DAMASCUS TEMPLE SHRINE CIRCUS

BY BILL GALLOWAY

The M ft M Circus Internationale opened the1981 season for the Damascus Shrine Templein Rochester, NY, Feb. 11-15. Extremely goodweather brought out excellent crowds for theten performance stand.Because of the timing of the date, many cir-cus performers visited on their way to otherdates. Visitors included: James M. Cole, Dor-ian Blake, Billy Martin, the Lang Family, An-tar Wazzan and family, the Van Buskirks, BillVaughn, John Mac Kay, Sabu and circus fansMr. and Mrs. Frank Howard.Show Line-up: Opening spec "Circus Days"with all performers; Damascus Temple ShrineUnits; Harry Thomas, tigers; Mr. Sensation,Billy Barton; Killer Willard, boxing kangaroo,

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(Fossetts); Display with juggling on unicycleon a table by Don Philips & Co., The Laddies,unsupported ladders, Miss Diana (Philips) bi-cycles; Teeterboard Aero-balancing by Waltand Wendy (Patterson); Clowns and Army gag;Chimps, Miss Christina (Fossett); Display withSusan's Royal Afghans (Davide and Sue Zop-pe). Miss Trudy's Canines (Strong); Clownswith the Hot Dog machine; Aerial Displayfeaturing Miss Lou Ann Jacobs.After intermission came: The Flying Lantonyson trapeze; Display with Hand Balancing byMr. Bell (Walt Patterson), and hand balancingby the Kents (Clayton); Clowns and Pie Shop;Gorilla Parody, Irene, Tonga & Co. (Fossetts);Display with whip cracking and rope spinningby The Claytons and Alun/o (Pancho Magana)Johnny Laddie and the Rhesus Monkey Revue;(Zoppe); Shrine Circus Elephants presented byRoman and Jean Schmitt; The Quasars (Billand Trudy Strong).The staff included: Mrs. Grace Mclntosh andCharles Marine, producers; James Douglass,performance director; Al Dawley, announcer;Bill "Boom Boom" Browning, musical direc-tor; Leo Coffey, prop boss; Spec designed byCircus Creations of Daytona Beach, Fla. (JimDouglass).Clown Alley included: Producing, Vern Woer-ner, Bobby Davis, Elmo Gibbs, Jack Kane,Rick Legg, Mike Naughton, Buck Nolan andMiddy Streeter.

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Page 16 March 16,1981

: dJCIRCUS VARGAS

BY DON COVINGTON

I had an opportunity to visit Circus Vargasagain during their President's Day holiday en-gagement at the Hollywood Bowl and was de-lighted to see several notable improvementssince the San Diego dates last month.First, and certainly most impressive, is the gor-geous new wardrobe. Cliff Vargas has engagedMillie Ward and some talented Las Vegas cos-turners to create spectacular new costumes andeffects.The mid-show spec which seemed slow and dis-organized earlier in the season, now comes to-gether beautifully thanks to some careful at-tention to timing and the breath-taking ward-robe. All new sequined elephant blankets, newhorse trappings and costumes dazzle the eyeand fill the tent with magic. Giant featherhead pieces for the show girls compliment thebull's new trappings.While equestrians fill the three rings, the ele-phants troop out and the girls who had beenriding the beasts have just enough time to hop

CLOWNS WANTEDPRODUCTION CLOWN(S) NEEDED

25 week contract one lo-cation. Supervise and helpproduce show for amuse-ment park. Six day week.Must be management ma-terial able to handle otherclowns and novice clowns.

Please send resume andphotos immediately andexpected salary.

TROTTER BROS. PRODUCTIONS111 West Blake

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DAVE UPTONRingmaster

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off, change costumes and reappear at the endof the spec to escort the pure white horse "Genera) Vargas" into the center ring and to spot-light the slide for life from the peak of the topacross all three rings.As important as the new wardrobe in spec andin the Rex Williams elephant act is, a dramaticincrease in big top lighting, ten spots (6 on thefront side and 4 on the back side) now lightthe 3 rings, and new accent lights are usedthrout|hout. Most impressive of these is a setof flashing follow or chase lights that com-pletely cover the center ring during the cli-max of the spec. The effect is dazzling.Steve Carroll's windjammers have adjusted theirmusic somewhat to highlight acts, but couldstill use more traditional circus music, in myopinion.The 1981 Circus Vargas is getting better daily.I envy those who'll be seeing it later in the sea-son.

