YESTERDAY'S TOWNS

HOWDY, MY NAME IS BILL STRONG, I'LL BE YOUR "24 HOUR MAN", ROUTING YOU INTO THE PAST TO SEE WHAT THE CIRCUS WAS IN DAYS GONE BY. IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, AND MISS WHAT IT USED TO BE, THEN COME ON ALONG AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD FOLLOWING THE ARROWS BACKWARDS, TO "YESTERDAY'S TOWNS"! IF YOU HAVE CIRCUS RELATED PICTURES YOU WOULD LIKE POSTED, SEND THEM TO,,,,yesterday1@verizon.net,,,,AND WE WILL TRY TO FIT THEM IN. "24 HOUR MAN" WILL HAVE THE FINAL DECISION ON POSTING.

My Photo
Name:
Location: GIBSONTON, FLORIDA, United States

Three years at CWM made me a real traditionalist, and I keep remembering Bob Parkinson saying, "I want the people to see what the circus used to be, not what it is today. That's what this site is about!

Thursday, August 31, 2006

MEMORIES: FACES FROM THE PAST


No special subject, just some images to stir your memory of days gone by.

This was one names you hear when performers cut up jackpots about what used to be.
Here is Herta Klauser,(now Herta Cuneo), in her families Bear Act, Klauser's Bears.
It was inscribed to Trudy & I on our Wedding Day, on the Hamid-Morton Circus, in Trenton NJ, 1959.

FACES # 2



Here are a couple of 1950's Dog Acts, on top are the Cimse Sisters, with their Scottish Collies.
The bottom photo is Sylvia Watkins, & her daughter Pat,(Sylvia was the wife of Chimpanzee Trainer Ira Watkins, and also mother of "Buddy" Watkins).

FACES # 3


This is "The Side Show King", Mr. Ward Hall. Ward is seen here with Leonardo, I believe, his first partner, the photo is inscribed to Gil & Lil Wilson, and dated 1961, although it may have been taken earlier.

I have been informed by Ward that the photo was taken in 1957.

FACES # 4


The Alberto Zoppe "Bareback" Riding Troupe, Hamid-Morton Circus, Kasas City Mo, 1954. Left to Right are, Joanie Letty,(later married Billy Valentine), Annie Robbins Edleson,(Willie's wife), Antoinette,(now married to Ray McMahon), Sandy ?, Penny Wilson,(later married to Micky Rodriguez), & Bea Konyot,(later married to Walker Dick,originator of "The All American Boys" Trampoline Troupe). On horse back are Jackie Bostock, & Alberto Zoppe holding Cucciolo.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

CLASS PORTRAIT: HOUSTON 1963


Jackie Wong sent me this Cast Photo of Houston, Texas' Arabia Temple Shrine Circus of 1963. Some of the acts, were The Jim Wong Troupe; Chai & Somai; The Verdus,(Globes); Jeanine Pivotou,(Rings & one arm swings); Victor Julian,(Dress Dogs); Mario Ivanov,(Revolving Ladder);Joe Lemke,(Chimps); The Almiras,(Juggling);The Goetches,(Emil Sr. Jr. & Lola); The Dubskys,(Risley); The Coronas,(High Wire); Rhodines,(Revolving Ladder); The Wilson Sisters,(Linda & Donna,Globes);Norbu,(Human Gorilla); Frisky's Ponies; The Henrys,Glenn, Gary, & Zoe,(Ponies); The Carlos Twins,(Synchronized Hand Balancing)(I have a great early photo of them in my ebay store) Hal Sands Manhattan Rockets; Bob Atterbury was the director; Ernie McClain, Ringmaster; & Izzy Cervone had the Band.
Have you been to, "THE GIBTOWN CIRCUS DIME'S STORE"????

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

SNAPSHOT:BERTHA NONNENMACHER # 1




If you've seen pictures I have posted of the Hamid-Morton Aerial Ballet, you'll see that Bertha was one of them, however she was not just another "web girl", she had been on the show before as one of the girls in the High Act, "Peaches Sky Review", which had as many as 12 girls in the air on one rigging. Bertha then worked in The Wallenda Productions, before becoming a member of the famed Wilfred Mae Trio Hoop Juggling Act seen here with Wilfred Jr. who retired. That is Bertha on the left in the composite picture. I'm not sure if the top picture is actually Peaches' act but is a good example.

