New York Clipper (Jun 1923)

22 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER < T June 27. 1923 OUTDOOR EXPOSITIONS BARNES SHOW SCORES The AL G. Barnes Big four Ring Trained Wild Animal Crcus made its first appearance last week in towns near Philadelphia and New York, the show being different than the usual run of such shows .seen in the East, and along the lines original ideas of Mr. Barnes, who put on a program consisting of animal actors only. Prior to the show last week, the outfit played Lancaster, Pa., and Rochester, N. Y., as the points nearest to the Atlantic Coast line. The Pacific Coast, Canada and New Orleans included its other territory. All of the Eastern showmen who could get away journeyed to see the show at the various points between New York and Philadelphia. Last Friday over 100 sfiow- men of every branch of the amusement field were guests of Mr. Barnes at Jersey City, and W. F. Peck and Mr. Dawson shared honors -with the Governor of the state in seeing that every courtesy was granted the visitors. Tbe program opens with a big spectacu- lar feat, "Alice m Jongleland," in which all of £e trainers and jnimaU take part. Miss Lottie Claire, musical comedy star, is the Queen and Prima Donna in this part and her excellent voice can be plainly heard all over the tent. Miss Dorothy Whitney takes the part of Alice. After this spectacle several trained animals were shown, in a hig steel arena. There are a numher of groups, includ- ing every sort of """nal ever brought out of the junglei Also the only Riding American Eagles ever presented. Tusko, the largest elephant in the world, who is over ten feet high and weighs more than ten tons, is included in the rest of the herd, that also boasts one of the smallest ele- phants as well Some of the _ small ele- phants are but forty inches high but do their stunts nicely. The elephants are in • charge <rf M. W. (Red) McKay and are trained and presented by him. •Louis Roth, head wild animal trainer, is assisted hr Miss Nellis Ro& and Allen E. King. Mr. Roth presented his wonder- ful troupe of educated tigers and his big group of fighting lionesses. Miss Roth presented her highly educated troupes of leopards, jaguars, pomas, etc. Mr. King trotted out toe large troupe of black mane Nubian African Ikms, polar bears, etc. Captain C. A. Charles, trainer, presented the Barnes seals and sea lions. One of the most wonderful acts that takes place on tht hippodorome is the only hippo- potamus that has been broken to drive m a light baggy with a woman holding the Mr. Barnes is introduced to the audience riding in a howdah on the back of Tusko, the Kg elephant, and gets a great recep- tion from the audience. Another big num- ber is the presentation of the Barnes 35 dancing horses with an equal number of dancing girts. A big hunting number is done when the entire company hunt zebras, the hunters being colorfully dad. There is no end to the numbers done by the trained horses and other animals all of which are finely trained. •Bert Leo, one of the real old-Ume downs, made a great showing posing his Diamond Dogs on the Hipp track. Rab- bits, reindeer and other interesting ani- mals are also induded. The closing num- ber of the show is the Ballon lion and ponies in the center of the tent, a big male lion standing on a platform without being &stencd and raised to the top of the tent. A lady trainer is with the lion and the fireworks are set off on all three plat- fonns. In each of the other rings are the ponies that are drawn to the top of the tents by teams of horses.^ The clowns, of course, are included in the closing luuubers arid do several amusing stunts. Prof. H. J. Rummdl and his twenty-, eig^ piece band famish the music for the program and it is one of the best parts of the show. Robert Thornton is the eques- trian director and to him is due great credit for flie speed of the show. Charles Boulware is the announcer. CLOWN BAOLY BURNED PonsTOWN, Pa., Tune 28.—Howard Walsh, 3. clown with the Gentry-Patterson circus, is in a hospital here in a serious condition as the result of bums received last week when a bouquet he was handed exploded as part of the act and nearly put out Walsh's ri^ eye. 