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!

Friday, March 30, 2007

FROM MIREILLE THERON ARNOSI

Just came across these photos from 1956, by George Bruno, Motor Cycle Act, on the high wire, for Bob Atteberry, Texas dates. It was Carlos Garcia on the lower trapeze. then Eddy, some thing, can't remember his last name. then on top, yours truly. Mireille Theron Arnosi. Sincerly Mireille.

FROM MIREILLE #2

This is in 1957,Clyde Beatty Circus. The Alberto Zoppe Riding Act. Far right, Denise, next Antoinette, then yours truly, Mireille. The Bullfighter costumes were lovely, from Mexico. Dec 1956, from there, we went to Hawaii,5 weeks, The Wally Yee Circus, and from there to the Clyde Beatty Circus. Sincerely, Mireille.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

FROM JOANNE'S "DICK TRACY" WRIST RADIO, TELEPHONE, CAMERA

I here thousands of voices saying, "who is Dick Tracy?", I think he invented the cell phone or something like it, & his friend B.O. Plenty invented deoderant soap.

These telephone pics seem to get a little grainy when you blow them up

This is Joey Frisco in Fargo, N.D. with the three C & B elephants he has on Cindy Migley's Show, Joanne told me their names but wouldn't you know it, the only one I remember is Viola.



This is how I knew it was Viola, it said so in the voice memo for this pic, of course I couldn't understand the young ladies name so, somebody help me, please. Man it's terrible to get old, can't hear, can't see, can't remember!!!!
This one is in Detroit Lakes, MN, looks like maybe Spring has Sprung, Joey & Nati are both in tee shirts.

BRETT BRONSON & COMPANY

I have had this photo in,"The Gibtown Dime"s Store" for what seems like an eternity, can't believe no one would want it, so I relisted it out in the open with a "buy it now price"! This is another, "not now, & never again", you won't get a picture like this down at the corner store, and you won't find an agent with an act like this to offer, at least not on this side of the pond.

THE SHEIK OF SEAGOVILLE: ALI BOBBY AND HIS 40 CAMELS

Okay, so there are only five Camels, but what would a story about Bobby Gibbs be without a little exaggeration.
It's May 1986, and Trudy & I were laying over at Johnson's Oasis just outside of Seagoville, Texas, watching Bobby getting ready to practice a new Camel Act.


Now the first thing you have to do is get 'em out of the barn, "hey, anybody know how to say, *#)!&*^>@% in Arabic"?
Bobby, these Camels come from Dave Hale up in Missouri, just say,"y'all come on out here now, y'hear"


See how easy that was?


Lead all five of 'em?? Are you nuts??


Okay I'll take a chance on leading two, you guys bring the rest!
Bobby said to be sure and tell everyone that the whole time he trained this act, not once did any Camels jump out of the cat arena, oops, I mean the ring!!!!

WE MISS YOU BOBBY!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

TOMMY SHEEHAN

Patty Cook sent me an email when Tommy passed away, which I posted, then I received an email from his daughter with these pictures, that email disappeared with a whole page of emails so I forgot all about it. Seeing Allen Hill's tribute to Tommy in the Circus Report started me looking again, I had forgotten I had already downloaded the pictures, & found them in a file. So for all of his friends here is Tommy through the years, I have no info as to time or place so maybe someone can add to these.




I've had no luck identifying this Flying Act, Tommy is second from the right.

(Feb. 13, 2009), They say, "All things come to he who waits". I ran across this same picture in a post on Ivan Henry's "Circus Blog" This is Del Grahm's "Flying Viennas", left to right Del Grahm, Fluer, Lynn, Johnny South, Tommy Sheehan, & Unk.





Tommy with the last of the great prop bosses Frank Daily, of Garden Bros.


Sunday, March 25, 2007

THE TARZAN ZERBINI CIRCUS IN DETROIT FOR MOSLEM TEMPLE, 1986

This is just a short 21 year step back to the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit, this is the Liberty Horse Display ready to go in for the show.

With the Texas White Horse Ranch Albinos on the left is Don Anderson,(3rd from left); in the center with the Strong's Liberty POA Stallions, are Bill, Steven & Trudy Strong; and in the red dress is Joanne Anderson, with another group of White Horse Ranch Albinos.

IN MEMORY OF BRADLEY KWENSKI

Just received this from Penny.

