Variety (Jun 1930)

7C VARIETY OUTDOORS Wednesday, June 4, 1930 SUMMER HOLDS MANY CMC FAIRS IN SIGHT What is proving a biz builder amo^ig outdoor agents and boosting up the carnival and fair mart are the many fairs which are this sea- son scheduled to be held by many civic bodies as some sort of cele- bration or other. According to the report, 1930 ap- pears to be the year during which many community bodies have de- cided to hold their celebrations. Agents are getting more action out of carnivals and fairs this year than they did last year, this attrib- uted to the community celebrations. So far the season has been some- what retarded by the bad weather and off to slow start, but the out- door fairs slated to be held during the bad weather period have only . been temporarily delayed. BRUNDAGE CARNIVAL Chicago, May 29. • Every piece of paper, including letter-heads and envelopes, of the S. W. Brundage carnival carries the line, "We comply with the pure show law." . The gag came into be- ■ ing way back in the days when pure food laws were new. At the time an ambitious P. A. hung the line on the carny. It has remained ever since and seems literally true of this outdoor outfit. "But they'd be better off if they had more amusements and less purity," said a battle-scarred vet- eran of the "Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 68, under whose auspices the carny showed when caught. The boys of the post said they would pay the lot rent, of $350. All had to kick in a bit to make up the sum. Over at Joliet, the week previous, the Royal American Shows had left Post 367 some $»O0 to the good, after everything was paid. The show wasn't so pure, but the post has that much extra money. "This here carnival is just like prohibition," said another lanky cHap, "Useless and helpless." The criticism Is just. The Brun- dage shows resemble a highbrow drama, where all the neighbors are expected to turn out, because Mrs. Whyte Jones-Jones, just back from a long stay abroad, says the show is arty and pure. It has everything but lacks amusements'. The list of rides in- cludes the Whip, Leaping Lena, Lindy Loop, Circle Swing, Waltzer, Dodge 'Em, Hey, Hey, Caterpillar and Ferris Wheel. All except the Waltzer, when tlie l)uro food law was a novelty, were good money makers. Today every kid and adult has tried them. Parks are clut teted with them. They are too old to draw. The list of shows falls in the same class. Like Dan Dixie Min- strel, L. B. Lamb circus sideshow. Palace of Mystery, Migic City, An nex Museum, Winter Garden Re view. Chicken Coop, Sun ICist Trail, War Exhibit, Freak Animals and Marine Exhibit. These same shows have been dragged Into Illinois for the past 10 years. Nine people out of 10, with out going In any of them, or look- ing the banners over, can tell ex actly what's Inside. Instead of be ing Hated under "amusements," they would better be called relics. On the other hand the Brundage carnival hasn't a wheel or gaff joint on the grounds. Its eight stores are strictly on the level. Two use the pitching hoops, one a pop gun cig aret outfit, and the balance ball games with knock down pins. Pure and clean. But if the county attorney hadn't been so strict' things would have been different after the third night The Veteran boys pleaded with him for a chance to open a few joints, but with the racing season closing and the mutuels giving trouble, the attorney stood pat and the Veterans dug deep. As it was rides that cost from ?25 to $35 to operate a night took in four or ?5. The entire biz for the week was on this same low level. S. W. Brundage, who used to own the carnival, sold It a short while ago to Mike Clark, his general agent and iD. E. Howard. Howard, who knows all about joints and how they should be run, just hates the word ing "we comply with the pure show law." It's got him so strong that he' walks around cussing to him- self. When asked about it, he re plies: "I don't want to ansv/er that." One of the Veterans asked him how the weather was.. He got the same reply. Clark has been with the show ' a great many years. He insists that it be kept free from grift and firall. If he ever takes It over to Africa, where the natives haven't been viewing the rides and shows for the past 10 years, he might stand a chancA. Worry for Weight Mrs. Viola Barton, sideshow exhibit known as Little Baby Viola, normal