TEXAS CLOWN NOTES

Twenty clowns from the Texas Mid-CitiesClown Alley No. 85. worked the Kiddie Cor-ral at the annual spring "Home and GardenShow" at the Tarrant County Convention Cen-ter in Ft. Worth, Feb. 20-22.Clowns included: Rosalie, Donald and LoisFerryman. Van and Bil Pinney, Susan Corona,Dottie Yates, Lanea Ramos, Charles Royce Al-phin, Nita Buckley, James Decker, Juanita andAlvin Holdcraft, Jo Jo Jingles, Robert Riggle,Lisa Allison, Anneta and Michelle Moerbe,Carol Hill, James Ballew and Willis Garland.

PEOPLEHARRY ALBACKER, magician, was the sub-ject of a special article appearing in the Pitts-burgh, Pa. Press on Feb. 24th.

WILLIAM RAYNOR has been appointed VicePresident of Tour Development for CircusWorld Park i n Florida.

JIM and JUDY GREENE (Chiron) have relo-cated in Orlando, Fla. where friends can nowreach them at: 5312 Old Cheney Highway.Phone: 305-282-5065.

VIRGINIA LEE FENTON and CHUCKGRIMES, musicians, are with the EmmettKelly, Jr. Circus which is playing dates inArizona.

ANNETTE LITTLE, owner of the "Here Comethe Clowns" shop in San Diego, sells paintingsand ceramic clown figures, as well as a cookhook of circus recipes.

JONNY RIVERS will be presenting his Incre-dible Hi-Diving Aqua Mules in Chandler Ari-zona Folley Park, Mar. 20-22, and at the LosAngeles Memorial Sports Arena, Apr. 7-19,their first dates since appearing on the "That'sIncredible" show on Feb. 16th.

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COLE ALL STAR TV CIRCUS

BY BILL GALLOWAY

The 43rd annual tour of the Cole All Star TVCircus marked the 64th year in circus businessfor owner James M. Cole.On Monday, Feb. 2, the circus played in LeRoy, NY, at the high school. Extremely coldand windy weather caused the attendance tobe down. Those that were there appreciatedthe show, as evidenced by their response tothe performance. As it was Boy Scout Week,Mr. Cole made a special announcement ac-knowledging the presence of the Cub Scoutsat the show.The show line-up was: Welcome, Big HeadWalk Around; Miss Victoria (Vickie Lang)web; Silly Sailors (Lang Kids),comedy knockabout; Dorian Blake and Janice, illusions; Jar-go by the Lang family; Billy Martin, rola bola.After intermission came: Dorian Blake andJanice, illusions; Mongo-Bongo & Co., gorillaparody (Billy Martin and Vickie Lang); Jugg-ling by Bobbi-Jane Duo (Langs); Omar, spin-ning plates and the Lang Family, teeterboard.The staff consisted of: Owner-Manager, JamesM. Cole; Announcer. Billy Martin, and Concessions. Larry and Gary Sheffield.

Want to Buy- DOG ACT -

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DAVE UPTON5126 Blount Ave. Sarasota, Fla. 33581

Page 18 March 16, 1981

RAGK LIMITED UOTP E KfcES - 4064 WlH AVt . OAKLAND. (A

BY LLOYD E. JONES

The prestigious Academy of Magical Arts andSciences Dinner set for Mar. 29th, at the Bev-erly-Wilshire Hotel, wilt again, for 12 of its 13years, have Bob Barker as the MC. Expectedto attend will be Marco the Magi. Oavid andSeth of the Le Grande David Show and a hostof their troupe. Also coming are Gene Gordon,Harry Lorayne, Gerrie Larsen Jaffe. Suzy Wandas Bennett, Ken Brooke. Jane Thurston She-pard, many of whom I am sure will be receiv-ing coveted awards.Nominees for Lecturer of the Year are: MikeAmmar, Harry Anderson, John Cornelius, Pa-trick Page and Karrell Fox.For Close-Up Magic the nominees are: HarryAnderson, Darly, Bob Jardine, Jules Lenierand Danny Rouzer.Stage Magician: Harry and Leslie Anderson,Jonathan Neal Brown, Mike Caveney, BillyMcComb and Larry Wilson.Visiting Magician: Mike Ammar, Jerry Andrus,Ger Copper, Martin Nash, and Terry SeabrookeChoices are decided by votes of the member-ship while Fellowships are bestowed by theBoard of Directors. It is an honor just to be