Bradley Kwenski age 70 passed away March 19th. A celebration of life will be announced. Bradley was especially proud of his work with Planned Parenthood and the rewarding years he spent as a Ringling Museum volunteer. As a circus enthusiast, he treasured his active role in the Howard Tibbles Learning Center at the Ringling Circus Museum. He is survived by wife Norma, daughter Kay and husband, son Kendall and family, and son Brent "Cheeko" DeWitt and 2 sisters. Son Brent is a circus clown and Punch and Judy showman.

Friday, March 23, 2007

HUBERT CASTLE CIRCUS AT THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION IN TORONTO, 1970

This is the first of two years that Trudy & I worked this date & being 36+ years ago some of the names of acts, & which year they were there is pretty much lost. The year is stamped on the back of each picture so I know those are right.

PERCH & WIRE ACT DISPLAY
A stab in the dark at the Perch Act in Ring #1,(Peter Luvas with Tepa & Tavana); Ring #2,(could be The Dam Brothers?), Ring #3,(Unknown); Center Ring,Anita Vargas); Ring #5(Dos Santos); Rings #6 & 7,(Unknown)

If you look closely you may be able to see, behind the Wheel is George Bruno's Break-Away Pole set up in the middle of the back grandstand.


AERIAL NUMBER
Left to Right, The Pharoahs,(Cradle Act); Johnny Luxem,(Wheel); Tibi & Eva,(Cradle Act); The Platos(behind)(Cradle Act); Gala Shawn,(Head Balancing Trapeze); Pete & Petrova,(Cradle Act); & Oscar Macias,?,(Cloud Swing).( The Pharoahs, & The Platos got put on the back track because their riggings were higher than the others)!!!!

ELEPHANT DISPLAY
In Ring #2 are The Hubert Castle Elephants, with Bert Pettus & Sandy; in the Center Ring are The Diano Elephants, with Lee Keener; Ring #6 is Walt, & Barbara King.

It looks like Pat Anthony's Barrel at the far right, possibly only 3 Cage Acts that year

HUBERT CASTLE CIRCUS AT THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION IN TORONTO, 1971

CAGE ACT DISPLAY
In Ring #1 is Pat Anthony, in Ring #3 is Eloise Berchtold, in Ring #5 is Albert, & Jeanette Rix, & in Ring #7 is Roger Smith.(am I right Roger?).

1971 saw a much bigger show than the year before, two Break-Away poles, one seen very easy here, the other at the far end, seen just to the right of the speaker.


FLYING ACT DISPLAY
Here my memory fails me again.

Seen here between the Flying Acts is Bob Top & Edna's Skating Act platform. Also there is Ringmaster Cleo Plunkett on a pedastal, and a Wheel just behind the Flying Act. To the far right, very hard to see even in the large 14" X 11" photo these were taken from is the Kimris rigging. That display was The Kimris, LaNorma,(Rocket), and Bob Top & Edna.


ELEPHANT ACT DISPLAY
Ring #1, Eloise Berchtold; Ring #3, Bert Pettus; Center Ring, Diano's; Ring #5 Walt & Barbara King & Ring #7 unknown.

The great thing here is the number of riggings, now that looks like a Circus, I think the ladder in front of Ring #2 is Mario Ivanov's Revolving Ladder, the pole on the far right is LaNorma,s Rocket Act.


ACROBATIC DISPLAY
Ring #1, Murillos,(Low Flying Act); Ring #2, John, Tina, & Diana Hansen,(Trampoline Act);
hopefully someone looking in can identify the rest of the display.

In the background you can see Hugo & Papa preparing for a crisscross cannon shot.

BARRIE SLOAN: A GREAT SHOWMAN, KNOWING HIM MADE IT WORTH BEING HERE!

Barrie Sloan.

