Number 49 Decembers, 1980

HOLVECK & CO. - Master Illusionist

Page 2 DecernberS, 1980

Joseph C. ReisingerATTORNEY AT LAW

Entertainment Law - Civil Trials - Immigration

For Free Consultation or AppointmentCall: 4 1 5 - 4 7 2 - 1050

FROM JOEY JORDAN

So far, I report, my season has been quite in-teresting, to say the least.In August, 1 did the TV show "Circus" forTibor Alexander. I traveled to the date with"Guzman & Monique", in Toronto after thetaping we parted - however, when I attemp-ted to ship my props to New York, customsrequired so many papers I ended up leavingmy props with Guzman & Monique who agreed to travel across into the states and shipthem by bus to me in New York.In the meantime, I visited mime Jeff McBridein Montreal. Then I got a cal Ho a show inthe states the next week and my props wereon their way to Texas with Guzman & Mon-ique. Luckily I received the props withinhours of my first show.Then, while traveling to the Michigan Fairwith "Icetravaganza", just 50 miles away ourvan broke down and we were towed in therest of the way, making it in 3 hours beforethe first show and with 2000 IDS of equipmentto bese t - but we did it!After that date I was traveling with "Fantasyon Ice" in New York when the truck with theentire show was stolen, 2 days before the date,Bill Karlton and myself replaced all the props;including my entire act and the show went on.Happily the van was returned, sans my suit-cases which contained some valuable CR's.From these incidents good has come. I nowknow what an extra transmission looks likeout of a vehicle and I have plenty of extraprops.

THE CIRCUS REPORT is published each weekby Don Mftrcks, 525 Oak St., El Cerrlto, Calif.94530 - Phone: (415) 525-3332.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $15.00 for the year,Overseas rate via surface mail is $20.00 a year.ADVERTISING RATES: (Per issue on a f i rstcome basis) Minimum Ad $5.00; Quarter Page$10.00; Half Page $20.00: Full Pigs $35.00

ACTS - Are you listed with us

DWIGHT D A M O NEntertainment Unlimited

Lane Manor. Box 685, Merrimack, NH 03054

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I: 3 • n*STUDENT WINS SETTLEMENT

A $100,000 settlement has been reached in asuit brought against a traveling circus and aNew Jersey school board by a former highschool football player who developed a boneinfection after slipping on a pile of elephantmanure.Under terms of the agreement, Charles Romo-ser, 17, will receive $75,000 from the LBTCorp., owner of the Miami-based Hoxie Bros.Circus, and $25.000 from the Verona, N. J.school board.The agreement was approved by SuperiorCourt Judge Peter W. Thomas in Newark.In August 1977, the circus was hired by a lo-cal Rotary Club for a benefit performance,which wts staged on the Verona High Schoolfootball field.The circus has seven elephants among its ani-mals. According to Romoser's attorney, heapsof animal dung remained on the field after thecircus had packed up and left.Romoser, then a freshman, reported to thefield for his first day of football practice inearly September of that year. As he was run-ning, the court was told, he slipped and fellinto the pile of dung and cut his right knee.Although Romoser cleaned the cut, an infec-tion developed and spread up his right leg, in-to his groin and down his left teg. He under-went surgery for removal of an infected por-tion of bone.

License PlatesOfficial Clyde Beany-Cole Bros. CircusLicense Rates. Limited edition of 500.Bright colors embossed on sturdy metal.

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Page 4 Decembers, 1980

Show DatesCastillo Spanish Nat'l Cir.

Dec 11-Jan 11 Brussells

Circus a la ModeDec 14 Berkeley, Calif

Humans, Animals, Sensat'nsDec 11-31 W. Berling, Ger.

Kevin Hall CircusDec. 2-24 Glasgow, Scot.

Ringling-Barnum - Blueto Dec. 14 Nassau, L. I.

Royal Lichtenstein CircusDec 8-9 Orange, Calif.

10 Los Angeles11 Gardens12 Los Angeles

- End of Tour -

Wonderland Circus RevueDec 8-9 Bishopvitle, SC

10 Surnter11 St. Matthews12 Bamberg/Ehrhardt

- - - - M A G I C - - - -

Birchfield MagicDec 8 Mendon, Nev.

9 Bridgeport. Calif.10 Yarington13 Eureka

Pf. Miller Magic Time USADec 9 Columbia City, Ind.

10 Portland11 Huntington14 Somerset, Pa.

Tom OgdenDec 13 Summitt, NJ

. - - -OTHER DATES- - - -

AmerexpoDec 9-12 Paris, France

Flight Into ImaginationDec 8 E. Los Ang, Cal.

10 El Monte12 West Covina

Galactic DragonsDec 10 Yuma, Ariz.

12-13 Phoenix

The Gutis FamilyDec 14 No. Haven, Conn.

Los LatinosDec 14-15 Danville, Va.

Santa's Magic Sleigh - RedDec 8 Costa Mesa, Cal.

9 Irvine10 Los Alomitas

11-12 Long Beach

Santa's Magic Sleigh • WhiteDec 8 Bell, Calif.

