FROM JOHN HERRIOTT'S CIRCUS TRIVIA TREASURES
Here is a new one. The late great Con Colleano made famous the forward somersault on the wire. Certainly one of the most difficult feats in circus history. How many other great performers can you name that also accomplished this feat as part of their repetoire ?
By the way in response to the great number of comments on the preceeding, another showbiz quote, " 24 hour man thanks you, unohoo thanks you and down the road thanks you From the bottom of our--------, Oh hell I forgot the rest of it.
posted by 24-HOUR-MAN | 1:04 PM
22 Comments:
Bill Hall said...
Re: Colleano's tight wire forward somersault, I recall seeing a young Spanish performer, Tonito, execute same on 1955 RBBB Circus. I think he (Antonio Paulo) may have been brother of featured heel-catching solo trapezist Miss Mara. I also think Karl Linares was able to complete forward on some occasions. -- Bill Hall
Anonymous said...
BRAVO....BRAVO....BRAVO.
BILL HALL. YOU WON....
didn't Hubert Castle & James Plunkett do the forward on the wire ?
My apologies to Bill Hall & Anonymous, I'm not trying to steal your comments, I just like to publish John's quizes as a post where they will get proper exposier rather than leave them on a comment page. I also moved your comments, & this was the result. Maybe in the future I'll learn a better way, as for now I am still an idiot on the "unfernal Machine".
"INFERNAL MACHINE"
Re: the forward, did Dos Santos do a forward??
There has been a young man by the name of Fletcher Runyon, who has been touring with various shows the last few years who does both backward & forward somersaults, he also does a flip-flap on the wire.
By the way, Fletcher's teacher was Pietro Canestrelli.(?sp)
Bill Hall,
Yes Tonito was Miss Mara's brother!
RIGHT AGAIN ....BILL.
BRAVO...
Formerly part of the Naitto troupe, and later as a single act, the lovely Ala Ming did it.
While visiting the CWM a few seasons ago, Mary Ruth, Weiner, son-in-law James Plunkett [Christopher James] and myself saw David Dimitri in a very artsy ballet routine, perform a back and forward without an announcement. We remarked that the audience was hardley aware at what they had witnessed. He hardley even stalled, just popped them and that was it. We had also worked with him on big Apple previously and Paul Binder did give it the announcement it deserved. Yes James Plunkett was a forward somersaulter and rarely missed while in his prime.
Ala Ming also did a "flip-flap" on the wire.
Shouldn't Miguel Ayala be on the list. I think I saw him perform the forward at CWM.
Here in Australia Alby Perry Snr performed forwards, backs flip flaps etc for many years first on Perry Bros Circus and later on Wirths Circus. He was of the same vintage as Con and Bonnar and Winnie Colleano. In later years his son, Alby Perry Jnr performed the same act on Wirths and later on their family show Alberto's Circus. Alby Snr also clowned with the Flying Waynes on Wirths and received an offer from RBBB to take his wire act to the States but would not leave Australia. Pity, because he was every bit as good as Con Colleano.
Where would this Mr. Runyun have appeared? It would be interesting to hear about him and if he is still performing. I am embarrased to say that I don't recognize the name, but surely with the accomplishments mentioned he should be listed. As noted not many have done this feat.
Old timers would be aware of Billy Powell [Gee Gees ex] on Cole and Beatty, and Harold Barnes on Cole, Clubs, etc.
To Johnny:
Fletcher works a lot of independent dates, he was with Billy Martin a couple years ago, worked the Summer last year at Six Flags in Chicago, for Espanias, and has done some Hanneford.
He originally came out of the San Diego Fern Street Circus, which I believe is a Pietro Canestrelli project. I do know Pietro was his teacher.
I wish I had video capabilities, & a copy of the Hollywood Palace "Misses" on it Santos attempts and misses the somersault about five times, he finally makes it, runs to the pedastal, turns around to take a bow, and falls off the pedastal.
and speaking of Pietro Canestrelli,... I'm not 100% certain, but I think I remember his son Ricardo throwing a forward on the wire. I also believe "The Dynamic DeMille (Emil Goetschi) did it.
Just talked to Tommy Bently about an unrelated subject, but knowing he does not compute, I put this question to him. His first reply was,(as above),Billy Powell, and he also added Walter Powell.
I was visiting RBB when Harold Ronk was announcing 3 tightwire forwards in the display. The center ring guy (one of the names above) substituted a back somersault. Both Harold and Trevor Bale nailed him about it. He shrugged and said the people don't know. Harold said, "They don't know a forward from a backward? Do that again, and I cut your announcement." Afterward, he did, or tried to do, the forward.
Very interesting comments and its gratifying to see so much knowledgable interest. Thank you all.
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