'Walsh had just finished a song, aocom- ipanied by a down band and was handed the bouquet, in which there was suroosed to be a pinch of flashlight poiwder. Some mistake was made, however, and the ex- plosion that ensued knocked Walsh down and burned him severely. He gamdy allowed the spectators to thiidc it was part of the act and they laughed heartily as he was dragged out by attendants. At the hospital it is reported that his condition is serious. DUWICO IN NEW QUARTERS Gus Durkin and Harold Williams who operate the Duwico, theatrical electrical equipment and supply shop have moved their plant from the National Theatre in West 41st street to 303 West 41th street where they have much larger qimters. They also have established a spedal de- partment which will be devoted to modem acd up to date stage lighting investures. GOLDEN SHOW IN PENNSYLVANIA Mike Golden, of the Golden Bros. Grcus now playing in Pennsylvania was in New York last week and wlule here bou^ from John T. Benson of Hagenbeck Bros., the performing elephant Rosa and shipped her on to the show at Freeland, Pa. Mr. Golden rcp9rts that the show is doing a nice business through Pennsylvania. HEFFRAN VISITS SHOW Dr. Joseph Heffran, who has been con- nected widi several of the white tops, in- cluding the John Robinson Circus, visited the Sparks Crcus at Stamford, Coim. Dr. Heffran is now connected with the sanatarium at Greens Farms, Conn., but reports that he will be back with one of die big drcuses next year. SnCKNEYS BACK FROM CEN. AM. iRobert Stickney, Sr., with his wife, daughter £^ly and grandson arrived in New York from Coitral America last wedc, where the family has been since last December with the Circus Sands. The Stickneys will open thdr engagement at Dreamland Park, Newark, N. J., aljout July 1- BRADEN AHEAD OF SHOW Frank Biaden, press agent of the Sdls- Floto Circus, wlas in New York Dast week for a few days and left again for northern New York and Massachusetts, where the Qrcus will exhibit shortly. CIRCUS ROUTES AL G. Bama Circus—Waknbarre, Pa.. June 27; Allcnto«D, 23; Bethlehem, 29; Eaaton, 30; Hudlon, July 2; Ponsville, 3; ShamokiD, 4; Sunbury, S; Willianuport, 6; Elmin, K. Y., 7. Sparks Cims—^Wooosccket, R. I„ 27; Newport, 23; Bnckton, Mun., 29: Tanolon, 30; CIoucKter, July 2. Gentry Bros, and Patterson Combined Shows— KingliDg Brothers—Baisum & Bailey Combined-:- Fall River, 27; PfOTidencc, R. I., 28; New Haven, Conn.. 29; Bridgeport, 30; Waterbury. July 2; Hartford, 3; Springfield, Mass., 4; .Mbany, N. Y., 5; Utica, 6; Binghamton, 7; Pontiac, Mich., 9. Sdls-Floto—Kingston, N. Y., 27; Sehencctady, 23; Saratoga Springs, 29; North Adams, Mxtf.. 30; Holyoke, Jrly 2; Greenfield, 3; Fitchbnrg, 4; Nashua, N. H., S; Manchester, 6; Rrchcster. 7. Main, Walter L., & Andrew Downie Show Com- bined—Menominee, Mich., 27; Shawano, Wis., 2S; Wausan, 29; Wisconsin Rapids, 30; Wan- paca. Wis., July 2; UarshEeld, 3; Ean Claire, 4: lienominec, 5; Rice Lake, 6; Superior, 7. Robinson, John—Burlington, Vt., 27; Benning- ton. 28; Rutland. 29: Cleni Falls. N. Y., 30: Plattsburg, July 2; Mal<aie, 3; Ogdensharn, 4; Gouvemeur, 5; Fttlton, 6; Penn Yan, 7; Lock- haven, Pa., 9. POLACK SHOWS DOING FINE Phoenixville, Pa., June 23.—The sec- ond week out of Coney Island for the road organization of the World at Home Shows finds the Polack attractions here, where despite a solid week of record break- ing heat, business has been satisfactory. The shows and rides have been liberally patronized and the concessions have en- joyed a fair business. The steel workers here have opened their hearts to the Polack shows and have boosted the Midsummer Fun Festival of Ph'oenix Hose Co. No. 1, under whose direction the engagement is being held. On every hand can be heard comments from the citizens of the dty that the World at Home Shows is the cleanest carnival organization that has ever visited the dty. The newspaper, at first openly hostile, was won over early in the week by the cleanli- ness of the shows and the conduct of the personnel, and gratifying news stories were received toward the latter half of the week. The show .is tinder personal direction of Irving J. Polack and is headed toward Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia and will reach the first fair at Marlinton, W. Va., August 20, where the remainder of_ the shows now in Coney Island