The Circus Clown (Warner Bros.) (1934)

By Bob Hussey CANARY doesn’t sing. Beef isn’t meat. You can’t drink a A highball. Squash isn’t a vegetable. A beetle isn’t an insect. These amazing facts came to light during the filming of Joe E. Brown’s latest First National picture, “The Circus Clown’, Theatre on which comes to the Filmed “‘on location” at the Al G. Barnes Circus winter quarters near El Monte, Calif., the astounded motion picture players discovered that an entirely different language is spoken “under canvas”. The argot of the circus is unique, unlike that of any other branch of the theatrical and entertainment world. Joe E. Brown, being a former circus performer, knows all about it. It was, therefore, with considerable relish that he enlightened Patricia Ellis, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, Donald Dilloway, Charles Wilson and other screen players engaged in the picture. In the world of the tanbark circle, for instance, “beef” isn’t meat, nor for that matter is a “butcher” one who sells meat. “Beef” is a complaint, and a “butcher” is a leather-lunged merchant of refreshments. When a Highball Is Not A “highball” isn’t a drink, it’s a signal given when the circus is all loaded and ready to move. A “canary” isn’t a bird, but an informer, one who tells tales out of school. Women are “beetles”. To “squash” a “beetle” means to kiss a woman. Slang isn’t slang at all in the circus world. “Slang” means a watch chain. The expression “dog joint” and the words “duck,” “ape”, “monkey” and “gander” have no connection with animals. To Kiss a Girl Is “Squash a Beetle”’ in Circus Slang Joe E. Brown, Star of “Circus Clown’’, Explains Vernacular of Big Top A “dog joint” is the stand where frankfurters are sold; “duck” means to leave or depart; “ape” means to advertise or publicize; a “monkey” is a victim of a practical joke, and “to gander” means to look. Nor is a “seal” just that. A “seal” is a person who performs the high-diving act. A “windjammer” isn’t a sailing vessel, but a member of the band. The “first of May” isn’t a date. It’s a person, a newcomer to the work, a novice. A “fake” is not a fraud; it means an unexpected blow. There is nothing about a “Duke” connected with royalty. The word means to applaud vociferously and a “Dukey book” is a book of coupons redeemable in the lunch wagon or dining car. “Annie Oakley”, “Benny”, “Big “Auguste”, Tom”, “Oliver” and O’Day” all sound like names of people, but they’re not. An “Annie Oakley” is a free pass to the show; “Auguste” refers to any French clown; “Benny” is an overcoat; “Big Tom” is the “Dick”, “Dolly”, “Jenny”, ‘John Orderly”, No sir, you can’t fool us by changing your costume. We can recognize Joe E. Brown in ona Even when he plays the part of “The Circus Clown,” which incidently is the title of his new Firy) laugh-hit. Above you see five camera studies of Joe from the picture, appearing as five differen with nothing up his sleeve. Clever, huh? Mat No. 20—30c stuffed-cat used in the ball-throwing game; “Dick” is used to designate any plainclothes officer; “Dolly” is a small portable derrick; “Jenny” is really a merry-goround; “John Orderly” is a command to hurry; “Oliver” means an officer; and “O’Day” isn’t an Irishman, it’s the manner in which “dough” (meaning money) is pronounced in pig-latin. When Change Is Forgotten A “silk hat” is an egotist and “shortcake” means change forgotten by a ticket purchaser. The “iron jaw” of a circus is the person who is suspended in the air by the teeth. An “ink stick” is a fountain pen, and a policeman is a “button”. “Star backs” are not All-American football players, but are reserved seats. “Strides” are trousers and “weeds” means to distribute sparingly. “Trappers” handle the performing horses while “traps” means the equipment of the drummer in the band, or any paraphernalia. Handkerchiefs are called, in dainty fashion, “wipes”, and he ¥ sesses “swell pipes” is gift; good vocal powers, A “mitt camp” is the tent and “socks” refer not} iery but to punches, 4 means mortgage; “rag” tent and “shanty” means trician. * A “razor back” is not uy! a laborer who loads and the train. Being “behind 4 rade” means passe, and “a the banner” is to be penx destitute. A “century” isn dred years, but a hundred; Lion Tries to Swallow Joe Brown, Mouth and All Scared Animal Bites Comedian in Stunt Scene During Filming of ‘‘The Circus Clown” ILMING stark drama isn’t the least bit dangerous for the players, but the making of a laugh-provoking scene often entails risk of life or limb. This fact was revealed when Joe E. Brown, working on location for his latest First National picture, ‘“The Circus Clown’, which comes to the Theatre on » narrowly escaped death, or at least, serious injury. The studio workers were situated at the Al G. Barnes Circus winter quarters at E] Monte, about thirty-five miles from Hollywood. Under the huge “big tents’, row upon row of huge studio lights blazed down on the tanbark circle and carnival -scene. In near array for the inspection of the supposed visitors, were many cages of animals. Tigers roared their lusty disapproval of the strong light beams, hyenas squealed in fear at the commotion, monkeys jibbered and squeaked. No noise issued from the cages of the lions. The kings were