VANDER CLYDE BROADWAY: "BARBETTE"
I had intended at this time to post a mini-biography of Barbette, in doing some research I discovered as many varying stories of his life & career as there are quotations of his famous remarks. I found that I had opened a "Pandora's Box" of information on a man who has to be one of the most fascinating personalities in entertainment history.
So I am offering two photos from his early years, and advising you to go to Google Search, and type in,,,,barbette in circus,,,, look for,,,,
John Culme's Footlight Notes
http://footlightnotes.tripod.com/Barbette.html
Handbook of Texas Online: Clyde, Vander
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/CC/fcl54_print.html
FI Pictorial Tributes Epilogue,(remarks here include Joe Sherman).
http://phantomdragon.com/THELEGEND/epilogue.htm
The top photo is Paris 1925, the other is Bertram Mills Circus 1927.
posted by 24-HOUR-MAN | 11:52 AM
7 Comments:
For so flamboyant a person as he was, I was a little surprised to learn Vander Clyde Broadway was born in Round Rock, Texas. Two other notorious names connected to Round Rock are the train robber Sam Bass, who died in a downtown gunfight with the Texas Rangers, and the infamous con artist, Soapy Smith (no kin).
NO boobs or butts hanging out here. I had almost forgotten about this wonderful man. He could make any woman feel and look beautiful. He was one of a kind and all too special.
I think he was probably the closest thing to Flo Ziegfield the Circus ever had.
Barbette never had to expose a lot of skin to make his girls look wondrous or a production unforgettable. His genius was sheer showmanship, exquisite taste in what would entertain the public, and unlimited creativity. I can name a show that needs to get on it's knees right now and beg for such a man.
Vander Clyde, "Barbette" left Round Rock at the age of 14
Parley Baer told this story to Mac and Peggy MacDonald and I on his show, in Temple, Texas, in 1974. Parley and Ernestine threw one of their big parties and Barbette casually asked what they were having. Parley said, "Tossed salad, roast beef with all the trimmings, hot rolls, and all kinds of fruits." Barbette smiled and said, "You needn't be rude."
The Polack Show ballet girls used to practice in the gym in Sarasota, that later became The Heidleburg German Restaurant. I was sitting in a row of chairs that lined the wall, about two chairs away there was a nice looking young man, and as Barbette walked by the young man said, "How do you do Barbette", Barbette stopped, looked back over his shoulder, and said, "How do I do WHAT?"
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