9 Maywood10 Huntington Park11 Leimart Park12 South Gate

The SikorskysDec 11 Rockford, III

13-14 Chicago

MAGIC WITH A TOUCH OF CLASSF E A T U R I N G : DOVES - P O O D L E S - A F G H A N H O U N D S

Manager: KURTSCHOPPNER228 Pine Lane, Justice, HI. 60458 Phone:312-839-8939

FINALLY got the details on WALT KING'Stragic accident at Baltimore during the Hanne-ford Circus engagement in that city. Walt.com-ing out of spec was attacked by the elephantTulsa (lead elephant on which Barbara was ri-ding). Tulsa did a head stand on Walt, thenrolled him down the corridor and into the La-dies' Room where Walt finally managed to findsafety. Walt is in a body cast suffering from abroken collarbone and a number of ribs and itwill be over two months before he will be ableto work. One of his son's came down to drivethe elephant semi back to Michigan and Waltwas forced to cancel the New Orleans date.Meanwhile the elephant, Queenie, was workedsingle-o by one of Walt's sons on the Hublerdates.

CLOSEUPS: LILLI-ANA and CARMENHALL (My-lmmba's Baboons) will open atBenson's Wild Animal Park in New HampshireMay 23rd and will continue there thru LaborDay. Carmen will also play sp"ng dates forCircus Odyssey and Aurelia u .. ,ne Carmenis now working the baboons loose in the ring.. The fellow in the 'Snoopy' animal skin inSHAPPI's comedy act was none other rtianBOBBY DAVIS...The FLYING IBARRAS ,are making winter dates for EDDIE ZACCHI- ,Nl.. JACKIE KRAUSE organized a cast par-ty one night in Ft. Worth.. .BARBARA TA-TA visited with YOLANDA ZOPPE and looksgood considering all she's been through. Shesuffered a broken shoulder, broken ribs and abroken right arm. The gal is lucky to be alive... .DOREY MILLER indicates a good yearnext season and is going all out with a super-big show and will play major cities. It is hiscontention, and I agree, that a PresidentialYear is always bad for circuses. I bet you didnot know that Dorey once did a tight wire act.. .Among the visitors backstage were LARRYGARDEN, BOBBY GIBBS, ZOEANN HENRYand CLEO PLUNKETT... By the time I get tothe end of the Ft. Worth column, I'm sure youwill find more names listed.

AURELIA HALL is getting about as thoughshe never had a hip operation, and finally madeit to the pie car or blue room (whichever youprefer) and sampled MACK ESHELMAN's spa-ghetti. Mack came up with a new dish everyday, everything from pork chops to a specializ-ed slumgullion .. and while Aurelia was therehordes of people came to pay homage. "WhenNini gets married/'she says, "I'll be free to go

and do as I please." That's what SHE says.WhatI say is the Bionic Godmother will turn into afirst-class baby-sitter and then start all over a-gain by 1995!SOMETHING that has been very hush-hush allyear was the Great Elephant Escape duringspecin Milwaukee this past winter. BOBBY GIBBStold me that spec turned into eleven laps aroundthe hallways of the building and that every timesomebody said: "There they go!" somebodyelse hollered, "HERE THEY COME!" It waslucky there were no injuries although, apparently, a great deal of damage was done to dressingrooms, phone booths, etc. I remember when Iwas never afraid of an elephantlas a child on myfather's circus and, later, as a teenager) but nowI stay as far away as humanly possible. But thatis a precaution around animals that all shouldtake, and not just around elephants!)ITEMIZING: Those Flea Markets around the

fairgrounds were like magnets pulling the per-formers. . .One night I coerced WADE BURCKinto making Finale for the first time in his life.He was as nervous as a First of May and keptasking me, "What do I do now?" "Just smileand wave," I replied. He did just fine and wasthe center of attraction as far as the audiencewas concerned, even if we were accused of"mis-behaviour" by the powers-that-be, whichis NOT TRUE, as those performers behind usand ahead of us can attest.

JOANNE PINSON created elegent new headpieces for DORIS NAGHTIN for the NaghtinBear Acts on Ringling Red in '81. Joanne hasa big sewing compartment in her semi trailerand, as everyone knows, her work is fabulous.. In thanking Shriners J. Tom Shelton andMr. McDaniels, I overlooked the generous as-sistance of ALFRED TRAMP who furtheredthe cause of my book in Austin with strategicsegements on "Good Morning Austin" and ahalf hour radio show with that city's most fa-mous radio host Sorry. Mr. Tramp, it was anoversight.. .My thanks also to Shriner KEITHJOHNSON of that city, once a member oflaw enforcement who was overjoyed with mytreatment of police officers in the book andamazed that I was so knowledgeable about po-lice procedure, forensics, toxicology, etc. Well,Keith, I put my nose to the grindstone and didsome studying.. .and, while I'm on the thankyou kick let me ditto REX MARTIN of Whea-ton. III., who put me on to a new expert who

(Continued on Page 18)

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SHOW LEAVES ENGLAND

Blaming his problems on the tax system inEngland, showman Gerry Cottle has takenhis circus, lock, stock and barrel and headedfor South Africa. Cottle says he and the cir-cus might be gone a year or maybe evenlonger.The planned tour in South Africa "couldeven be a permanent one," he said. "It alldepends on whether the womanfolk like itover there."The Cot t l e circus started on a small scaleabout eight years ago, working mainly in thesouthern part of England. It grew and expan-ded and for a time operated three units. Theshow ran into financial trouble when one ofits units was caught in Tehran at the time ofthe Iranian revolution."We lost money there," says one of the showofficials. "But we believe that in South Africathere's a chance for us to do consistently goodbusiness."The show's general manager Mike Denning de-scribes the British entertainment tax as "Kill-ing". The tax is a terrible thing and unlike theRoyal Ballet, the circus does not get a govern-ment grant. Our expenses can't be claimedback, he added.