ATTENTIONE A S T C O A S T

P A R K S a n d Z O O SA N I M A L C O M P O U N D S

I am returning to the east coast in April. Ihave vast medical and husbandry know-ledge of all primates. 20 yrs. experiencetraining chimps and building props for cir-cus routines.Will furnish references and consider allemployment offers Pennsylvania toMaine.Write:

JIM KELLY542 D. St. Chula Vista, Ca. 92010

nominated or considered for one of theseawards.The evening will include a show with surpriseperformers, a no-host cocktail hour and aprime rib dinner. Tickets are $5.00 each andchoice seats still remain. Only 800 people canbe accommodated.Old-timer Johnny Platt will be the honoredguest at a champagne reception at the MagicCastle on March 29th.Bob Emerico received a front page photo andinside three column spread in the Healdsburg(Calif) Tribune on Feb. 13th, for his third vis-it to the local school.

The Circus Report Page 19

ReportOLD WAGONS ARRIVE IN FLORIDA

Two famous, historica wagons from the original Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus arrived at CircusWorld Park in Florida at 12:05 p.m., Thurs-day, Feb. 12th, after a 4,000 mile cross-coun-try journey that originated in California.

Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey CircusWorld theme park are, in essence, returning totheir original owners.

Wagon No. 88, the largest of the two circusmonuments is 20 ft long and weighs nearly 5tons, empty. The wagon, tremendous in size,was used to haul wardrobe trunks. Once un-loaded, the wagon was transformed into adressing room for the all-time circus great wild

The wagons are the final two original vehiclesthat represented this historic traveling circus... a long remembered tradition in America.Purchased from the president of Show RingCorp., Jerry Booker, the deal was arranged byvice president of Ringling Bros, and Barnum& Bailey Circus, Chappie Fox, along with Cir-cus World president, James Murphy.Fox, a long-time friend of Booker, inspectedthe wagons while visiting Booker at his homein Hillsborough, Calif., in Aug. 1980. Recog-nized throughout the world as a circus histor-ian and authority. Fox readily acknowledgedthe safekeeping and preservation of theseglorious wagons from the turn-of-the-century.During the 1930's, Ringling owned the Hag-enbeck-Wallace Circus... original proprietorsof the majestic and multi-purpose wagons. Thewagons, now being placed in the possession nf

animal performer, Clyde Beatty.Wagon No. 54, considered the older of the twowagons, was the original cookhouse water wa-gon. Constructed on mainly wood, the wagonhoused a steel rectangular water tank secure-ly inside its wooden body.According to Fox, these wagons represent themassive type of construction that was utilizedby the big railroad circuses during the times of"one-day, one-city" performances. The wag-ons were heavily loaded and required as manyas 6 to 8 horse teams to move them on andoff the circus lots.Circus World president James Murphy hascommitted to restoring the wagons to theiroriginal state by early summer. The wagonswill be displayed at the circus theme park.Circus World.

BILLY BARTON held an autograph party atMcCurdy's Oept. Store in Rochester, NY, onFeb. 16th, where he spent two hours signingcopies of his book "Past Murder Imperfect".

LARRY VAKSMAN, juggling unicyclist, waspictured in an AP photo release which was re-leased this past month.

HOWARD M. WICKSTROM wants to contacta female acrobat and/or contortionist. Writehim at: 1418 North 27th, Kansas City, Kans.

