Variety (April 1926)

Wtiaai^. April T, 1M8 Ringlittg-Bamum-Bailey Circus CbarlMtoB. ber Th«y are doing It ovtr the blc ihow—bare- back, ttfbt wire and any way except a dance floor. Hish achool horiea pull the brokezk time ituff. and the elephants, too. The Rlngllnc Bros.-Bamum & Bailey combined circus la thorough- ly thoroughbred. That goes for the performers, the stock and the people who run the outfit. Outdoor show- men from foreign lands, here last year to look the circuses over, rated the RingUngs' show the leading cir- cus of the world. Which explains why the drcua moved Into the new Madison Square <3arden and opened without a hitch. It was Just mak- ing another stand for this bunch. There were handicaps and ambar- rassments. The circus crew felt the new Gar- den had been built with an idea of fully accommodating ^the Ringllng show. They found only one runway to the lower floor instead of two as at the old Oarden, and for a time nobody expected to get the people, stocks and props in and '^ut of the arena on schedule. No drainage was arranged, and on top of that no provision was made for dressing rooms. Before the circus comes hack next year the Ringlings will see that is corrected. However, on the first night (last Wednesday) the show was out at 11.06. Ten minutes had been cut from the first afternoon show and 25 minutes from the dress rehearsal performance. No visible excitement among the directors. The lighting problem had not been worked out. As a matter of fact, the new Garden ii profusely equipped with lights, but the spots were not properly arranged. The wild animal acts, which feat- ured the opening of the circus for the last four or five years, are en- tirely out It's a Question if they were missed, but the show moved along smoother without them. A surprising feature of the first night performance was the poor house. It was never capacity at the old Garden and the new building has nearly twice the eapaclty, yet the crowd looked slim. Opening in the middle of Holy Week (later than usual) and a rainstorm may nave held down patronage. The spectacle was topped by an equestrian exhibition in which 116 horses went through evolutions pro- gramed as a "garland cavalcade,** and was a real sight. It followed the pageant, 'which had "Jeweled oars" drawn by baby elephants. The cars and floats, principally used out of town, were designed by Fred Worrall. The parade of freaks inci- cates the Ringllng idea of duplicat- ing acts. There are three fat wom- en—and how! All started around the track, but the real champ among the fat dames quit when half around. And the old boy himself. Zip was on the Job. He chewed the rag with Fred Braina before ducking into one of the side entrances. The freaks are quartered downstairs, flanked by the caged wild animals on either side of the cemented basement. Five rings are used now and then during the performance, the two platforms being built low for that purpose. - George Denman. still in charge of the elephants, started the Charleston stuff with the big babes. Aerial Girls The individual performances then commenced. Up on the trapeze were a flock of girls doubling out of other acts, also Mons. Schubert, Jenny Rooney (what a peachy girl she is!) was among those billed only with first names. Far at the end was "Miss Wlnnl- fred," one of the Colleano family. She amazed with a flying heel grip on the trapeze, then made a leap to the webbing, working over a net. Much later in the show and simi- larly hidden at one far end was Al- bert Powell, Jr. His absolute bal- ance and sureness were a revela- tlt,n. The RJngllngs can move either &ct into the middle sector and throw the spots on them for their respec- tive specialties. The first of the equestrian dis- plays then took the three big rings, with Ella Bradna in the center. She quite surprised by having bobbed her blonde hair. Mme. Bradna al- ways supplies some of the class of the circus, and she looks as good this season as ever. The bird ballet laea h.is been retained. With her and chief among the pets Is "Zero," the huge Alaskan mastlfT, for whom Tom Mix offered $5,000. The Rleffenaclis, with their pad turn, occupied the first ring, billed osthe Mitzis. The other ring held the Ernostos. billoil an the Kdithos. Both acts oarnccl good rating and bo*h appeared later In different equos- trian routines. The Pallenberg bears followed, with some new stuff, start- 'ng