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Page 10 Decembers, 1980

HOLIDAY CAVALCADE

"Holiday Cavalcade", the 90 minute familyattraction, is propping for it's extended Christ-mas Season tour. Produced by Ray Winder andMike Martin, the magic and variety show willre-open after a brief 2 week hiatus from thelengthy fall tour.This unit, one of several fielded by AtlanticSouthern Productions, of Sarasota, will fea-ture magician Paul Rpyter & Co., the Dubskyswith their dog and chimp acts, clowns Bingo,Debbie and Katie who will work in the showas well as doing advance promotion ahead ofthe performances.MC'd and managed by Mike Martin, the showis a fast moving, fun-filled attraction designedwith a mixed audience in mind. It is locallysponsored by civic and fraternal organizationsmany of whom have successfully used theshow as their annual fund raiser.Martin states that "coupling a professionallyhandled phone promotion a"d advance adver-tising • posters, newspaper siuiies and appear-ances by the clowns accounts for the yearlyincreasea in 'gate' business. And, naturally,the presentation of a quality show, of whichthe sponsors can be proud, accounts for theease of re-booking our regular sponsors andthe growth of new groups wanting to bringthe shows to their communities."Mr. Winder, president of Atlantic Southern,is including a more complete concession de-partment with flashy new lobby stands offer-ing consumables - cotton candy, pop corn andpeanuts, plus novelties, balloons and a new

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THE BLOOMER FAMILY7335 So. Woodward Ave., G-112

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program book designed by Mike Martin, withpictures of the cast, a coloring section andspace for performer's autographs. Calling onhis circus experience, Martin has institutedthe "old standby - peanut pitch" as a tie-inwith the balloon sales. "The increase in vol-ume," he states, "has been phenomenel."The addition of two more very capable con-tracting agents has made an expanded routepossible for the coming season. Opening inearly Feb. 1981, Atlantic Southern will betrouping Martin's own enlarged unit - 'Holi-day in Magicland'. Featuring 100 minutes ofthrills and laughs, Martin has increased hiscast and crew, has added new and startling illusions and magical effects and will be carry-ing his usual array of exotic animals, gorge-ous show girls, flashy props and stage ets,plus a complete sound and lighting system.Through out the season, the producing com-pany will offer it's growing list of sponosrs,such diverse attractions as "Jubilee" - a self-contained Gospel Music presentation featur-ing well-known performers in that field, 'Co-co and His Musical Comix' - a zany blend ofcomedy, music and magic starring "Coco"Michael Polakov, and his clown band.Atlantic Southern's Ray Winder expects the1981 season to be better than ever with families turning more and more toward clean(

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Page 12 Decembers, 1980

TRAGIC FIRES

At least 84 people were killed as a result ofthe Nov. 21st fire at the MGM Hotel in LasVegas.The tragic fire will be recorded in historybooks as the second worst hotel fire in theU. S. Yet, despite this fact, the fire does notrank with the major disasters of history.Some of the major fires in America are:+ A forest fire at Hinckley, Minn., Sept. 1,1894-413 dead.+ The Brooklyn Theatre fire, Dec. 5, 1876,Brooklyn, NY-295 dead.+ A fire on the docks at Hoboken, NJ, June30,1900-326 dead.+ A church fire at Birmingham, Ala., Sept.20,1902-115 dead.+ The Iroquois Theatre Fire at Chicago, III.Dec, 30,1903 • 602 dead.+ The Rhoads Theatre fire at Boyertown, Pa.Jan. 13,1980-170 dead.+ A school fire at Collinwood, Ohio, March4,1908-176 dead.

+ The Triangle factory fire at New York Cityon March 25,1911-145 dead.+ A forest fire at Cloquet, Minn., Oct. 12,1918 -400 dead.+ A fire at the Ohio Clinic, May 15.1929 •Cleveland, Ohio -125 dead.+ The state penitentiary fire at Columbus,Ohio, April 21,1930-320 dead.+ The Coconut Grove fire at Boston. Mass. -Nov. 28,1942 -491 dead.+ The Ringling-Bamum Circus fire at Hart-ford, Conn., July 6,1944 -168 dead.+ The Winecoff Hotel fire at Atlanta, Ga.,Dec. 7,1946 -119 dead.+ The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire atSouthgate. Ky, May 28,1977 • 165 dead.+ The Mayaguez Theatre fire at San Juan, P.R., June 20,1919-150 dead-t- A fire in a dance hall at Natchez, Miss.,April 23,1940-198 dead.The nation's wont fire was a blaze that rac-ed through the woods near Peshtigo, Wise., onon Oct. 9,1871. The death toll came to1,182 people. It occured just one day afterthe great Chicago fire.