1ftiuyBwwRW^DATELINE: Greencastle, Pa., Feb. 25 • Homeat last and more than just home BACK in theUSA! Believe me, it will take an Act of Con-gress to get ME out of the USA again (at leastas a performer) and it wilt take FAR morethan THAT to ever get me back into anotherLatin American country.As everyone knows I entered Mexico with Cir-cus Odyssey. What you don't know is that Icame out through the offices of Circo Ataydeand a man they had stationed at the borderwho spirited me across as a Turista; plus thekind intervention of the LE MOINE Troupewho caught up with me enroute and led meinto Matamoris and BACK into the good oldUSA where I INDEED kissed the ground whenI got back (and I have witnesses).Each person who went to Mexico has his ownstory to tell and I am sure that in time eachstory will be told. You can rest assured eachstory is true. We went through hell gettingthere, suffered untold mental anguish duringour so j urn there, and worried to death aboutgetting back out once we started our home-ward trek.I closed a day earlier than the time on the con-tract, but that closing was written into the contract as I had a previous commitment in Ro-chester with GRACIE MclNTOSH (which Ifully intended to keep and did keep). BUCKYSTEELE left Mexico two days after he arriv-ed, but I'll leave Bucky to tell his own story.Owing to losing a week (through no fault ofour own) the remaining acts were talked intostaying an extra five days, which, of course,was up to the individual to decide • all, that is,except SATANl who decided not to stay but,as I said, each person has his own story to telland in due time I am certain Satani will tellhis. Besides, I wasn't there when he left andhave only second-hand information. Until suchtime as I talk to Satani personally I will letthat incident slide.The show was held up at the border for aweek - for reasons that were valid, for reasonsthat were not; but then almost all acts find

themselves held up at the border for a num-ber of days.It happened for those acrs crossing for Atayde(Lou Ann Jacobs, Pancho, The Pirates, TheZoppes, Don Young, the Le Moines and IrvingHall. It also happened in Laredo to the Bauers,the Paulsons, and others entering Mexico toplay a fair date), so of itself this is not unus-ual. The difference is that those acts, whenthey cross, have in their possession all the ne-cessary papers- American and Mexican, pro-per working papers with photographs, equip-ment papers, etc. and these papers remain onthe person all the time he ii in the country. Inour case we entered with Tourist Visas andNEVER did have on our person or in our pos-session proper working papers. On top of thatour Tourist Visas were taken from us in MexicoCity, ostensibly to be traded for working pap-ers and we remained then WITHOUT papers.Now, as told to us by the American Embassy(and they should know as it is their job toknow) any American wandering around Mex-ico must have, in addition to his Passport,some sort of papers. This is a LAW. Conse-quently we took a chance going anywherewithout them but we had no choice.I left Mexico City with a Xerox copy of myoriginal tourist visa (hardly legible) and somesort of a letter (also xerox) which when MID-DY S T R E E T E R showed them to the author-ities at the airport He was given a good deal oftrouble about (a man of importance with akind heart finally let him leave). The fact isthe papers were not proper for someone leav-ing ALONE and without a member of Tele-vias at the border to handle the details...which is why I retained mine and will continueto retain them as proof of my statements andalso why I scooted across like any other Amer-ican tourist in Matamoris that day.

Well, I'm not going to get on the soapboxabout my Mexico experience. I have beenweeks without a column and I know my read-ers are anxious to know what's going on in thebusiness and so, after I mark a few warnings

The Circus Report Page 21

about Mexico to the industry, I will get onwith my normal columnizing.First of all, anybody contemplating going toMexico for ANYBODY, must make sure he hasall his proper papers BEFORE he crosses theborder. To be on the safe side make Xeroxcopies of ALL papers. DON'T, I repeat Don'tlet anybody take your papers from you, anddon't ever relinguish your passport. Just don't;Watch out for ALL Mexican cops, they're thetrue BANDIDOS. Don't ever ask a cop for dir-ections. You'll end up getting ripped off. I didto the tune of $2000 pesos (about $100) butthat is another long story.Don't believe that Mexico is cheap. It is NOT!Inflation has hit there as it has everywhere else.Decent gas cost $1.20 a gallon, gas you can runan American car on. The roads are, for the mosipart, TERRIBLE. You can bury a Volkswagenin the holes in the street in Reynosa, for ex-ample.Learn to read Spanish • enough to get over theroads. Road signs in cities are practically non-existent • it is a simple matter to get lost, andwatch the drivers • they're the most homicidalin the world. Make sure you have Mexican in-surance and make sure you are covered for ex-tra days and whatever you do don't drive inMexico City. It's a lethal activity. Watch thegas stations along the highways - some are realrip-offs and be prepared to bribe your waythrough the checkpoints. You can do any-thing in Mexico with a bribe. Watch the ani-mals along the highways and try to avoid dri-ving at night. Animals are all over the placeand if you hit one and stop you'll find your-self in mucho hot water - just go like hell andforget it. Our bandleader BILL FISHER gotstruck in the leg by a motorist in Mexico Citywho hollered in Spanish for Bill to get out ofthe way. Accidents and people being struck bycars are so commonplace it becomes a bore.Don't expect logic or common sense, either;one American performer (Don Young I think)got arrested for stopping at a green light to