with, a rowing bit, which amused, as did one frisky bear on ft hobby horse fashioned like a bicycle. Singles on Esriy The show again presents two out- standing features—May Wirth and J-lUlan Lcltzel. Miss L'^ltzel was »rst to appear alone In the arena, actually going on No. 4 In point of acts. The little aerial wonder went aloft while they were experimenting with the lights. Her ring work was accomplished with the same snap that is Leltzel's. The sensational body throws had the accompaniment of the band, no count being taken and announced, as. hereto fore. May Wirth's single was four num- bers later. The daring little Aus- tralian star offered something new— really a tone of the times—by doing the Charleston on the bare back of hei rapidly circling white horse. It is said there WFre few rehearsals of the bit, certainly dtfflcult because the horse is trained to run at dif- ferent pace. Miss Wirth went through her entire routine without a miss—straight Jumps and somer- saults. And those flashing roundouts at the finale sent the nervy girl down the track to her dressing room with a rattle of hand-clapping. May Wirth is the greatest of equestri- ennes. There never has been her equal and maybe never wilL And the Ringlings. knowing that, admit it on the program billing. Con Colleano. another Australian marvel, was sixth In tho running order of performance displays. He was programed along with four other turns, but the latter were taken out and the great wire walker appeared alone, as should be. Col- leano pulled a real Charleston on the steel strand, and finished with back and forward somersaults. For a man who never uses a balancing >device of any kind Colleano's for- ward is amazing even to hard-boiled circus people. Ho takes a real chance of injury, but. In addition to hi^ daring, Colleano is a showman. Between Mlsa Ltiizel and Col- leano the high school horses or manage display was spotted. Some good-looking glrln on the prancem. and the display 8eemc<l more inter- esting than heretofore. Perhaps the equlnes are hij,'h-8tepping the same as before, but Charleston music emphasized that feature. Again "Daddy" Miller skipping backward in front of "Missouri Girl" took the honors. AlC Loyal's dogs dolled up like miniature horses furnished a bit of comedy during the manage display, the dogs being worked by his daughter for the first time. The Loyal act proper, with a police dog now featured, was some numbers down the program, flanked by the two Huling Brothers seal perform- ers. "Toque." the star dog of the Loyal turn, is dead and a new som- ersaulting canine Is being trained. Flock of Wire Walkers A display of five wire acts followed the wild west exhibition, which la spotted in the middle of the pro- gram. Berta Beeson, incognito, was in tlie center. On the ends were Bert Sloan and Maximo. In addition werft three girls of the Nel- son family billed as "The Roainas" and Ramona Ortiz. The latter is a Mexican girl who appeared in a costume that was drab In color and all out of order. Properly dressed she might stana out. working from tight to slack wire without a bal- ancing pole or parasol, rar^ amons' women Hire artists. Sloan's speedy steps attracted attention and his finishing bits followed an announce- ment from Lew Graham. Four girls are doing "plnwheel" this season. Formerly only one girl did the circling stunt. Amon" them is Vera Bruce, who. went aloft for the first time. F5he Is In the Wu*th Family act. The others were billed as Mile. Sllboni, Mile. Ruby and Marian Bordner. The statue interlude followed with no change over last year noted. With the wild west riders were the ropers, led. of course, by Cy Campton, who probably lariots more horses at one time than any man In tho world. Buff Brady got a slice of attention, too. The perch display had the same names as used laut year, but o good-looking girl was up high on one perch and that was a novelty. It turned out to be one of the Nel- sons, appearing with the Andres- sens. The others were tho Jahns, Karoli Brothers, Thommen Broth- ers and Olveras Brothers. The comedy acrobatic dl.splay h;>d most of the standbys present, but a new entrant was Maximilian Kidd, who mounted a rope to the girders, monkey fashion by his toes. That while the Four Comraden, Harry Rittley, Pete Manlo Trio, Hart Brothers, Nelson and Nelson and Rice Trio were cavorting. Hillary Long is out of the show for the first time in