weight 512 pounds, wants a divorce from Arthur C. Barton. She says he associated with other fommes and worried her down to 372 pounds, STEEL PIER'S UNE-UP GIVES LOTS OF CHOICE Conn. State Cops Raid Kirkwood on Game Raps New Milford, Conn,, June 3. Fines amounting to $250 were im- posed on various members qf the Kirkwood Carnival, State police raided the outfit on complaints of money lost on games. Ralph Dexter, 35, of Poughkeep- Bie, N, Y„ owner of the show, was ordered to get his carnival out of town immediately and also was given a suspended sentence on a charge of being accessory to gam- bling games. Fined $10 each on charges of be- ing cappers: Daniel Ross, 20, of Brooklyn, N. T.; William Burke, 24, of Bridgeport, Conn,; Arthur Mor- rell, 39, of Boston; Charles Klye, 42, of New Haven, Conn., and David Musanto, 20, also of Bridgeport. Rodney Dexter, 31, also of Poughkfiepsie, fined $50 for operat- ing a dice game. Edward Sdoder, 25, of New Tork City, fined $50 each for two 5-cent slot machines, which it is alleged he was operating. William Gottlieb, 30, of Brooklyn, N. T., fined $50 for operating a money spindle game. Atlantic City, June 3. The Steel Pier entering its 35th season and its fifth under the man- agement of Frank P. Gravatt has its most elaborate entertainment. Beside three yaudfilm shows In three theatres, there will be a Hollywood exhibit, Hawaiian Vil- lage with natives, diving horses with girl riders,, female human projectile, minstrels, human male projectile shot from a plane, Oscar Babcock, stunt cyclist and Fear- less Greggs, who will fly through the air In autos, one turning a triple somersault while passing the other machine. Usual water carnival. For the first time the Pier will have dancing on Sunday. Ted Weems, Jack Ctawford, Wayne King and Phil Baxter's orchestras also there. The return of a series of band concerts have been announced, and Sunday evening's operatic concerts. R.&C. WHEELS STOPPED IN PITTSBURGH BY COPS Pittsburgh, June 3. All wheels on the Rubin & Cherry shows here last week were closed by city authorities. Gruberg, to recoup some of the losses since opening In the south early In April, brought the Nos. 1 and 2 shows here with everything running wide. Slough seenied fixed later in the week, with all running again, but closely watched. Chinese Dragon with Horns Rochester, N. T., June 3. A six-foot Chinese dragon, with horns Is chief freak attraction at Sea Breeze, lakeside amusement park, this year. Monstrosity said to be unclassified zoologically get ting big play along with troupe of full-sized alligators brought In by J. N. Sakaguchi. Park also has added a miniature golf course. Fight on between concessionaires and park management over price of rides, latter favoring 6 cents, which was tried out with' success last fall Season opens with 10 cents with possibility of drop later. Carnivals (For current week (June 2) when not otherwise indicated) American, Bridgevllle, Pa, Bach. Troy, N. Y. rtnrkcr, Monett, Mo. Harnhart, Stoplcs. Mtt\n. Uee, Uacdand, Ky, Blolner, Dalton, Ma.is. Bullard, Hominy, Okla, Butler, OKle.sby. 111. Capital, Montevideo, Minn. CetUn-W., Coatppville, Pa. Coe, Maysvllle, ICy. Coleman, Willlnittiillc, Conn. ConUlin-C, Edmonton, Canada. Enterprise, Froeport, 111. CSreenhurff. Callentc, N'ev. Graham, Wall I.akc, la. Gladway, Ualtimore. Md. Henko'.H, N. Milwaukee. IlofCrer, Marseilles, III. Howard, S. Charleston, W. Va. Indiana, Clear Lake, Ind. Isler, Kansas City. Mo. .loyland, Kvanston, Wyo. I-egeette, Bastrop, La.; 9. El Dorado, Ark. LaiiRhlin, Herm.inn, Mo. McMalion, Dennl.ion, la. Miller, Blloxl. Miss. Monarch, I.lndsbnre, Kan, Morris & C. Qiilncy, III. National, Massillon. O. Pago. Itunlington. W. Va. Plea.nire. Woodsvllle, N. H, Rubln-Cherr>--M.. Plitshureh. Snodgra^s. Carthage, Mo. Stoneman. Iron River, Mich.; 9, Crystal Falls. Mich. .Smith. Utlc.,1, N. T. Southern, Binghamton. N. Y. StelTens, Rediling, Cal. Waterman, Franilngham, Masa. Western. Davy, W, Vn. Wortham. John, Boise, Idaho. Gruberg Wheels Pay Off in Dongh, Show Is Sloughed in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, June 3. Concessionaires of Rubin & Cherry carnival had tough going In the carnival's two-week stand here which ended last Saturday and came out on the short end of two encounters with city and county officials. Eight men were arrested and 14 paddle wheels were seized by county detectives during the first week of activity. Playing for money in pub- lic Is frowned on by District Attor- ney Andrew T. Park, recently ap- pointed. Undaunted concessionaires opened their stands again on the following day. A newspaper which sent re- porters to investigate after the In- itial raid reported 35 booths in op- eration, paying oft In lucre. City police swooped down on the boys again and ordered all concessions closed. The edict put a crimp In busi- ness of the main Rubin and Cherry unit at Exposition Park and a branch In the East Liberty section. 