The Martell Troupe
Posted By thecircusblog on February 8, 2012
Thought these performers were part of the Ted Dewayne troupe. It is not Russ Saunders or Paula Bolsems. The throwers, there names are unknown to me. However the fellow on the far right looks like Mel Werkmeister? I did not know Russ or Paula until the late 1950’s. My family and I were doing shows with Ted Dewayne, it was then I met Russ and Paula, they were performing in Teds teeterboard act. Though out the 50’s and 1960’s we became good friends.
Please read comment made by Darrell Ferges and Bob Cline. Also a comment by Randy”Chucko” Runyon.
There are some confusing in the comments that were just made. There needs to be more facts or at least another photo. This photo came from the Carson Royal Rocketts collection. The Carson’s worked with this act in the early 1950’s.
NOW I HAVE AN UP DATE, Thanks to Jacob Mayfield. I will be posting photos and info that Jacob sent me.
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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
8 Responses to “The Martell Troupe”
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Hey Ivan……not sure of Mel on the right, it does look like him, but am pretty sure that the thrower on the left is Ray, Russes brother. Before I joined Teds circus history at about this time (late fifties I think) Russ trained and was a father figure to myself and my siblings at Muscle Beach. That is where all these great acrobats around Ted (Fay Alexander,Billy Snyder,there are many more that escape me right now) trained. Teterboard Adajio should be credited to Russ and Paula. Paula and I took turns being topmounters in the teterboard act. She would fly and be caught more as a dancer and I did stuff to shoulder catches. Not too long after this we did the movie Thouroughly Modern Millie and with Carol Channing take our act and do a musical number on the teterboard. Paula doubles Carol and I get to be the other topmounter. Hope to get you more history of Ted Dewayne and all the cool stuff we got to be a part of.
She has great poise and grace doesn’t she?
Wow, The history and people the Dewayne Bros. raised and Fathered is amazing.Bobby Yerkes and dancing Don Kirby and me, I used to be one of the lucky kids they pulled from the audience and put on top.As I recall I went up to 3 or 4 high. I also rode the chimps unicycle because it was the right height for a 5 year old. Once I had the feel of a two high on Don’s shoulders,while riding the unicycle, I was hooked for life…Yerkes and therest later did “Streets of San Francisco” along with Wobbles (Danny Ashley).Danny was a first of May on DeWaynes show and a Miracle in the making. Hello Darrel .Seen any peat moss lately?
Randy,aka Mercedes and Benz,aka The Randolphs, Jeepers and the rest of the story.
Aloha My Brothers.
Hey Randy saw your post this afternoon and then talked to my brother and he said to really put a big shout out to you. We have gone around the sun a few times since we last laughed about it all with you. I have seen peat moss and am becoming quite the farmer/gardener on my little ranch here. As for this Ted Dewayne business I am sure there is a lot of great performers and associates of Teds era still looking back at his show as a great experience and launching pad. My family does and I feel I got to have a very special relationship with a great man. He told me if you think your pretty right on, stand up for your truth. He launched us big time.I began my electronic life interest with Ted and his generator.
Darryl and Terry,
In the words of May West, I ‘d LOVE to come UP and see you sometime! Are you going Out this Year?
Most of these names are not correct. The catcher is Robert Mayfield, thrower on the left is Bud Mayfield. Not sure of the thrower on the right. The woman in the air is named Virginia, but I’m not sure of her last name. Bud is my grandfather and Robert is his brother. My grandmother Alice joined in the late 40’s. Their troupe was named Martells & Mignon. This photo was taken sometime in the 30’s. I have original prints of this image.
Hey Ivan I looked real closely at this photo and I think this is not Russ and Paula.I was not aware of adajio on a teterboard before Russ. A flying stag was Paula’s signature trick.
I am Jacob’s sister, he’s right on all counts…we’ve been looking at these pictures our whole lives… kind of amazing that others have them it always seemed like they were just in our family bubble.