a number of years. Kidd may be a ropl.irement. though his work in quite different. The hiL;h Irapei^e and aerial hcad- balancing display was one of Loner's specialties. Thp Rooney.s are work- ing in that ppi>t, '^o are Ed and Ira Millette. the CromwellH and Hans John. In addition there are new turns of Interest, Albeit Powell. Jr. I>reviousIy mentioned, and the ITart- well r>rotlierM, who pulled a n<*v- o]t\ !n a diving breal<.') \\m v. r;riitT>'"? by the ankles, the men dcMcended to the aecf>mpan)rn» iit of t^xplodln^ torpedoes concealed in the coiled rope.s. Riding Acts The comedy riding acts spotted toward the close of the show had OUTDOORS the "Wirth Family tn tfae center ring, with the Ernestos and Rlef- fenachs on the ends. Phil Wirth sprang a surprise by riding as u dame. That takes him back a long while. In Australia as a boy be was dolled up In skirts. "Clary' Bruce is doing their comedy, uslni; most of Phil's business. Bruco back somersaulted from the horse to Phil's shoulder, and only needs get accustomed to the routine. There are three girls riding in the Rleffenach turn, besides a come- dian and straight man. The girls certainly are beauties and arc working well together. The Er- nestos held their end of the Gar- den's attention. The acrobatic and gymnastic dis- play which followed was excellent, probubly the etrunge^t array of family turns yet gotten together. The Ringlings have matched up the Picchlani Troupe with the Yacopis Family (from Argentine). They ac- complish a four-high shoulder stand via the springboard, as do tlie Picchianls. The Yacopis topped off their routine with a triple somer- sault, the flyer landing in a padded chair held on the shoulders of the catcher. Standing out in this dis- play, too, were the CoUeanoa, fea- turing Maurice's double somersault floor to floor. He has done thin consistently for seasons. It must take plenty of ner\'e. The Nelsons were in the center with tumbling and Rlsley work, but the star of the Nelson girls remains Theyol with her flip-flaps the length of the track. The Arena Brothers com- pleted the display. The liberty horses, 60 !n num- ber, scampered on for the last of the equine displays, really next to closing. All five rIngM were used, with Jorgen Christiansen in the center ring with 24 liberties. Work- ing 12 horses in an end ring was Harry Herzog, son of the late crack, Manuel Herzog. On one of the plat- forms with six liberties was Mabel Stark, formerly star wild anlma' trainer. Miss Stark earlier was a.Htrlde *'Juplter" the "balloon horse" In a stunt that necessitates great nerve. It was put in tlie show after the opening night. She rode menage also. Vladimir Schrabue and Jan Borteli directed the other horse combinations. VARIETY 49 Casting Turns The Slegrist-Sllbon Troupe was In the middle for the aerial fiying, with Charlie Siegrlst'e Troupe and the Clarkonlan Troupe on the ends. The Robinsons are working with the Clarks. All three turns include the crack flyers of other seasons. New performers are being groomed with each troupe, however, Jumping horses and th^ chariot 'races completed the program. Fea- turing the jumpers was a light sor- rel horse who, riderless, leaped a barrier of horses four deep. An- other catchy bit here was a tamden team, single rider, upstanding, tak- ing the jump. The ever-eflncient Fred Bradna again the equestrian director. He timed the show expertly and ran the opening night like a machine. The answer was that not one among the audienoe walked before the band struck up the national an- them. Pat Valdo. too. remains as assistant equestian director, and iher^, too. Is a good man. Mickey Graves proved himself a real master of props by laying out the rigging for the new quarters, and that means something. One of the hardest workers in the whole outfit Is Merle Evann, the bandmas- ter.' Seems like ho never dropped his cornet the opening night. 