101 on L I. Philadelphia, June S. Long Island Railroad Is lifting the 30-car embargo and will allow the 101 Ranch to travel the road and play the Island. It will be the first big show in nine years. R. M. Harvey, g. a., is trying to arrange the Island tour so that it will be entirely guaranteed. Running Races Out Lexington, Ky-. June 3. Blue Grass Fair, Aug. 10-16, will dispense with running races. Racing programs cost $3,000 a day and association lost money. Managers Intend to find out whether racing or other attractions draws them in. Wrong Way Barldng Long Beach boardwalk con- cessions got off to a great start Decoration Day. So many new stands are being erected it should mean good business for the, crystal gazer and the tea- cup reader and the bump ex- aminer—from the boys expect- ing to occupy those stands. "Palace of Freaks" Is new and will probably die that Way unless the barker changes his line. "Introducing Sealo, half seal, half boy. Just think how the parents of this boy felt when he was born; the mother cried; the father raved; you mothers out there," etc. Arous- ing sympathy for freaks ex- poses profund ignorance^ of feminine reaction. Best way Is to make the women shudder. A half man half woman billed with the most outrageous post- ers. Trick to draw crowd Is a levitation girl, horizontally, with her neck just resting on "this bar of steel." Downie Show Back East, Mid-West Too Crowded Massillon, O., June 3. Downie Bros, motorized show will go no farther west than Ohio, according to Jimmy Herron, owner. Decision this week was made to switch the route and return east after It was learned that most every spot, of 2,000 or better in Ohio and Indiana had been visited by a circus of some kind already this season. Afte^ another week in Ohio the show moves into West Virginia again and then east with the New England states, old Downie terri- tory, as the. objective for late next month. Better Biz Brought 5 Cars Back to Show Chicago, June 3. ' Christy Bros, have added five cars, making a 15-car outfit. Re- cently, because of the bad biz, they sent 10 cars to winter quarters, but sudden increase the past two weeks brought the enlargement. Worrell With S.-F. Chicago, June 5. Fred Worrell has been made as- sistant manager of the Sells-Floto. Howard Kings with Coles Portland, Ore,, June 3. Reported here that Howard King and his wife are again on the Cole Bros. Circus. Floyd King, brother of Howard, has been running the outfit since financed last spring by the National Printing Co. of Chi cago. Last fall show was thrown into bankruptcy, with the Howard Kings leaving for Europe. Mrs. King Is reported as having charge of the front door. George Strickler now p. a. for Chi Stadium' fights. "Cannon BaD'' Out Chicago, June 3. Cliff Gregg, human cannon ball act on the Bobbins Bros, circus, was let out last week. Bad biz the ca-use. At the same time contracting agent Nanny Gunn and a P. A., Al- bert Birmingham, were dropped. Harry Kutz Dies Harry Kutz, 55, died suddenly of heart trouble on the Christy Bros. Circus in Colorado last week. Kutz had been connected with circuses all his life and was front- door and mailman for the Christy outfit. Burial at Hot Spring, Ark., June 2. Circuses Ringling-Barnum June 4-5, Baltimore, Md.; 0. Wilming- ton, Del.; 7, Lancaster, Pa.; 0, Jersey City, N. J.; 10-11. Newark, N. J.; 12, Allentown, Pa,; 13, Wllkes-Uarre; 11, Harrlsburg, Pa. Sells-Floto June 4, Schenectady, N. T.; 6, Glens Falls, N. Y.; 0, Burlngton. Vt.; 7, Mont- peller, "Vt. John Robinson Juno 4. Hornjll, N. Y.; 5, Elmira; 6, Ilhaca; 7, Binghamton; 9. Port Jervls, N. Y. Hagenbeck-Wallace June 4, Battle Creek, Mich.; 6, Kala- mazoo; 0, Grand Rapids; 7, Muskegon, Mich. - ■ Ai. G. Barnes . June 3, Dellingham, Wash.; 4, Van- couver, Can.; 