Page 14 Decembers, 1980

NEW YORK CLOWN ALLEY

BY HANABELLE

We're marching again in the Macy's Thanks-giving Day Parade, which is probably themost prestigious in the country (did you knowthat Macy's keeps a year-round workshop go-ing in Hoboken, N. J. to refurbish the paradefrom year to year), and only Macy's personnelmarch, except by invitation.Mr. Chuck, the performing clown who headsthe parade, regularly attends Alley meeting^and is a great help. Our meetings are now heldat the McBumey YMCA, on the last Mondayof each month, on West 23rd Street in Man-hattan.The Roosevelt Field Shopping Malt has alarge Macy's branch, which has called uponour clowns to be Santa's Helpers this year.Bob*, our veep, has begun a series of lectureson his specialty, ventriloquism. Ron Randon(Root Beer) married his livpi" Judy, and ofcourse the President is exptx-. j.

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Page 16 December 8, 1980

PEOPLEVICTOR PONCE, juggler, is appearing withthe Ice Follies/Holiday on Ice, as is the Canestrelli Family, trampoline act.

JOSH SILVER, has produced "The Giant'sCircus Tour" a children's show, which is be-ing presented at the Village Gate in NewYork.

ROGER BIDDICK and WARREN WOOD, ofthe Great All American Youth Circus, attend-ed the season ending performance of the BigJohn Strong Circus at Yucaipa, Calif. Oct. 26

LYNN and JEFF BUSBY, he publishes mag-ic books, were married this past Aug. 8th andnow reside in San Francisco.

DAVID KEELUNG, of Lafayette, Calif., re-cently completed his 4,751 mile bicycle tripacross the country. It took 96 days.

RUOI and SUE LENZ are not selling theirchimps and in fact will work during the sum-mer season at Great Adventure Park, startingin April.

SEIGFRID & ROY, illusionists in Las Vegas,have three more TV specials to do for the Ir-vin Feld/Kenneth Feld combination.

LOR ETTA SWIT, star of the TV series 'Mash'has joined the campaign to protest the killingof baby seals in Canada. She has proposed a

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total boycott of Canada until the killings arestopped.

ANGELA WILNOW and her Braves (Collies)are playing Christmas shows this year in Ten-nessee, Georgia and Mississippi for the RoyalDanish Circus.

HARRY BLACKSTONE, magician, was fea-tured on the John Davidson TV Show whichwas aired the afternoon of Nov. 26th.

JOHN HARTZELL was working on a scaffoldin the backstage area of the MGM Hotel in LasVegas when a security guard came through andtold everyone to leave the building. He reportsmost of the show's backdrops and costumeshave been ruined by smoke and water.

THE AMAZING KRESKIN, magician, was aguest on the Mike Douglas TV Show whichwas broadcast on Nov. 28th.

STEVE McPEAK, high wire artist; THE BAU-ER FAMILY, sway pole act; DAVID MERRI-FlELO, aerial trapeze; ENRIQUE WALLEN-DA, high wire walker; the CHITWOOD Fam-

The Circus Report Page 17

ily, daredevil driven, were all featured on theTV Show "Daredevils" aired on Nov. 21st.

JOEY JORDAN, skating juggler, will be workjng a date with MARIO MANZINI, escape ar-tist, this month, as well as several shows in Atlantic City, N.J., for the Holiday Season.

DICK STUART recently sat in with the bandwith Magic Time USA at Richmond, Mo., andPETER STURGIS has joined the show for theremainder of the season, which ends Dec. 20at Altoona. Pa.

BOB EMERICO, clown and magician, is inthe San Francisco area for the holiday, visit-ing with friends and working some show en-gagements in the Bay Area.

ROSE AD AIR, Artists manager in New York,set several variety acts at the Genesis Club inLake Camel, N.Y.

BOBBY SMITH, juggler, visited with fellowjuggler JOEY JORDAN at Kansas City andbetween shows, showed films of his act.

SUE WINNEN, one of the dancers with theBeatty-Cole Circus, recently returned froma show tour in Japan.

BOB MOORE was presented with the covet-ed "Sydney Award" by PR ISCILLA PRES-LEY after his appearance on the TV show"Those Amazing Animals" where his Mon-grel Review was featured.

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BILL WILLIAMS, Cotton Candy the Clown,worked a Santa's Arrival party at a shoppingcenter in San Pablo, Calif., early this month.

REX HORTON, bear act, and GRAN MAR,high wire performer, are working holidayshows in the east.

JOHN YOUNG (1616 Redwood St., No. 5,Sarasota, Fla. 33581) is a contortionist en-thusiast who is interested in correspondingwith others having similar interests.

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Page 18 Decembers, 1980

in turn is misting me on essential forensic de-tails with my new book, scheduled for releasein Nov. 1981.. .Circus folks were traipsingdowntown during our Ft. Worth run to eyethe window featuring my book in "Barber'sBook Store" where books were pyramidedin front of a poster with pictures and a blurbreading "America's Newest Mystery Writer -The Successor to Agatha Christie." Inside thestore were other giant displays, one of whichheralded my imminent appearance to auto-graph books. Since it was my first major au-tographing party I must admit I was excitedabout it.

SNAPSHOTS: DAVID STRONG managedDENNIE PINSON's "coat concession" in theBlue Room after Dennie dropped off the coatsand journeyed North with his folks for a series

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of Xmas shows.. Joining MARGARET MeLEAN for dental work was EARL MICHAELSwho had two teeth pulled in Ft. Worth. Mar-garet is feeling fine after extensive dental care,including that ever-so-painful root-canal....TRUDY STRONG finally added the pony toher Dalmatian dog act.. .RON PERRY is prac-ticing unsupported ladder.. .Took HER8IEWEBER at least two days and heaven knowshow many cans of liquid wrench to pry hiswire jacks apart for his plane trip to San Fran-cisco.