89-Year Old Clown The clowns had their Innings. Many of the old-timers are In white face. Among them were Jules Tur- nler, the oldcFt clown. He Is 89, but just cannot stop working. Turnler, by the way, was once the t>al of the late Alf Rtngling* Jerome and .Josephs stand out at times smon^' the funny men. They have been te.'Mned for 15 years. Routining a show like this Is no cinch. That Job fell to John Klnp- llng alone, Charles bi ing ill wiili grippsw Circus people may point out that playing the leading feature acts before f.SO is taking a chance on the balTAcs of the performance. However, It Is a great show, even without a sensational thrill. AL G. Barnes' Circus Los Angeles. April f. Al O. Barnes' wild sjiimal show and circus hit downtown Los An- geles Monday. March 19, after breaking in this ysar's show for several weeks as far sast as Phoenix. Before opening at the old ball park grounds at Washington and Hill, the outiU played Saturday ai)d Sunday to light business in Hollywood. Billing about to^-n was confined to 24 sheet stands and street car banners. With the kids out of school for the Easter vacation, the Barnes circus should prove a good draw here. It varies little from last year's offering, with "Pocahontas at Queen Anne's Court" as the opening and fiash number. Of the three rings the center one Is a steel cat cage, and the action for the first act of ''Pocahontas" was staged there. A troupe of singers, iucluding Irene Allen Ih the title role. Basil Webb doubling as John Smith and King James, a Mr. Swlnton as Powhatan. Ines Klma as Queen Anne, and Wellington Mack and others, had voices capable of being heard throughout tho big tent. "The inside parade came as a pageant before the court. Act well received, as Barnes has tried something new In bringing operatic singers under canvas. Rex de Ros- Si'lll Htaged and wrote the number. . Barnes was ballyhooed into an entrance, riding and bowing to the kids. The nine Klinkhart MidgeU, who also double in the side show, were giveil the double-o. and then a 3&-horse team of piebald draught horses circled the arena to a patter of appreciation. This was followed by "Lotus," the big hippo, drawing a cart Joe Martin, the ex-movle star ape, took his bow, and Louis Roth got busy with six tigers in the cage. Poses and leaping featured the act, while In the other two rings llamas, zebras and ponies trotted through their paces. A tiger riding atop a horse in the cage while three elephants maneuvered in each of the other rings was eye-filling. Alma Taylor, breaking in a new act with 8 pumas, had a bit of dlflR- culty with her charges, but man- aged to make the number look as nervy and breath-taking as any on the bin. A liorse-formjition number was on seventh with pretty girls riding. Greyhound and wolfhound jumping proved popular in the next spot, while an elephant ridden by a black-maned lion in the cage evoked applause, as first the elephant squealed and then the lion roared. Captain Ralph with six male Hons fn posing and jumping over each other was a good animal act. , The first trapeze work followed with seven girls doing their stuff from short ladders on high. Two sets ot clowns on see-saws provided ths laughs for tliis number. Two horse acts then took the out*' side rings, one set bandied by Max Sable and the other by Austin King. The dobbins were numbered, shuf- fled and brought hack Into position. This act is breaking in well. Zebras occupied the cage. A lion and girl, carried into tha air in the cage, was liked, whila Charles C. Charles and his seals were in one ring, followed by a par- ret act, beautifully 4on«. Polar bears and a leopard riding a zebra were nioe. Two trapese acts, working ok»s4 to ths ground, entertained the cus* tomsrs on the ends, while the opera singers gave elassio music In tha cage. Senorltas Herminia anil Plna walked tight wires in the two rings, while Pedroso did tight aadi slack stunts In center sawdust. The Blasrman Alll troupo of eight tumblers worked all over the arena with a flnish that had one Amsell spinning around the enttre track la cartwheels. The big horse act followed, with dancing, waltslng and Charlestoir- ing horses doing their stuff. Syrock. a beautifully marked stallion, with Max Sable up, evoked applause with some fancy steppinc The stock, just out of winter quar- ters, looks well and performs snap- Plly. Roth, with nlno lionesses, slmu* lated a flerce battle^ winding up with popping his revolver and giv- ing the seat-holders a thrill. Frank Lnggett with his elephants, 10 In number, was a good tonnage act. As Barnes* flnish, ths good old flag-waving stunt was used with tho "Star-Spangled Banner** bringing them out of their seats. The Joeys this year look like m y'>jng troupe pull the old sure-flro gags, with stilt walkers and a clown band thrown in. There are no bare-back acts and little spectacular trapese work. Am an animal show, with trained cat acts featured, the show im good and well trained. Mark Smith and Irono Russell do a good Roman riding race. B. M. Cunning announces audibly, as well as managas the sldft show attractions. Of these. Elsla Baker, the halN man-half-woman. Is the special at» traction, pulling In a goodly number of the two-bit customers for an- other quarter. Tho Kllnkbart mid- gets, a colored jasa band; High Bill, the seven foot-six cowboy; Frank Martin, the Utooed man; Jack Mil- ler, a card shark and Jiggs. tho monkey and Kam, tho wild man. aro the attractions. 