Born: November 29, 1931

Died: March 19, 2007

Age: 75

Residence: Sarasota, formerly of DeBary, Florida and
Great Yarmouth, England

Barrie was the first baby born on the BERTRIM MILLS CIRCUS in Bedford, England. Following in the footsteps of generations of circus performers, Barrie has performed around the globe as a WORLD CHAMPION STILTWALKER. He came to the United States in 1962, residing in Florida and called Sarasota home.
He performed for many world-renowned circuses. He retired
From performing in 1996, but continued his art of designing and
creating parade heads and circus parade floats for his life long
friend John Pugh, Owner of the Cole Brothers Circus.
Barrie will be dearly missed by many and is survived by,
His wife Shelagh, son and daughter-in-law King and Luanne
Grandchildren Chyna and Bailey. Sister and brother-in-law
Phips and Bobby Hakes. Brother Poodles Sloan and nephew
John Yelding-Sloan

Memorial service will be held at the “Showfolks of Sarasota”
Club house on Sunday April 1st, 2007 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
In lieu on flowers donations can be made to “Showfolks of
Sarasota”
From Sue & Rudi Lenz

THE PLATOS: LILLY & SVEND KRISTENSEN

This first set of photos come from Ninette Parker.

THE PLATOS


TWO HAND CUT-OFF
A very dangerous trick!

THE KRISTENSEN TROUPE


Thursday, March 22, 2007

THE PLATOS: # 2

This is also one of my favorite Cradle Acts, and two of our favorite people.


THE PLATOS

I seem to remember they were referred to on Ringling as "Little Plato" & "Big Plato", this is early 1950's.



THE LAY OUT SPIN,HELICOPTER SPIN, GYROSCOPIC SPIN, HORIZONTAL SPIN,(Take your pick!)!
A good one too, she is flat out.


LILI-ANA & SVEND
Here is Lilly dressed for her Cage Leopard Act. What is this thing cradle girls have for cats?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

MOTORCYCLE IN A WHEEL ACT EARLY 1950'S

Do you remember this strange rigging, I know they were on Hamid-Morton in '52, & '54, never saw them or heard of them again.

You'll have to excuse the poor quality as this is from a very old program, was pretty small in a composite of other acts that I had to take out of the picture.



IN MEMORY OF BARRY SLOAN


A VERY TALL MAN

Monday, March 19, 2007

FROM GLORIA WILKINSON: THE NEW DOG ACT ON COLE BROS.

Now here's something to open your eyes in the morning, Gloria didn't catch the name but I'm sure it will come up. Something this colorful is bound to attract attention.




Saturday, March 17, 2007

LET'S FOLLOW THE ARROWS BACKWARDS DOWN MEMORY LANE, BUT LIKE THE SONG SAYS, "I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE, OR WHEN"??

I think these are all in the '70's!

THE FLYING VALLENTINES.
Tony Duke, Debbie, Raymond Jr. & Ray "Slick" Vallentine

TRIPLE SOMERSAULTING RAY VALLENTINE JR.
Sure got a lot of height.

MEMORY LANE # 2

THE PALACE DUO.
Hans & Rosie Rode(Rodo)
This is one of my favorite Cradle Acts!!!!

MEMORY LANE # 3

TRUDY WILSON STRONG
Notice how I sneaked this one in. The costume is Trudy's, the cape & head-piece are Joanne's.

MEMORY LANE # 4

GALA SHAWN
Are there any Head Balancing Trapeze Acts anymore????

DOWN MEMORY LANE # 5

I remember this one,,,,,,,,,,I think! Hadi Temple Shrine Circus, Evansville, Indiana in 1970. Where did that 37 years go????

FRANCARRO & ESTRELETA and THE PHAROAHS
Frank & Ruthie Clark and Trudy & Bill Strong
I first met Frank Clark on the Orrin Davenport Circus, in 1956. He was working in The Noble Trio, Parallel Bar Act, & I was working in The LaBlonde Trio Aerial Horizontal Bar Act. Some other acts on the show were, Clyde Beatty, Klauser's Bears, Owens & Johnson,(Horizontal Bars), Francisco & Dolores,(Perch), Helen & Buster Haag,(Chimps),

Friday, March 16, 2007

QUASSAR'S QUIZ: HEY LOOK, YOU GET TWO CHANCES AT THIS GUY

Hint # 1: This is a sraight pole, not a Break-Away!
Hint # 2; He purchased the pole from Bill Atterbury.
Hint # 3 He also did a Break-Away on another pole.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

LET'S FOLLOW THE ARROWS BACKWARD DOWN MEMORY LANE, AGAIN, TO 1977

Just a short jump back 30 years to the Michigan State Fair Coliseum, at the L.N.Fleckles produced Moslem Temple Shrine Circus.

THE JOE ZOPPE FAMILY
Denise, Roger,Joe, Peggy, & Dennis


THE SMAHA FAMILY


TONY SMAHA SR.


INGA SMAHA