Looking hale and hearty is CLEO PLUNKETTwhom I hadn't seen for many years.. .Thosecostumes used in the space number to intro-duce BILL and TRUDY were made by ISABELLA FERRERA. Bill, incidentally, suffered abronchial congestion during the Ft. Worth runfound breathing painful and difficult. It seemsnone of us got over the colds caught in Hous-ton where the weather was hot and humid andwhere the building was air-conditioned.. TOMMY HANNEFORD due to visit in Ft. Worth,didn't, because his show had picked up extradates in the South.. .TARZAN is expected inDallas, he visited already in Houston.. .AerialBid Cage trapeze girts in Texas were Isabella,Sally Ibarra, Marcella (Chass Beasly), Jackieand Heidi Krause and Pam Perry.. .REX andSANDY YOUNG skeeded to be with CircusOdyssey in Puerto Rico.. .FRANK GALAM-BOS was Rex's golf partner on the Texas run.The equine display on Castle in '81 will fea-

ture 3 rings of dressage.. .Evidently, the Buf-falo Shrine date produced by IAN GARDENis by arrangement with GEORGE HUBLERwho has a conflicting date. Hubler has pro-duced Buffalo for the past several years, bring-ing in, as always, a good show Carden-John-son has Oklahoma City - Hamid-Morton has St.Paul - every year filing show dates is like play-ing checkers. . Hamid wilt open in Bingham-ton in '81 and then goes to Hartford.. .I'Mnot sure but I think the Buffalo and Roches-ter Shrine dates run the same week this com-ing year-that's unusual.

One of Wade Burck's tigers lost a tooth andwe kidded DAVE (who tends the beasts) byasking him to open their mouths and find outwhich tiger lost it! No sense of humor, thatboy!.. BETTY HUBER's daughter lives inCalifornia.

LATE DEVELOPMENTS: One of the ele-phant handlers, Phil, a young man from Cali-fornia, became another character in the cast of

(Continued on Page 20)

Page 20 Decembers, 1980

the continuing saga of nightmare injuries fromelephants, when he brunted about by the Cun-eo bull "Billy/' suffered 7 broken ribs and abroken jaw.. .REX WILLIAMS is back on theVargas show after his visit to a hospital...

DAVE MERRIFIELD will become a unitmanager for TOMMY BARTLETT in '81 andit looks as though Dave is retiring from theair to become an executive. Well, Dave, I'll beright behind you.. .Meanwhile, MARK PI L-GER, a young man from Baraboo who didcloud swing and trapeze on Garden-Johnsonthis season and who was helped along in thebusiness by BOBBY and ROSA GIBBS, willperform the helicopter trapeze sensation in '81for JIM GROGAN and the act will play thebartlett Water Show at Wisconsin Dells. .PATDAVISON was up to his ingenious tricks withpen and ink and his latest cartoon was one ofBobby Gibbs in Wade Burck's sexy elephantcostume staring at himself in a mirror. Thecaption reads: "Rosa, Rosa, How do I look?"Bobby loved it and so did «t "f us. I justcan't say enough about Pat's incredible talent.The guy is a superb artist with a sharp anddiscerning wit.. .The irrepressible TOMMYBENTLEY paid us a surprise visit enroute tothe Vargas show. He had just driven in fromLowell (Mass) where he and Chuck had woundup their promotion for Christmas shows. TheBenttey Bros. Circus will begin operations inJune 1981 and continue straight thru intoSept. The show has signed many new dates.As always Tommy was a sensation on theshow, captivating everyone with his droll stor-ies and razor-like wit. We were happy to seehim.

DOROTHY ORESTO, while walking her dogin a secluded area outside the coliseum, was

confronted by a man leaping from the bushesand brandishing a knife. Fortunately the Dofaerman scared the would-be assailant away.Dorothy was shaken by the incident andthereafter nobody wandered around the arenaduring dark hours without an escort. She andRICHARD returned to Las Vegas after the Ft.Worth engagement

Margaret and Wade Burck expect their babyright after the New Year.. .A new illusion actthat's been touring with Tihany will be featur-ed with Circus Vargas in '81... A Chipperfieldcat act will grace the Hamid-Morton Circusnext season as that show's featured attraction.

MICKEY GAFFRON (or Micki). originallyfrom the Hortybagi Troupe is now a rider withROGER ZOPPE's new act.. .RICHARD RO-SIO surprised KEITH and HELEN KILLINGERwhen he showed up in a long black limousinewith the daughter of a Greek shipping magnatesitting in the back. Story is he's showing theheiress around the USA. He is supposed to bein Puerto Rico with Circus Odyssey next win-ter; ditto the RAMOS TROUPE... ZENKAMALI KOVA, perhaps the greatest female highwire walker of all time, visited with her daugh-ter WANDA and with Wanda's handsome youngson. MALIKOVA is still mourning the death ofher late husband and says to visit the Ft. WorthColiseum for her is painful.

My mother has been removed to a Rehabili-tation Center in Mechanicsburg. Pa. wheredoctors hope to teach her to walk and to talkagain. The center is about 50 miles from myhome, but only three miles from the home ofmy good friend MACK ESHLEMAN and so Iwill stay with him when I go up there.