5, Everett, Wash.; 6, Wenatchee; 7, Okanogan. Sparks June 5, Port Chester. N, Y.; 6, Bridge- port, Conn.; 7. Ansonia; 0. Meriden; 10, New Brighton, Conn.; 11, Manchester, N, H.; 1'.', Willimantlc. Conn. Gentry Bros. June 2, Xcnla, 0.; 3, Wilmington; 4, Washington C. H.; 5, Chllllcolhe; 0, Hillsboro; 7, London. Barnett Bros. June 2, Boficobel. Wis.: 3, VIroqua; 4 Sparta: 0. Black River Falls; 0, Nellls. viile; 7, Marshneld, Wis. 101 Ranch June 2, Perth Amboy. N. J.: 3, Long Branch, N. J,; 4, Westfleld, N. J.; 6, Rnglcwood; 0-7, Patcrson, N. J.; 9, Stam- ford. Conn,; 10, New London. Conn,; H, Newport, R. I,; 12. Pawtucket; 13, Provi- dence, R. I,; 14, Willimantlc, Conn.; 10, Hartford, Conn. Seils-Sterling June 4-7, Marinette, Wis. BODNARS COULDN'T FIX IN CHI; THAT'S FUNNT Chicago, June 3. Bodnar Bros., carnival at ^8th andl Robey streets, was closed by th« police last week. Owners were un- able to fix the location, as- they; have other spots in Chicago. Carny has been operating wld« open since gettlrtg under way ia the early spring, with complaints from every neighborhood It has showed In. Week previous, at 7lst and Constance, brought a fiood oC protests which landed In the Citjr, Hall and some of the local papers. Under auspices of the American Legion, show was allowed to finish the week, with the slam on the next stand. CIRCUS IN COLD AND TROUBLES UP-STATE Geneva, N. T., June 3. -It was a bad, bad day for Sells- Floto Circus when it hit this city« Sigfred Davidson, 18, acrobat, in- jured In a fall at Willlamport, was brought to the local hospital. Lea Hicks, 24,. laborer with the show, was hit by a taxlcab at a street coVner and taken to the hospital with a broken leg. Three clowns got in a fight and went to police cells. Later released after paying fines. John Black Fox, Sioux Indian, got tangled up In Geneva firewater twice In two days and faced City Judge George F. Dltmars, chief oC the Tribe of Kashong, Geneva sum- mer colony Indians. Black Fox heard about the judge's title and got chummy, remarking to th» court: "Maybe Big Chief too some- times like firewater?" Judge roared that he would give the prisoner IS minutes to get out of town and Black Fox hurried away, to catch the circus at Auburn. Circus performers dodged the cold and rain as much as possible by deserting their cars and putting up at local hotels. U. S. Circus Co., Inc. Des Moines, June 3. Incorporation of the United States Circus Co., owner of Bobbins Bros, circus, was completed last week, with $160,000 capital stock.. Fred Buchanan Is president and Les. G. Minger secretary. Company has winter quarters la Granger but will maintain head of- fice In Des Moines. Jailed for Bannering Stamford, Conn., June 3. Brigades of the 101 Ranch and Ringling. B. & B. circuses were both placed in jail here last week by city authorities for bannering. The 101 plays the town June 9, with Ringling coming in the middle of July. Both shows posted a bond of ?200 they would remove banners already spotted and agreed to tack no more. Released, LITERATI (Continued from page 73) year this month, with the Smith family -still in control. There was never known to be a "Street" in the firm. The Street & Smith mags now number 15. Concern also gets out books under the imprint of Chelsea House. Russel Grouse's Deluxer Russel Crouse, the "Evening Post" columnist, whose hobby, aside from acting and poker, is Currier and ives prints, is writing a his- tory of the Currier and Ives firm, to be called "Mr. Currier and Mf. Ives." It will come out in a limited edi- tion at a price of around $25 a copy, which should give Ciouse plenty of poker chips. What's Behind Slang? That college prof who has been compiling a "History and Origin of Slang" has abandoned the idea, be- cause he could not get the thing printed. Reason is that the majority of slang terms and words have im- moral or obscene origins and could not be published. Real Names of Authors Zephine Humphrey is Mrs. Wal- lace Weir Fahnestock, Flaccus is Newman Levy, Stephen Hudson is Sydney Schiff, Vernon Lider and John Haslette are John Cieorge Va- hey, and Louise Marlow is Louis UmfrevlUe Wilkinson. "New Literary Monthly" A new literary monthly startiner in September, will be called jusr that. "The Literary Monthly" will cover books and the arts, with pub- lication offices In New "5fprlc, No editor yet. Take your tim<».