64-Year-Old Los Angeles. April f. Australian Billy Murphy. 64-year- old diver, was barred from diving Into the ocean from an 86-foot plat- form at the end of tho I^ng Beach Municipal pier by Assistant District Attorney Buron Fills. He stated Murphy's loss of one arm would in- capacitate him as « diver. Murphy claims to be a Spanish American and World War vet and says he was a lightweight champion In the days of John L. Sullivan. TAMA CO. (lA.) DECIBIHa Toledo, la., April •. At a recent meetmg of the board of directors of the Tama County Fair Assoi^iation it was decided to call a general mass meeting of the Tama county people to decide the future of the county fair. The board members practically agreed that they would turn In their present stock holdings, and give the county an opportunity to purchase the fair grounds and or- ganize Its own association. New Lot in Buffalo BufTalo, April 6. When the RIn;?ling-narnum cir- cus shows here June 3. it will ap- pear on Lang's Field, the first time that lot has been available. Previously the opposition of near-by church officials prevented outdoor attractions from using the field. FITT. PARK OFEHS SAT. Pittsburgh. April f. West View Park will open its summer- season on Saturday, April 10. Among the new features is a new "Scooter," said to have cost $15,000. Another innovation Is an IncloFure for the open-air dance hall to be useil In Inclement weatbrr. Tent Sbsws Rehearnng Chicago. April The tent reps are mostly all or* ganlzlng or In rehearsal, accordlnc to reports which simmer in from tbo various sections qff tho. West. May 1 Is tho date set for tbo opening of the Jessie Colten Play- ers, covering tho Central Illinois district. J. H. Aulger has closed his winter season of indoor rep. Allowing a few weeks to shape ho will reopen for the summer under canvas about May 1. Tilton and Outhrle, one of tho oldest tent shows In tho country, win get under way April 19 at Lako City. la. Raymond Ketchum. man- ager of the Chase and Lister Play- ers, Is In Chicago securing actors at the Milo Bennett agency, to open May 2. It is expected that tho tent shows tbls season will be about as nv- merous as last year. PEOHIBITIVE RENTALS St. John. N. B.. April « Representatives of the Sparks Circus have been seeking a refluc- tlon In the rental of North Com- mon. Halifax. N. S., for a summer date. The city owns the property. The Sparks organization plans to tour the northeast during June and July. Some of the fees demanded of the show are said to be prohibi- tiva JOSIE SEDGWICK IN HOSHTAL Los Angele.s, April 6. JoKie Wcd^wlck, film actreas, erf- tered St. Vinr»»nt's Hoapltal, I^ok Angelen, lant wt-ek. Sinus trouble followed her return from location on th*^ Mojav" I)»'B»»rt, where; she suff« r< J ii:<iny fall.H fr(;ni horH«'S. BAVCIHO AT 8TABIIQHT BUrllgfat Park, New York Ciij, Is tn ths hands of painters and doc- ooators who aro gamlsfaing It for an early opening tentatively set for ApHI to. Among the now features an- nounced Is a dance pavillion, op- erated by the park- and without an extra gate tariff other than ad- mission to the park. MLDEANO VERSUS FKATELLINI FariH. Mar' h 25. Tho manat^'iTient t»f tJie Cir<|ii»' Medtano Ih brin^ing HUlt against the thrte l-ral*IIini brothers, rlu inlri','! 110,000 franr.H li'iuldated dania < s for ^iMitfi/iK' tliat chvuH and joIninT I Ik- Cirque d'Hiver before coiriid* - tlon of a tacit contract. [ 120,000 ABREABS Montreal, April 6. It Is reported tho Board of Control of the City of Toronto will demand that the arrears of the Royal Win- ter Fair be paid to the city, or no^' apreenient for the f' rthcoming year will 1)0 »ili;ned. The arrears are estimated at $20,000. CfLAWED BY TIGRESS LoH Angvles, April 6. IxMMs UoDi, lion tamer for the Al n. j'.ifMH ('ir<-U8, was clawed by (l;:rcs.^, while playing a Koth was lacerated on Uic licad, face, shoulders and arms.