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Phone: (617) 768 -6669

keep from hitting a pedestrian!Mexico City is over-polluted and over-popula-ted. Getting on and off public conveyances canbe suicidal. They crowd like cattle and trampleeach other so don't expect them to be politeto you. Two hours in Mexico City and you'lllearn to be as rude as they are. You must ifyou want to survive.On the plus side, much of Mexico City is veryold-world and beautiful and the people, indi-vidually, are nice and friendly. The fruit is de-licious and so are the baked goods. Restaur-ants are hit and miss and most of your foodis served cold, especially potatoes and vega-tables. We found a luxurious hotel and veryreasonable (even if it did turn out to be a highclass operation for a rather dubious profes-sion) but finding that was due to the geniusof STANLEY FRIEDBERG who speaks Span-ish and who is far more clever than any of ussuspected!

The Metro is clean and fast (and crowded) andcheap, and the trolley cars are fun (for awhileanyway) and ramshackle (all dents and brokenwindows and headlights smashed) and cost on-ly about a penny to ride - when you can get onthem. Even the Metro costs only a few pennies.On these you will find entertainers and vendorspopping off and on and even the streets aboundwith acrobats, perch pole artists, fire eaters andwhathaveyou.At least eight circuses were in operation inMexico City - a city whose population tops 15million - believe it or not - and I have sincelearned it is the largest city in the world. It isalso the highest, I think, nearly 8000 ft. andbreathing ain't easy. All of the circuses weredoing good business and someone told methere are at least 250 circuses in Mexico, themajority of them small family shows but everyone, somehow, manages to eke out a living.The two major circuses, of course, were Ataydeand Odyssey, and of them all, Odyssey was cer-tainly doing the best business, because we hadfull houses and nearly full matinees even dur-ing the week. On weekends we had nothing butstraw houses with thousands turned away andscalpers on the outside selling tickets at $20.00per. Main seats in our European six pole topwere going for about $8.00, and always filled.One Sunday they had to call out the cops be-cause fights to get into the show erupted onthe midway. I never recalled seeing peoplefighting to get in to a show over here!Odyssey was brought into Mexico by Televisa,

Page 22 March 16, 1981

a powerful sponsor indeed and of course theairwaves were inundated with Odyssey com-mercials. The fact remains, however, that it wasthe performance and word of mouth thatbrought the crowds, because the show wasgood, and it was American.. .and.. .Ameri-can acts are something special in Mexico.Odyssey program for the run, ran as follows:Spec, Lilliana, Billy Barton, Rex Young'sClown Duck Hunt; Cimse's Russian Wolf-hounds; The Venturas, cradle; Jackie's chimps,the Gutis Family; Rex Young's clown firehouse; Joselito; Intermission;Second half kicked off with the Flying Lar-Rays, Dion and Beverly, Rex Young's Com-edy Cannon, loreli, single trapeze, Althoff'sBears, Spiderman, Satani Demon, Finale.Bucky Steele played the first two days be-fore giving up the ghost and returning state-side. Clowns included Dion and Beverly, Bob-by Davis, Rex and Sandy Young. Ringmasterwas Middy Streeter, plus a Spanish ringmas-ter; band was under the direction of Bill Fis-her with Stanley at the hammond organ. Theyused about six men. The band was excellent.The audiences were marvelous. Everybody wasa big hit. The Mexicans love their circus.

HELEN WILSON - Show Organist(Own Equipment) 704 - 786 - 4563 - WriteBox 1167. Concord, NC - 28025.

PEOPLEPETE MUSTARD, clown artist in San Diego,now has over 500 original paintings of clownsin his home. Circus clowns regularly visit himto see the paintings, some of which are dis-played at the Children's Hospital in Orange,Calif.

BOB EMERICO, DEL JONES and WALLYLEE & Co., were featured acts at the annualOakland (Calif) Magic Circle Banquet in Feb.BILL WILLIAMS served as the show's MC.