will join. The line-up of attractions at present consists of Elliott's House of 1,000 Won- ders, S^d Paris' Dixie Minstrels, Pop Bid- die's That Girl Stella, a wonderful col- lection of reptiles and jungle beasts, a peimy arcade, Polack's Springtime Revue and Vogel's Dog and Pony Show. The rides now carried are Polack's Seaplanes, Merry-go-round, Whip and Butcher's Fer- ris Wheel. Among the concessionnaires are Nick Angelus, cook house; Charles Muim, with string of twelve; Sammie Glickman, four; Joe Marks, two; Eddie Brenner, two; Harry Fitzie Brown, one; Al Vivian, juice; Eddie Maddigan, Myron Mayer in charge, juicej Mrs._Jay Lewis, one. The next stand will be Eddystone, Pa. Carle- ton Collins, press representative. DOLPHIN SHOWS ON LONG ISLAND The William Dolphin Exposition Shows are playing several towns on Long Island, last week at Htmtington, business was way above the average, this week they play Manhassett. Miss De Young, lady high diver is the free attraction. The Show carries two rides, several shows and a nioe line lip of concessions. HERKRT AT WILLOW GROVE Willow Grove Park, outside of Philadel- phia, is enjoying a very good business so far this season. This park is operated by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit system and have as the opening feature Victor Herbert's orchestra. BOARDWALK STANDS "STARVmC" Concessionaires paying $300 a foot rent fur thdr space along the new $3,000,000 Coney Island boardwalk are "starving," and practically every owner is perfectly willing to take a store almost anywhere on the Island but their present place. Surf avenue continues to get the cream of the business, getting the crowd as it lands on the Island and also before it gets ready to leave. The Bowery, while it does not flourish to any great extent, does consid- erably better than the boardwalk stands. One of the chief reasons for the poor business along the boardwalk is attributed to the edict which probits bathers from parading along the thoroughfare in bathing suits. Concessionaires say that these buy- ers are forced to go under the walk to tlie Bowery and there buy their hot dogs, orangeade and whatever else they might crave. Most of those on the walk satmter along because it's cool and never think of trying to win a kcwpie doll or engage in any of the other games, is the complaint of the owners, who say that walking along the new walk doesn't cost anything and the people get out of the habit of buying. An average day's attendance at the Island, which is estimated at 350,000, does not provide for an overflow of business to the boardwalk, which is necessary for tliem to flourish. Only on extremely hot days when the attendance goes above the average figure do boardwalk concession- aires sell any quantity of weenies and other such delicacies. The new boardwalk has increased the number of people that come to the Island, but other avenues are reap- ing the benefit CONCESSIONS DOING POORLY The latest reports from all parts of the country are that though parks, shows and rides are getting a lot of money this sea- son, concessions have, dropped off con- siderably from last year. In some large parks in both East and West some of the largest concessions have fallen off over fifty per cent of what they did last year. SHOWS FOR FIREMEN Capt. Perry, of New York, promoter of the 225th Anniversary and Firemen's State Convention at Garfield, N. J., July .2nd to 7th, says it looks like one of the largest to be seen in the East this season. The committee are spending plenty of money in advertising. BURNS AT WILMINGTON J. J. Bums is general agent this season of both Shellpot and Brandywine Spring Parks at Wilmington, Del. Mr. Bums re- ports that so far this season business has been very good. Wahted-Worid At Home Shows-Wanted SHOWS, RIDES AND CONCESSIONS FOR THE GREATEST LINE OF CARNIVAL DATES AND CELEBRATIONS AND THE FOLLOWING LIST OF FAIRS: Marlington, W. Va., Aug. 20-25; Lexington, Va., Sept. 26-29; Ronceverte, W, Va., Aug. 27-31; Open Week; Staunton, Va., Sept. 3-8; Danville, Va., Sept. 9-12; Covington. Va., Sept. 11-15; Martinsville, Va., Sept. 16-19; Bedford, Va., Sept. 18-22; Suffolk, Va., Oct 25-29. FOR TIME AND TERMS ADDRESS I. J. POLACK, GENERAL DIRECTOR WORLD AT HOME SHOWS WEEK JUNE 25, EDDYSTONE, PA.