Ringling Bros Barnum &.Bailey
Posted By thecircusblog on May 29, 2010
All the different names of show on this poster could be confusing, But this was just another way to advertise the show, sort of like an endorsement of one circus to another…….however they were all owned by the same company. 1938.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
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This holds quite a story. Due to insurmountable union troubles, Ringling closed early in Scranton, Pa., and returned to Winterquarters, in Sarasota. There, they took a deep breath and quickly sent a great contingent of their stellar acts to form the above combine. The title, Al. G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Combined Circus Presents Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Stupendous New Features, was the longest in circus history. Tremendous anxieties arose as the Ringling cars arrived to join out in Redfield, South Dakota. It must be noted here that Ringling interests owned the other combine and could staff the show as they pleased. Sure enough, many fears were soon realized when top Barnes and Sells-Floto performers and bosses were pushed aside to be favored by those from RBBB. One stalwart of the Barnes roster remained in Center Ring–Mabel Stark, who the previous winter had broken out 22 mixed lions and tigers, for her biggest act ever. One example of bad feelings came when Dolly Jacobs’ elephant riding cats were cut, supposedly due to program length. No reason given soothed the anger and disappointment, but this is the title that finished out the annus horribilis of 1938.