silent, sulky, annoyed. Frightened by Explosion It was into one of these lion cages that Joe E. Brown crawled to tussle with one of the big beasts. He was to fondle and maul it, as part of the yeomedy script. The lighting had’ been arranged, the cameras were ready. The lion’s trainer stood close by, making assuring statements regarding the tameness of the animal. There was a tense silence among the film workers, broken only by the laughter that greeted Joe’s statement when someone said the lion had been raised on milk. “So was I,” exclaimed Joe, “but I eat meat now.” The cameras started and as Joe petted the animal to instill confidence, the lion seemed to become friendly. The sereen star had to draw back the lion’s head and open wide its mouth. Page Sixteen ~ SS This was filmed without flaw, the studio workers were holding their breaths. It was a tense moment. At that moment—an explosion! Next to the cage one of the large electric light bulbs, probably as a result of overheating, had — into bits with a sound like a shot. The animal reared back in fear, its mouth wide open. There came a terrific roar. The Show Must Go On Joe tried to hold the big fellow and continue with the scene. The lion snapped at Joe’s face. The comic quickly drew back his head, but not quickly enough to escape the lion’s teeth. Joe pulled back toward the cage door, his hands at his face. The cage door was hurriedly opened and Joe leaped out. One of the lion’s teeth had made a slight scratch beside Joe’s nose, the corresponding tooth on the lower jaw had inflicted a deep cut near Joe’s ear. The first aid attendant hurried up. “You can’t blame that fellow,” Joe said as he indicated the lion. The noise frightened him.” Sid oo the cameraman, came to Joe’s side. “A hurt?” he asked with oustiniy. = “No,” said Joe reassuringly. “I can take it.” “Well,” the cameraman said, “I kept the cameras turning all the time. Boy—will that make a closeshot!” “Close shot?” asked Joe. “That, my friend, was what is known as a close shave.” With his wounds properly treated and new make-up applied, Joe climbed back in the cage with the lion. Lights were turned on. The director called for action. The cameras started turning once again. The scene was resumed. The incident was dismissed. Others in the cast of Joe’s picture include Patricia Ellis, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, Donald Dilloway, Charles Wilson and a score of famous circus folk. The story and screen play are by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Meet the Clown Joe E. Brown goes circus man for his fans in his latest First National hit, “The Circus Clown,” coming to the Strand on Thursday. Mat No. 7—10c Pat Ellis Pats Bad Lion and Makes Him Like Feminine Lead in *“*The Circus Clown” Get Thrill in Making Picture ATRICIA ELLIS has fulfilled a life-long ambition. f Ever since Patricia was a little girl and was tsa circus in Madison Square Garden, New York, she hasy# to be one of the girls who climb up to the top of the tent anif back and forth on a trapeze bar. Patricia’s destiny was the show business. She went Wl before the footlights, and, working her way to special not’ called to Hollywood for the movies. She had nearly forgott! earlier dream when she learned that she had been catt 5 opposite Joe E. Brown in “The Circus Clown,” a First Ne Se ee eae picture which comes to the Theatre on ..... Sarah : “Was I thrilled?” she said, sitting in her pink tights on a prop in the big tent of the Al G. Barnes circus at its winter quarters in El Monte, Calif., where most of the scenes for the picture were taken. Pupil of Mamie Ward “You know, I’ve been out here for two weeks—came out ahead of the rest of the company to learn something of the trick it takes to do this kind of work. Mamie Ward has been teaching me.” “The first few days,’ continued Pat, “were spent in learning how to grab the trapeze, how to hold it, how to swing back and forth suspended from the knees. “My muscles ached each night. my legs were tired and I raised enough blisters on my hands to last a lifetime. Then after I knew the so-called ‘ground work’ they let me go up high. There’s really nothing to fear. Underneath there’s a huge net and if one slips accidentally there’s not much chance to get hurt. “It’s loads of fun, really despite all my sore muscles and blisters! “I would really like to be a circus performer. There’s something fascinating about the big tent, the menageries and everything. Petted the Wrong Lion “But then,” she added thought ' a fully, “I would have to know something about . mals.” ; “There’s a lion here nsat coe, who plays in the wee as tame as can be “ane he all of us. I was pettiog 9 when the ee ee me away for a fitting: turned I went “ to athe reached through ™ ||) started to stroke the lion 1 was Roscoe. “Then one of the anisns! came along an get away from . so startled I jum it was lucky I did. a b, “It seems that while they had taken Roscoe part of the tent 4 * had moved another the space. “They told me lion I was stroking mite,’ the worst lioa ‘ He didn’t even think he liked it.” , . Clows In “The Circus vib is “the girl on ag with whom Joe the love. Others i Dorothy Burges®s “ui way, Charles Wilson, oa and Ronnie Cos Yt directed from se ort Bert Kalmar ane © '