At the Lions Club Circus in San Antoniowere the following acts: Pat and Gwen Davi-son, Shappi and Linda, Ron and Pam Perry,

(Continued on Page 22)

Page 22 Decembers, 1980

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

This year's Anaheim (Calif) Halloween Festivalproceeded its 57th annual televised night-timeparade with a three ring circus spectacular pro-duced by Warren C. Wood and Associates. Thepre-parade activities were held at the GloverFootball Stadium in the Southern Californiacity's La Raima Park, on Oct. 31st, where the1,2 mile lighted parade first passed in review.The cast of 23 were introduced in a GrandSpec as they entered the stadium on twofloats from the Dumbo's Circus secion of Dis-neyland's Very Merry Christmas Parade.Ringmaster Warren Wood announced the firstdisplay, an eight member precision unicycleact, the Super Cyclists, that included manyunusually shaped cycles. A three ring aerialdisplay followed with the La Croix and BellDuos on the cradle and the Toman Duo ondouble trapeze.Fourth and fifth on the program were theWray's well-received trampo, ,ct with com-edy by Glenn Duncan and Chuck Craw's dive

Davide Zoppe Family, Poco and Slo-Poke,Mach Eshleman, Isabella, with musicians LeoMascitto and Steve Lockwood, and ringmas-ter Earl Michaels. The date was played Nov.21st.

Other visitors in Ft. Worth included: JeffPlunkett, Gary Henry and Carmen Hall andher new husband.AND now ... on to Dallas!SEE YOU down the road, luvs.

into an air bag. Outside rings of adagio teeter-board by the Duncans and the Brandys and acenter stage hand balancing number by Dan-ny Castoldi proceeded Sid Moore's Mess ofMutts, booked by Paul V. Kaye. Closing fea-ture of the show was the Pegasus Flyers, fly-ing trapeze.

The circus was followed by a fireworks dis-play staged and choreographed by Disneyland.

C I R C U S - P A R K S - ICE S H O W S - C L U B S

JOHNNY PEERSP. O. Box 673Altadena, Ca. 91001

*81 — Funny Comedy ActsCircus Vargas - 1974 - 1977

BOOKING FORProducing ClownSandy Dobritch - Busch Gardens, Va. - 1978American Continental Circus - 1979Tihany Fantastico Circo - 1980

DRIVE THRU ANIMAL PARKROUTE 2

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI 63701

PHONE: 5 MILES NORTH OFDAY - 24S-21U CAPE GIRARDEAU. MISSOURI

NIGHT - 243*7245 OFF ROUTE W

The 5~H Ranch Mould like to thank all the buyers* consignors* andvisitors from 1*3 states and U foreign countries who helped make thisyear's auction the largest and most successful exotic animal auctionever held In the continental United States. Over 1600 head of exotichoofed animals and 3**0 head of exotic birds changed ownership.

Flan now to attend our next giant exotic sale to be held In the middleof October 1981.

We also buy and sell all types of animals dally.For more information contacti

Dave Hale5-H Ranch Drive Thru Animal ParkRoute 2Cape Girardeau, HO 63701(31*0 2U3-2116 (day)(31*0 243-7245 (nlte)

Ho. Dept. of Conservation W i l d l i f e Breeders Permit No. 290USDA Permit No. U3-76-LUSPWS Waterfowl Sale and Disposal Permit No. PRT 2-5563 TVUSPWS Captive-bred Wildlife Registration No. PRT 2-5361

Page 24 Decembers, 1980

HOLIDAY HIPPODROME

BY C. H ROWLAND

Holiday Hippodrome, America's original stagecircus, came to Colonial Heights. Va., on Nov.15th. The show was in the high school auditorium with an entourage of international perfor-mers. The lively 90 minute presentation wasfull of fun and laughter, for the % house.Brad Bradbury does a wonderful job with theHoliday Hippodrome show every year. He isgreat with the children of the audience. Eachtime he comes on stage they would perk upto see what he had in store for them to see.The distinctive arrary of acts were: The MadHatters (Drougetts); Magic (Bradbury & Co);Foot Juggling (Miss Randa Lynn); the PorkChop Revue; Balloon Animals (Bradbury);Traps (Miss Christina); Magic (Bradbury);Hand Balancing (Danny Gary), and Juggling(The Drougetts).Music for the show was provided by BradBradbury at the organ and Phil Oler on thedrums.As usual, this was a delightful show for thewhole family.

For Sale or TradeLIONS - 3 weeks up to

yerlings.

BENGAL TIGERS 8weeks old

COUGARS - 4 weeksold

MONKEYS - Large Var-iety in Stock of all ages.