BERTHA NONNENMACHER # 2


Years ago it was every acts goal to play "The Palace",(The RKO Palace Theater on Broadway)as you can see here The Wilfred Mae Trio did, and many other top spots as well as Circuses such as Tom Packs, which is where they recruited Bertha,(who was working in the Wallenda Aerial Productions), when Wilfred's son decided to retire. The hoops they juggled were actually 26" oak bicycle rims and were very heavy, Bertha having worked in the air so long had the strength it took, in fact Wilfred Mae remarked that she was the only girl he saw juggle 4.

BERTHA NONNENMACHER CAMPISI


Bertha married Frank Campisi who was a featured diver, & member of The Aqua Zanies with Elliott Murphy's Flushing Meadows Aqua Show, at the the 1939 World's Fair Grounds in Queens, NY. Frank also did a Trampoline Act with partner Lou Verrone that did an extensive tour of Europe, including appearances at The Moulin Rouge in Paris, & The London Paladium. This picture is from a Sports Illustrated feature, "Sportsman of the Week".

To Mark if you ever look in, YES, it is the same Frank & Bertha Campisi, it is truly a small world.

Monday, August 28, 2006

SNAPSHOTS: BERTHA CAMPISI WITH THE WALLENDA TROUPE, IN THE EARLY 1950's


This is another batch of photos sent to me by Bertha Campisi, showing her career with the Wallendas, the first is of Bertha & Terry Nachamkin,(now Terry Abbot) doing a Revolving Lyre Act.

WALLENDAS # 2


This is the Wallenda Roman Ladder Act, I seem to remember an earlier version of this act with much longer ladders & more people. I can't identify, the girls, but the two guys are, Leon Fort on top, & Norbert Kriesch on the bottom,(how did that ever happen).CORRECTED: I now know that this is an end ring act in a display of Roman Ladders, the big act is in the center ring. The girls here on the left are Terry on top, & Claire on the bottom, the right are Joanie on top, & Bertha on the bottom.

THE WALLENDAS # 3


These are the girls from the Iron Jaw Carousel, from L to R, Carla, Edith, Margo, Bertha, Terry, Arden, & Joanie.

THE WALLENDAS # 4


These are the Wallenda Web Girls, from the left are, Claire, Bertha Nonnenmacher Campisi, Terry Nachamkin Abbot, Carla Wallenda, Edith Wallenda,(Herman's wife), Gertrude Wallenda, Yetty Wallenda Grotenfent,(Arthur's wife), Joan Wolf, Joanie Letty Vallentine, Helen Wallenda, & Arden Kriesch.

THE WALLENDAS # 5


Here is the Wallenda Roman Ladder display, the girls are, from the left, Rose Beehee, Arden Kriesch, Yetty Wallenda Grotenfent Bertha Nonnenmacher Campisi, Edith Wallenda,(Herman's wife), Rosemarie Wallenda,(Herman, & Edith's daughter), Helen Wallenda, Carla Wallenda, Margo ?, Joanie Letty Valentine, Terry Nachamkin Abbot, Claire ?, & Gertrude Wallenda. The men are Karl Wallenda, Leon Fort, Arthur Grotenfent, Herman Wallenda, Gene Mendez, Joe Seitz, & Norbert Kriesch. Which three men in the group formed their own High Wire Act. The men in dark shirts, & girls in two piece costumes are the center ring act.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

QUASSAR'S QUIZ: NO HINTS ON THIS ONE


Who is this lovely, talented, young lady, I admit, I didn't know until Trudy, & Joanne told me.

Friday, August 25, 2006

THE JIM WONG TROUPE


This is for all you Gil Gray Circus alumnae, pay attention because I'm NOT going to ask questions later because I won't know the answers either. As far as I know there were 4 Wong Brothers,George, Jim, Sung,(all deceased),& Lum. Here's the Jim Wong Troupe in the late '50's, doing the handstand on the arms is Jackie, Sung, the understander, and Lum, doing the handstand on the head are Jackie, & Carl's Uncles( Carl evidently has not joined the act yet).doing the plange is Joe,(connection with the family is unknown to me).