JIMMY BRISCOE, former Ringling-Barnumclown, is featured in the film "Under theRainbow" He also did the stunt work in thisfilm for star BILLY BARTY.

Looks like I got on my soapbox after all andhave run out of space. So be it. Will close outthis column and begin next week's so I canmake up for lost time and will see you downthe road, luvs - AMERICAN ROADS that is!

THESMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

is planning a celebration of old time American tent

shows. We are interested in hearing from persons

who have performed or lectured with toby, rep, tab,

medicine, minstrel, Tom and other travelling shows

(other than circuses) along with Chatauquas. We

are researching the subject for our achives and for

a possible presentation on the national mall in

Washington, D. C.

Please write:Steven Zeitlin, Folklore Program

Smithsonian InstitutionWashington, D. C. 20560

Page 26 March 16,1981

ReviewTHE MAGIC OF DAVID COPPERFIELD

BY BILL BIRCHFIELD

(David Copperfield's show was appearing atCaesars Tahoe Hotel and Casino, Parkinson/Hollywood L&D Productions).

Nothing does magicians more harm than a badmagician. On the other hand nothing does ma-gicians more benefit than a good magician. Ma-gicians of the world rejoice, for Caesars at So.Shore Lake Tahoe, Nevada, is now featuringin the Cascade Showroom one of the best ma-gic shows in the history of the art.Produced by Bob Parkinson and David Copperfield, starring and directed by David Copper-field, the 90 minute stage extravaganza fea-tures the best of David's live and networktelevision appearances.

The performance I saw was a Sunday matineewith a mixed family audience of about 700.Considering a very late winter (No skiing sothere are few tourists) this was a very goodcrowd. Friends there told me he was outdraw-ing other main room shows at the entertain-ment mecca.

The show began with a short announcementintroducing David. The main house curtainopened to reveal David being driven on stageon the hood of a glistening 1981 red Ferrari.He was decked out in an all white suit. Thisprovided quite a contrast on an all black stage.Illusion No. 1 is an original illusion called theTower which is a two story prop resembling achrome-plated scaffold. The illusion combinedarm stretching, a production of two girls, a vanish of the magician and an invisible reproduc-tion of David in the middle of the room. It wasperformed lightning fast. A fast-paced, atten-tion getter opening.Next David presents an invisible deck routineusing a spectator from the audience. David'son stage personality is excellent. He comesacross as a very humble young man who istrying to provide the best show he possiblycan, which is exactly the case.Now comes a short play called "The JewelTHief". These plays have become David'strademark. Short one act plays with a plotand a shocking magical finish.During The Jewel Thief several illusions oc-cur. The plot is this: The thief hides in anexpensive jewelry store (ala Tiffany's) by ma-gic the magical thief makes millions of dollars

of priceless jewels disappear. To avoid beingapprehended the thief transforms himself in-to a one dimensional display piece.

The Jewel Thief incorporates several set piecesall beautifully designed and presented. Thescenery is that of a metropolitan sky line com-plete with lighted windows and clouds, Abso-lutely beautiful!

Now comes a 1950's dance number. Six cos-tumed dancers in a number staged by chore-ographer Steve Merritt. David enters portray-ing a "greaser" type. He becomes involved ina contest for the affections of the ladies. The"other man" tries to impress the ladies withhis dancing. David counters with his magic.Finally David wins by making the whole ra-dio disappear. This is a delightful scene addingmusical comedy at a time in the program whreit is most appreciated.In order to give time to set the stage David performs a routine called the Room Key. Againusing an assistant from the audience. Davidamazes the crowd by making a correct predic-tion of a room key number. This allows Davidto show his true self. His delivery is enthusias-tic, and never, never risque. Very smart think-ing.

The next illusions are presented dramaticallyto Gershwin's "American in Paris".

This scene features the dancing cane routineand an original levitation of a girl assistant.The levitation is unusual in that the full stageis exposed at one point to show there are nomeans of support whatsoever.