ANTONIO ALENTADO9564 S. W. 58th StreetMiami, Florida - 33173

Phone: 305 - 595 - 9428 or 5741

YOUNG, SMALL TRICK DOG

Send Photos, Description of Routinesand Price

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Miami Beach. Fla. - 33141

MAGK LWlUf LlOTD t KMES - WIN AVI. OAKLAND, (A tun

BY L L O Y D E . J O N E SARTHUR MURATA, chief magician at the

late Magic Cellar in San Francisco lectured lo-cally and while attending I learned that thiswas not his first lecture as I had assumed, thathe has lecture notes, and news of a new hang-out for magicians.The lecture featured a Sidewalk Shuffle with

no gimmicked cards and a rope routine of re-leases, all in print and for which he just claimsthe routining. It's tested material and aboveall - entertaining. The notes sell for $4.00 andpostage at First Class would be 67c, or bookrate at 59c. It's neatly printed on 20 pages,and illustrated by Wendy Rose and with plas-tic clamp binding with a cover.The lecture was short but many then asked

for and received further instructions on thenine tricks and routines plus many of his fa-vorite close-up tricks.The new hang-out will be known as "Cedric's

Magic Club" and will be filled with magic memorabilia of interest which has been accumulat-ed. The Carter material remains under the con-trol of Turk Murphy Associates. The locationhas not yet been determined and a circular is

(Continued on Page 26)

BOOKING FOR 1981t DOG and PONY ACTt ONE D R E S S A G E H O R S Et ONE LONG REIN H O R S E

PATTI A N T A L E KP. 0. Box 317

De Land, Florida- 32720

2 Female Elephants - Young(Dates to go with them)

12 ft. Concession Trailer -6 Chimp Breeding Colony -

(with cages)

1973 Int'l Tractor -Elephant truck

35 KW Caterpillar Generator

Excellent condition - withor without equipment

1969 CMC V-6- 5500 unit

- WILL F I N A N C E RIGHT PARTY

C a l l : M U R R A Y H I L L

417 - 738 - 4225

Leave n u m b e r w h e r e you can be reached

NOW BOOKING ACTSfor 1982 Season

Arena Productions, Inc., producers of the world-famous ROYALLIP IZZAN STALLION SHOW, now touring the United Statesand Canada, is accepting applications for equestrian artists withfully produced acts that will fit within our format and production

+ High School + Comedy Esquestrian + Long Line

Forty-week tour - Top Pay - We Pay Stabling, Feed and Beddingwhile on tour - We play only the best Arenas and Coliseums.

Please call or write: Gary Lashinsky, c/o Arena Productions, Inc.Producers of THE R O Y A L L I P I Z Z A N STALLION SHOW

P. O. Box 160547, Miami . H = 33116 305/279-5280

Decembers, 1980

A Ml MM* 0» TMt AM(*'CAM ASSOCIATION Of ZOOS

•̂ ^̂ ^

»T f B»UO» S(XC O«*Ni» • DlftlCTO*

Specializing in captive-breeding and sale of rare cats and prosimians of the world

P. O. Box 132Center Hill, Ha. 33514

Phone:904-793-2109

MAGIC/VARIETY SHOW

The Pan American Magic & Variety Show, under the direction of Allan C. Hill, opened atJohnson City, N. Y., on Nov. 19th, for its 30day tour which will take them to New York,Pennsylvania and New Jersey, closing on Dec.22nd.Headliner for the tour is Josef W. Smiley &Co., and supporting Smiley are the VidbelFamily with their dogs and chimps, andclowning by Hosie Diaz. The show plays tothe accompaniment of Bob and Ken Parker,with Dick Palmer serving as concessions man-ager. General agent for the hour and a halfshow is Jim Raab.

MiscellaneousCircus Vargas presented three shows on Nov.27 (Thanksgiving Day) at Las Cruces, N. M.Their season closed Dec. 7th at Douglas, Arz.and the show will winter at Casa Grande.

Murphy Bros. Exposition has been signed forthe midway at the State Fair in Wisconsinfor the 1981 season.

BOOK WORM (Continued)

sued is just a feeler for prospective membersat a night spot with a full bad and food ser-vice. Magicians and varied entertainers willfurnish the main attraction and for furtherinformation one should write: Cedric's MagicClub, P. 0. Box 4434, Berkeley, Ca. 94704.

Another bargain has been added to our grow-ing list. This is the paper back book "TheGreat HoudiniV by Mel Shevelson. Originallypriced at $2.50, we have it for $1.50 with 1stClass postage at 54c, or at no extra charge witha book order of more than this. A Star paperback it has an art cover and 176 pages, orginal-ly published in 1977, it will add more to theHoudini legend.

Fresh in stock is a reprint of the Harmanmanuscripts of inner card magic in large sizeprinted form. No. 1, is "Packet Magic", No. 2,"Card Fare", No. 3 "Loose Ends", No. 4"Means and Ends" and each is $12.50, wellprinted and desirable. No. 5 consists of threein one, those being "Super Dupes", "OddLifts" and "Secret Substructions" and thisone is $15.00. This latter is 103 pages withthe other around 55 to 75 pages. Those nothaving the original manuscripts and likingcard methods will want these.

