The Circus Clown (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Circus Vocabulary Something to play with—a contest to ring for newspaper, schools, and feature stories. Like Funk and Wagnall’s search of last year for slang phrases, circus expression should open fields of war, athletic, or general argot. Get ’em looking for new words, identifying these. They’ll be kept busy—and like it! (Story) Beetles and Gents! Get in On Circus Clown Ducats “The wind jammer blows in on a Annie Oakley, takes a gander at the iron jaw, beefs to the butcher about the ‘anaries on the lot, breezes over to the mitt camp where he lamps the August silkhatting a First of May, and aping himself to the customers. Barking a John Orderly, he dumps his O’Day on the counter, forgets the shortcake and when he catches up to the seal, slips her a fake in the ribs and squashes the beetle.” If you don’t understand that, it’s because you haven't hung around the circus lot, and the boy who never got up before sunlight to meet the circus, and earn a ticket by running errands, has missed a lot of life. It’s circus slang, or argot, and means: “The member of the orchestra entered on a free pass, looked at the lady, who is suspended in the air by her teeth, complained to the candy salesmen about the talebearers in the employ of the circus. The orchestra man then went to the palmist’s tent, where he saw a clown showing himself off to impress a novice performer in front of the patrons. Giving the ticket seller an order to be quick, he threw his money on the counter, in his haste forgetting his change, in order to overtake a lady, who did a highdiving act. Giving the girl a punch in the ribs, he kissed the lady.” Easy! Sure, if one knows the language. How much circus argot do you know? Here’s a chance to find out, and win valuable prizes besides. For the ten best and most accurate glossaries of circus slang, the (newspaper) will award two pairs of tickets to Joe E. Brown’s famous comedy, “The Circus Clown,” which opens at the theatre on ine A list of words is attached. [ Note: See box at right.] Translate them, and send them to the Circus Slang Editor of the before when the contest closes. For the biggest number of other circus slang words (not prison or tramp argot) submitted, none of which are included in the list attached, a special prize will be awarded. (Second Day) Hey Rube! Prizes If You Know Circus Clown Argot “The governor mitted his ink stick, wrote a couple of Annie Oakleys for the was carrying the banner, slip Oliver who ped him a century to help pull the plaster off his shingles, then John Orderlied the trappers and lammed over to the Doll where he joined a dick who was gassing the shanty.” New language? Not at all. old as the circus in America, but outside the profession few people know the unique and picturesque argot. It’s as In order to see how many people have a natural aptitude for the unwritten language of our own times, the (newspaper) will present two tickets to the Theatre, where the First National picture, “The Circus Clown,” starring Joe E. Brown, will open Page Six SS ee on , to the writers of the ten best letters, of not more than fifty words, written in circus arg®dt. A list of circus language words is attached. Study them, see if you can translate them, and write your letter. Use other words if you know them. Send your letter to the Circus Slang Editor of the before = The statement leading this article means: “The boss picked up his fountain pen, wrote two passes for an officer who was financially destitute, gave him $100 to pay on the mortgage of his home, then ordered the hostlers to hurry up, and walked over to a small hoisting engine, where he joined in the conversation between a circus detective and the electrician.” Glossary (See Story) 1. Tan-bark 25. Duck 2. Beef 26. Dog-joint 3. Butcher 27Ape 4. High-ball 28Monkey 5. Canarv 29, Gander 6. Beetle 30. Seal 7. Squash 31. First of | é May 8. Wind; ¢ ‘ 32. Annie ‘ or — Oakley eee 33. Benny 10. Auguste 34. Dick 11. Big Tom 35 Jenny 12. Dolly 36. Oliver 13. John 37. Silk Hat Orderly 38, Iron Jaw 14. O'Day 39. Button 15. Shortcake 40. Strides 16. Ink Stick 41. Traps 17. Star Back 42. Swell Pipe 18. Trappers 43. Socks 19. Wipe 14. Rag 20. Mitt camp 45. Razor 21. Plaster back 22.Shanty 46. Carrying 23. Century the 24. Slang Banner Answers for Editors: (1) Circus ring enclosures; (2) to complain; (3) candy salesman; (4) a signal to move (5) tale-carrier; (6) circus; woman; (7) to kiss; (8) band musician; (9) unexpected blow ; (10) clown; (11) stuffed cat; (12) derrick; (13) order to hurry up; (14) money; (15) forgotten change; (16) fountain pen; (17) reserved seats; (18) hostlers; (19) handkerchief; (20) palmist’s tent; (21) mortgage; (22) electrician; (23) $100; (24) watch-chain; (25) to depart; (26) frankfurter stand; (27) to advertise ; (28) victim of a joke; (29) to look; (30) high diver; (31) apprentice ; (32) free pass; (33) an overcoat; (34) detective; (35) merry-go-round; (36) an officer ; (37) egotist; (38) gymnast who is suspended by the teeth ; (39) policeman; (40) trousers; (41) drummers’ equipment; (42) good singers; (43) a punch; (44) tent; (45) laborer; (46) one in financial difficulties. Six Proved Ballys Used to Announce Circus Stage Show at Stanley, $ FARERD LISTERS MAUDE “=~ 86 SRR SERS ORR A: Poster and “circus” herald. Elephant stunts at theatre fr Freak street walker. : Lobby display of mecha “Rubes” tour streets and animals. } stores. ; ‘ —— | Identify Joe E. Brown and Win Movie Tick Joe E. Brown, star of the First National picture, “The Circus Clown,” is shown among the world-famous circus clowns who participated in the filming of the unique comedy of circus life which opens at the marred Joe E. has circus in his blood, and can clown with the best. He’s here, but can you find him? Look over this group of Mat No. 21—30¢ ! famous clowns. ‘hey are “Kinko, Griggs, Jack MacA fie, Mickie Mac E. Brown, Curley Phillips, Pat Bf Kling, Milt Taylor and other merry" the tanbark circle. The first te? , correctly identify Joe E. Brown sented with two tickets to “The Circt SOLUTION: Brown is fourth ; Theatre on :