David now presents a "Sucker Gag" involvingsome popular and unpopular record albumnsand once again he is helped from the audienceThe audience thinks he has made a serious mistake in the production of which albumn thespectator has chosen only tc find they havebeen footed once again.Now comes one of Magician Copperfield'smost mystifying and popular routines - theDancing Hank/Zombie done to Sinatra's "Allthe Way". The scene is that of a cocktaillounge. An argument with a girl friend forcesDavid to take solace by performing magic withhis table napkin. The routine is a real crowdpleaser and one of David's best. The applauseis loud and long.As a change of pace the master magician in-troduces his girl singer Phyllis Kelly. She isan old fashioned belter! She sings New York,New York, I know I'll never love this wayagain and assisted by two boy dancers, a rou-

The Circus Report Page 27

sing finish with the theme from Fame. She isan excellent singer and she looks great. Thisis a terrific break for her. Remember thatname Phyllis Kelly.

Another of my famous routines is next. Anorange, lemon, egg and canary. The canary ismade to vanish which reappears inside theegg, which is inside the lemon, which is insidea juicy orange. A real show stopper. The can-ary is the only animal used in the show.Presented at this point is a routine called TheAnte', again magic with a plot. It goes liketh is. . . David, while going through his oldmagic props remembers a childhood sweet-heart. In his "imagination" she appears tohim. They play some childhood games includ-ing hide-and-seek, the play finishes with thegirl vanishing from under a sheet, while sittingHI a chair that is on a table. An old classic withfresh new style.Introductions now. David introduces his dan-cers/assistants. He also introduced several showpeople playing in the area who were in the au-dience.The "Private Eye" is next. This magic-play fea-tures several illusions: vanishes, reappearancesand transformations. There are several scenechanges throughout this complex series of il-lusions. Extraordinary magic presented as on-ly Copperfield can!Now a cute routine called "Let's Burn A Deal"It's a spoof of the game show "Let's Make aDeal". David portrays the host, using a manfrom the audience, the burned and restoredbill is presented in a unique fashion.For the Finale, the red $50,000, 2700 poundred Ferrari is driven on stage. It is then cover-ed with a satin sheet. Copperfield makes thecommand, the car levitates! Assistants withflags and flag poles show proof no gimmac-kry is taking place. The Ferrari floats higherCopperfield jumps, yanks the sheet away, thecar is gone. The audience cheers, the curtainfalls, the house lights come up, the audienceis left mystified, astounded and amazed.

David Copperfield is a superb showman. Helooks great. No "T" shirts on this guy. Hisbasic costume is a black velvet jacket withan open collar. His material is fresh and ne-ver the least suggestive.Comment on the music. The music at LakeTahoe was not an assortment of records spil-ced together. Much of the music sounded tobe recorded specifically for the act in a re-cording studio. Probably for the network

specials. David's use of Sinatra's recordingwas excellent. Sinatra cuts were used severaltimes throughout the show.The "Rags" were beautiful. Several mammothchiffons and mylar curtains were hung. Twolighted portals and several electrified setpieces, as well as many individual scenes werehung on the hug stage.David told me that every button on the stagewas being used. Four semi trailers were need-ed to truck the show in from L.A. It took aweek to put the show in. In the middle ofDavid's 13 week appearance Frank Sinatradid a week engagement. The Sinatra peopledecided not to use any of the Copperfieldstuff, so out it went for a week and then itwas put back again, overnight,Ticket prices for the show are $8.00 for ad-ults and $4.50 for kids. Rinks, soft or hard,are extra.Don Wayne deserves credit for helping Daviddesign those incredible props and to JohnGoughan who helped build them. Gary Bormathelped write the magic plays. Costumes weredesigned by Herb Kaluger, Kathy Brunka andRudy Pickering.Lighting was designed by Chip Largeman, aseasoned lighting designer. But I felt this musthave been Chip's first job for magic. The showis much too dark.If the illusions are designed to work on a fullylighted stage, why aren't they? Darkness issuspicious and unwarranted suspician is some-thing a magician does not need. The atticscene was much too dark. I feel 70% of theeffect of the vanish was lost and why a pinspot was used on David throughout the showjust doesn't make sense.

The dancers/assistants are: R. David Robinson,Monica Bryant, David Caley, Sioux Lewellyn,Robbin McDowell, Sarah Miles and TomStoehr.This is without a doubt the best magic showpresented in years. Hats off to David Copper-field. Keep up the good work.

PEOPLESENOR WENCES, popular ventriloquist, isappearing in a show in San Juan.

JEFF McBRIDE, magician, is featured at theQ. E. in Montreal these days.