WONG FAMILY # 2


Stay with me now, if I get through this one it will be a miracle. Seated, from the left is Carl Wong, Vincent's Grandfather, Vincent, his father Vlastic Valla, his mother Kim Sue,(daughter of Carl Wong & Joanne Wilson), his Great Aunt Eileen & Great Uncle Jackie, his Great Grandmother Wong, & Great Great Uncle Lum Wong.

WONG FAMILY # 3


Here is Vincent with his Great Uncle Jackie & Great Aunt Eileen, they have a son Danny, who is a Doctor.

WONG FAMILY # 4


This is Kim Sue with her Grand Mother Wong, & Great Uncle Lum

WONG FAMILY # 5


I hope you are not as confused as I am. What it all leads to is this photo of Vlastic, & Kim Sue's son Vincent age 5 yrs. & his Great Great Uncle Lum Wong, 95 Years Young!!!! That's 90 years difference, almost a century.

KRONE KORNER: KRONE ELEPHANTS




We haven't been over to Circus Krone for a while, so here's a look at the Elephant Act being presented by Banda Vidane,(I've heard many Elephant Historians say that Banda's father did the first Head Carry, on Ringling in 1928).
The first picture is a little fuzzy, could be from the spotlight, they seldom come up that high, what I liked on Krone was most of the light stays in the ring where it belongs. You would think as long as we were there I could tell you how many elephants were in the act, they do a lot of going in & out so it's hard to tell.

KRONE ELEPHANTS #2




In the top picture you see the big African on her way to the back door to join the act, notice she is being led with a dog leash, it looks like he,s pulling hard but they're moving along at a pretty good rate and he is trying to stay ahead of her.
The second picture shows the herd in electric fenced corrals, and the third they,re getting brushed for the show. The platforms you see are used no matter what surface the tent is on, the sidewall stretches to the stake line to give more working space behind.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

SNAPSHOTS: TEETERBOARD ACTS THROUGH THE YEARS


There have been many great teeterboard acts through the years, and these are just a few of them. I just happen to have their pictures handy. Since we're following the arrows backwards, I'll start in 1978, on the L.N.Fleckles Circus with The Hortobagi Troupe. The boys are Koko, Paul, George, & Charlie. The girls are, Micki, Marcella, & Juanita.

TEETERBOARD ACTS # 3


This Hamid-Morton Circus 1959, The Staneks, I can remember this well as when Trudy & I were married in Trenton that year, some of these guys were ushers. They are L to R, Johnny, Lutzi Lacy,(Filling in), Tibi, Andre, Alex, & Gogi.

TEETERBOARD ACTS # 2


This is the Amandis Troupe, L to R are Finn, Helen, Gunnar, Finn's wife,(and I am embarassed that I can't remember her name), & Werner. The closest I can come to a date would be '60's.

TEETERBOARD ACTS # 4


This is the original Lang Troupe, from Sheboygan, Wisc.(also the home of Clown Percy Radamacher),L to R are Bob ?, Irv Lang, Joe Sagal, Beverly,(now Beverly Rudynoff, wife of Rudy Jr,), Pat Bearns, & Mrs. Lang. This is on Hamid-Morton Circus 1956.

TEETERBOARDS ACTS # 5


This is The Cristiani Troupe on Cole Bros. Circus, 1946, and I have to admit, I have no idea who is who!!!!

Monday, August 21, 2006

QUASSARS QUIZ: WHO TOOK A BUSTER


This should be an easy one. Who is the member of this act that took a very bad fall, almost never walked again, but overcame his injuries and became a "great clown"?

QUASSARS QUIZ # 2: AND THE ANSWER IS


If you guessed Danny Chapman, you were absolutely right, here he is with his pal Hogan. We feel quite proud of, & humbled by the inscription he wrote, because believe me, there is no comparing what happened to us, & what happened to Danny.
"Hialiah, Fla.
Where Bill & Trudy
joined us others in a
buster and came
through. Best of Luck.
Love
Danny Chapman

SNAPSHOT: PHILADELPHIA THRILL SHOW


The Philadelphia Police Department staged their Hero Fund, Aerial Thrill Show every year in the old football stadium, for the life of me I can't remember the name. The show consisted of several big aerial acts, the Police Motorcycle Team,who did their entrance down a ramp from the top of one end of the seats, quite spectacular. The acts pictured here are, (L to R), The Sensational Leighs,(wheel), The Pirates of The Sky, Miss Bruno,(break away pole,working), The Quassars,(rocket), Rasini Rocket Car, also there were The Winns,(incline motorcycle). Since we built the Rocket in '74, and retired it outdoors in'79, this picture would be in that time span.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

