The Circus Blog

The Banner Painter

Posted By thecircusblog on December 17, 2011

These show painters were unbelievable. All you had to do wavs to give them an idea of what you wanted and their mind would run away with it. They had great imagination and skill and when their banner was completed it was indeed a work of art. Most of these side show banners are worth a fortune in today’s market. Even thoughts that have been painted over a few times are extremely valuable. If you happen to have a circus or carnival side show banner, you have a work of art.

Please read the comment made by, Chris Johnson.

Category: Circus & Carnival Side Shows, Doc Capell Capell Bros. | 3 Comments »
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Hawaiian Village

Posted By thecircusblog on December 17, 2011

There were all types of side shows and they would only last as long as they made money. So from season to season the midways would change its appearance, which was good for the show. This particular show lasted only one season on Doc Capell’s midway. Most patrons were disappointed. The girls were not revealing enough. Not even a peek. Doc Capell show 1941.

Category: Doc Capell Capell Bros. | No Comments »
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Doc & Myme Capell

Posted By thecircusblog on December 17, 2011

Doc & Myme Capell standing in front of their merry go round. Capell Bros Carnival 1956.

Category: Doc Capell Capell Bros. | No Comments »
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California Nudist

Posted By thecircusblog on December 16, 2011

This is a rare photo of a mid 1930’s side show. It was called “California Nudist,” for whatever reason, I guess I will never know. Perhaps California was at that time more provocative than other states. At any rate this show and others like it traveled with carnivals and did quite well. There were those times when they could not open the show because of the blue nose laws. As for the entertainment inside the tent there were no women running around dancing in the nude. It was totally canvas paintings and photo art that one could see in any museum or library. Mainly Greek, Roman and Victorian nudes etc. It did however have a flair of mystery to it. There were little hints that you may see something other than just a photo or a statue. I remember a side show similar to this one on the Siebrand Bros Circus in the mid 1950’s. The nude art show was owned by Norman Prather.

Category: Circus & Carnival Side Shows, Doc Capell Capell Bros. | 1 Comment »
Tags: California Nudist, Nude Beaches, Nudes, Nudity

The “Att Show”

Posted By thecircusblog on December 14, 2011

The “Att Show” was it’s short name for “Athletic Show”. They presented wrestling and boxing challenge matches. In it’s day it was one of the most popular shows on the midway. This might be where today’s wrestling got it’s start. It was all about getting an audience totally angered over the dirty tricks the wrestlers would do to each other to win a match and it would build excitement for their next event. They presented a show of strength and showmanship. These wrestling matches would grind through the night as long as there was a tip. There was side betting on who would win and lose. “Shills” in the audience that would place a bet with onlookers. The “shills” knew who was going to win in advance. This money was later cut up by the wrestlers. In the smaller towns this was another way to make money in addition to the sale of tickets sold on each of the wrestling events. There was a blow off after each 20 to 30 minute match. Most important was planning and control over who would win or loose, and each wrestler knew how to play to the rowdy audience. Good guy vrs the bad guy….this kept the tip usually all night. Notice inside the tent there is a match going on as a tip is building in front. Once you got the towns folk in a carefully controlled frenzy and there was a massive crowd, they would lift the side wall to allow others to see the event from behind the crowd. This made it a sweet tip for the next night of wrestling and more money could be made on side betting. Those that were in the back of the crowd would be first in line for the next evening’s show. Doc was a wrestler himself and a pro I might add. His “ATT SHOW” was small, and only carried 3 pro wrestlers. When a larger carnival “At TShow” would book a big city, they would plant one of their wrestlers in that city a month in advance. This “plant” was usually a likable, strong, farm boy type. The young fellow would make a lot of friends at the local bars and if available find a job at a store or market where by he could meet a substantial amount of people that were not inclined to be at bars such as home makers and merchants.

The show came into town and opened up for the fun seekers. As you may have already guessed, the wrestlers were on the bally platform taunting the midway crowd with challenges that they could whip any man in town. The young farm boy made sure that he was in the crowd that was being built up in front of the bally platform. He made a few remarks back at the wrestlers only to heat up things, then he would politely leave. He and his new found friends would casually walk around the midway only to return to the “ATT” show. This time he accepted a challenge and then someone would come up with the idea of having a sum of purse money for the winner. Of course one of the wrestlers shouted out, “we will put up two hundred dollars, will you town folks match it?” Like clock work they gathered up the money needed. The tip grew and grew, side betting began. Then a giant of a man stepped into the ring and waited for the young man to enter. Within minutes the young unknown boy pinned the pro wrestler to the ring mat. Someone in the crowd would yell “the boy is the winner.” Now all the while the pro wrestler was screaming “I want a rematch” and he got a rematch each night and without failing the young man was the winner. Each night the crowd got larger and the stakes got higher as well. On the last show night things changed. The young man complained of not feeling too good and didn’t really want to go into the ring saying he was afraid he would lose. This of course was an alibi. The more he complained the more his fans would encourage him. “You can do it” they would say….”Just one more match”, “one more win”……. IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. The young farm boy would lose. It was the heavy betting and the build up for the sting. When it was over, all bets were paid to the show and the fixer took care of any heat. It was all out and over. The show moved on to the next town. The young man one day disappeared from the town, all thought from shame. Three weeks later he returned to the show. This type of “Att Shows” existed in the early 1930’s & 1940’s.

Doc Capell’s show ran a clean “Att Show”and only put on exhibition matches. The more aggressive style of carnival “At Shows” do not operate any more …at least not on a carnival or circus. The name of the Athletic Show in above photo is unknown to me. The story is true as told to me years ago by an old “Att Show” wrestler…. who was that young man.

Great comment by Ward Hall. Thanks Ward.

Read the comment from Lisa.

Category: Doc Capell Capell Bros., JACKPOTS, Midway Stdeshows | 2 Comments »
Tags: Athletic Wrestling, Pro Wrestlers, Wrestler, Wrestling

ACT NOW !

Posted By thecircusblog on December 12, 2011

Dear fellow Circus Performers, Circus Fans and Friends. 12-12 -11

I spoke to Rep. Schweikert’s office today and there might be a ray of hope regarding the H.R.3359 bill referenced in the above letter. I requested an audience with Congress whereby we could have a voice in this matter. I spoke of the horrendous impact it would have not only the American circus but on other types of animal entertainment as well if this bill were to be passed. I was told by his secretary she would call Rep. Schweikert in Washington and request a way that we could have our own representation before Congress.

She promised to get back to me in a day or so, but in the meantime all of you must start writing letters to your Congressmen now! I need your help. Let them hear our voice!

Sincerely,

Ivan M. Henry

Please read the important comments that are sent.

As of this date 12-16-11 I have not heard back from anyone concerning the above matter. I will keep trying!

Category: Ivan M. Henry | 3 Comments »
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Lillian Leitzel

Posted By thecircusblog on December 10, 2011

Grace, Beauty and Poise.

Ringling show.

Category: Ringling Bros----& Barnum, Bailey | No Comments »
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Sky King

Posted By thecircusblog on December 10, 2011

Kirby Grant was not only a T-V star, He also was sort of a circus star. When Kirby wasn’t shooting his television show, He was a special guest star on many different circuses. We did numerous shows with him through out the years. I can tell you this , He loved every moment of being around circus performers and even got into some of the acts…….If you let him. Kirby Grant was fine man.