thecircusblog | June 30, 2010
Today I got a gratifying call from Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I had called his office to voice my disappointment in his derrogatory remarks about my profession….”the circus.” If you have read my editorial on the circus blog you will understand why I was upset with his statesment. He called to apologize to me personally and [...]
thecircusblog | June 30, 2010
The ladies and clowns of the Sells Floto Circus. Photo taken at South Ozone Park, New York. 1932.
thecircusblog | June 30, 2010
Top row 3rd from left is George “Deafy” Denman, an early superintendent of the elephants. Irvington, NJ. June 9th,1931.
thecircusblog | June 30, 2010
Special cowboy movie stars such as Tom Mix often appeared with many of our great circuses and would spend several weeks on the road with them until it came time to shoot another western. Tom was one of many along with Tim McCoy. Ken Menard, Duncan Reynaldo …. to name a few that were featured [...]
thecircusblog | June 30, 2010
A fast shot just before an afternoon performance. Photo taken on the Hagenbeck and Wallace Circus, 1931.
thecircusblog | June 26, 2010
Years ago this was one of the best forms of communication between agent and performer. These western union telegrams were as good as any contract. As a matter of fact this was your contract. This is a telegram that came from Bert Levey to the Quackenbushes, a well known agent that booked the A circuit. Many was the [...]
thecircusblog | June 26, 2010
A graceful young lady that had a show business dream. Her ambition was to become a performer of the arts and she succeeded.
thecircusblog | June 26, 2010
Lillian created her own dance academy in Tacoma, WA in the 1920’s. She excelled in piano and other instruments but she loved comedy. In 1928 she teamed up with Eddie Page and built an act called Ma and Pa Quackenbush. They toured the country doing fairs, nightclubs, vaudeville and now and again a circus or [...]
thecircusblog | June 26, 2010
Ma Quackenbush made a song and dance routine come alive…..so much so it made you part of the act.
thecircusblog | June 26, 2010
Old style comedy that made you laugh till you hurt. Their one liners were current and to the point, with just a touch of light blue innuendo. The Quackenbush humor allowed you to use the theater of your own mind.