SNAPSHOT: MONSTER RIGGING


This was Rasini's Rocket Car, the car would come down the ramp, do a forward somersault, and land on a huge trampoline type canvas bed that was on rollers, upon impact the rollers would unroll giving a soft landing with no bounce.(hopefully!!!!). Everyone would take bets on whether the car would even reach the bed, let alone land upright. Bob Atterbury had the car after Rasini,and used to hire guys to "drive" it, I remember one in particular whose nickname was "Corpse"

Saturday, August 19, 2006

SNAPSHOTS: HIGH ACTS # 1 RUDY BERG





Billy Barton once said in his Circus Report column that Mike & Hope Kent were the last of the High Acts, right away all the younger aerial acts were up in arms. What they didn't know was a High Act was a particular group of acts, most had Trapeze on one side of their high pole, and Rings on the other, some finished with a Swaypole on top, a High Dive, or a Slide For Life, as the one shown here. This is Rudy Berg, in photo #1 he is just finishing his walk up the incline wire, in #2 he is doing an upside down loop walk, in #3 a little sky dancing, & in #4 a neck slide, or possibly iron jaw.

HIGH ACT # 2 THE APOLLOS


Here is another High Act rigging, it is probably the most common type that I remember, some, like J.D.Martin who did a single, had just one swaypole in the center. Some of the riggings were double ladders, with a Cradle in between, I remember a High Act on Tom Packs Circus in the late '50's that still had wooden ladders. This act The Apollos, is not to be confused with Phil & Fran Schacht's Flying Apollos.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

SNAPSHOT: SARASOTA CIRCUS FESTIVAL PARADE


Here is Col. John Herriott leading the Festival Parade, as usual I don't have the year, I'm sure someone will come up with it. Too bad we let this get away.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

SNAPSHOTS: SHOW FOLKS FLEA MARKET


I'm really not sure if this is 2000, or 2001, one thing for sure, I guess like everything else, it doesn't seem the same now, not as many sellers or buyers,( or lookers, as the case may be), as there used to be. But it is another good excuse to just get together for jackpottin. Here are, Joanne Wilson, Trudy Strong, Norma (La Norma) Fox, David Strong, & me, Bill Strong.

SHOWFOLKS FLEA MARKET # 2


Here's Mary Ruth Herriott looking at some wardrobe, Freddy Canestreli looking at some neck loops,(maybe he wants to try one on Marco), & Tracey Bannister & Steven Strong are posing for the camera.

SHOWFOLKS FLEA MARKET # 3


I'm not much of a Poker player, does three of a kind beat a full house? Here is John Herriott, Buckles Woodcock, & Roy Wells, I think I know who that is behind Johnny, but am not sure enough to say, I'm sure someone will tell me.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

SNAPSHOT: CIRCUS VARGAS # 1


A while back I posted a photo of Trudy with Billy Baker just before the Liberty Act display, well same time, same place, but this time it's Tommy Baker, who was substituting for his Dad who was ill. This is Circus Vargas 1987.

SNAPSHOT: CIRCUS VARGAS # 2


While we're here this is another one from Circus Vargas 1987, and you don't have to see him from the front to recognize him, Rex Williams.

Monday, August 14, 2006

CIRCO ATAYDE HERMANOS 1979




We had the privilege of working for Atayde Bros. Circus for 4 months, starting before Christmas with 7 weeks in Mexico City, through the end of April, in Mexico City & Monterey we were in buildings, in a couple towns we were outdoors in Bull Rings, (and if anyone thinks our poles looked high, you should see them there). The rest of the time we were in a brand new Orange & Blue Big Top, I emphasize the color because due to the need to reinforce the cupola to accomodate the weight of the rocket, they got behind schedule and didn't have time to water proof the canvas, well it never rains in Guadalahara, guess what, it was raining Orange & Blue inside the Big Top. But it was a great experience, and I can't say enough how much we enjoyed working for them. We went back in 1992 with the Tiger Act, and both times we left with heavy hearts.