The Circus Report Page 27

Show ReportHADI TEMPLE SHRINE CIRCUS

The Hadi Temple Shrine Circus, presented atRoberts Municipal Indoor Stadium, at Evans-ville, Ind., (Nov. 27-30} was produced by PaulV. Kaye and the Kaye Continental Circus. Itwas the show's 47th annual presentation.The program lists: Pre-show warm-up by theHadi Temple Funsters featuring producingclown Happy Kellems; Hadi Temple MountedColor Guard and Chanters; National Anthem;Circus Overture directed by Jack Cervone; the"Circusland Fantasy" spec with all personnel;Display with Venicio, Ann, Carole on trapezeand Guadalupe, Juan, Paulo and Roberto onloops and Maryse on ladder; The Rix Bear*;Aerial cradle display with the Monterey Duo,the Cheryl Duo and Roberto Duo; Clowns;Spanish Forse Fantasy presented by the 01-medas; Jorge's Unpredictable Car, comedycar number; Display with the Wayne Trio,acrobatic, the Dielkas Sisters, globes andthe Antonio Trio, cycles/juggling; Clowns;

My-lmmba's Afhcan Baboons; Aerial Balletfeaturing Lorelei, trapeze star; ChristopherJames, tight wire; Intermission.The second half features: The Elj/abeth Sis-ters, hair hang number; Ada Smeiya's tionsand tigers; The Flying Rodriguez, double-widetrapeze act; Clowns; Linda, Shawn and BenDeWayne with the Kaye Hollywood Elephants;Eleanor and Gene Mendez, high wire; TheWainwrights, Plunkett Family and PabloTroupe, trampoline display; The Aerial Paul-sons, aerial motorcycle; Exit March.Ringmaster/announcer for the show was PaulV. Kaye; James L. Nassif handled the lightingand Paul MacCausland was prop boss.

Page 28 Decembers, 1980

smiling Theatrical Productions LtdEstablished 1919 0. William Shilling, Pres.

A L W A Y S LOOKING FOR TOP ACTS AND EXHIBITS FOR

SHOPPING MALLS, SPORTS SHOWS, FAIRS AND PARKS

P.O.Box 11817 Sarasota, Florida 33578 813-371-3707

CHRISTMAS SHOW

Wm. F. Hill, Sr. and his son Ted, are touringa New York Theatre show for children called"Merry Christmas Mother Goose," presentedby Fan Fare Theatre Productions, Inc.They opened their 31 day tour at Honesdale,Pa., and will travel through Pennsylvania andMaryland, finishing on Dec. ""tK

Evan and Joan Thompson of New York Cityare the leads in the cast of eight. This chil-dren's musical is being received very well bythe general public. The performance is anhour and a half. Buck Nolan, world's tallestclown, handles come in and intermission.The tour was booked by General Agent JimRaab. This was a change from the past fouryears when Bill and Ted toured an easternunit of the Pan American Variety & StageShow.

Dear Agents and Producers -

Please do not book my son,JOEY JORDAN, the juggler, forDecember 25th. He is alwaysworking. He is a good boy and,broken plates and all, we wantto have him home for Christmas.

Thank you,

JOEY'S MOM.

Dear Mom -

Sorry! I am already booked forChristmas; but will fly home tosee you all the following day!

Your loving son,

JOEY

P. S. Is there still room to practicein the kitchen?

JOKY JORDAN - Juggler E l i t e - "A NewKind of Performer'- NOW BOOKING FOR 1990 AND BEFORE -

Contact: JOEY (212) 581 - 6470, His Manager or His Mom!850 Seventh Avenue, Suite 705, New York, N. Y. • 10019 - U. S. A.

The Circus Report Page 29

Memo to Our ReadersIn order to have this issue of Circus Report inthe mail on schedule, so you will get it with-out delay, it has been necessary to hold somecopy material and advertising over until theupcoming week.We are behind on schedule once again and arehoping to get back to normal this month.By the way, the last copy of CR for this yearwill be dated Dec. 22nd. There will be a brieflapse until the first issue of 1981, which willbe dated Jan. 5.1981.We hope you have a Happy Holiday Season)

Circus Report addressed to the following sub-scribers have recently been returned becausethe Post Office says they are unable to deliverthem as addressed:H. Kenneth Krakat Vino Berosini

Tina and Brian Grieser A. Fossett

Mary J. Simpson

SARA GARCIA (85) known as the grand-mother of Mexican cinema, died of a heartattack on Nov. 23rd. She appeared in some350 movies, beginning in 1919, and also wasactive in radio and theatre.

CLARENCE SLYTER (80) well-known ma-gician, died after a long illness at a Rest Homein Petaluma, Calif., on Nov. 20th. His act wasa classic called "A Magician's Night Out" andfeatured appearing and disappearing shot glas-ses of liquor, steins of beer, balloons, etc. Hefirst came into magical note at a PCAM con-vention in Seattle in 1933.'Burial was in Ta-coma. Wash.

MAE WEST (87) the legendary Hollywoodbombshell died at her home in Los Angeleson Nov. 22nd. It was just three weeks aftershe had returned home from a lengthy stayin the hospital, recuperating from a stroke.Her show business career started at the ageof 5 when she appeared in a stage play. Shewas active in Vaudeville, theatre and films,working with most of the greats of showbusiness.

Page 30 Decembers, 1980

COMING SOONA variety of interesting and unusual featuresare planned for upcoming issues of Circus Report, all of which you will want to read.Coming soon is a report on the British CircusSeason of 1980, by Jack Niblett, and also areport on the Busch Roland Circus, of Ger-many, by John Albert).Readers will also be interested in the contin-uing tax battle between Ringling-Barnum andthe County of Sarasota, in Florida.Reports continue to come in about the newindoor version of the Beatty-Cole Circus andthese will be printed as time and space willpermit.Billy Barton has stories on the last date ofthe Texas Shrine tour, as well as some ofthe other eastern show engagements.Better tell your friends about Circus Reportnow, so they can order a subscription andthen have the news information as soon asyou do, and besides you won't have to loanyour copy then.

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