Saturday, August 29, 2009

1944 Ringling-Barnum #1


Scan12073, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

19 comments:

Jack Ryan said...

Buckles,

Ernestine and Parley were, indeed, circus royalty.

I was fortunate to get to know both in California, even having the pleasure of attending a few circuses with them.

Parley, was of, course a delightful gentleman, storyteller and raconteur. Ernestine was a charming and gracious lady. Both were unfailing kind to me.

What an honor I it was to be their friends.

Frank Ferrante said...

Well said, Mr. Ryan, well said. ~frank

Wade G. Burck said...

Jack,
I a have always been curious about the title, "circus royalty". Is it a birthright such as in England or an elected position similar to our President.
Thanks,
Wade Burck

Jack Ryan said...

No, Wade.

It's not a birthright. It's a compliment and a bow to highly professional people in our business who excelled in their particular fields, who graced the circus with their talents and continued long after their performing careers to show class, humanity and humility.

Your question was snarky. My answer is sincere.

Anonymous said...

If you have to ask, you aren't one.

Wade G. Burck said...

Jack,
I am not sure what "snarky" means, but I was asking for knowledge. I googled "circus royalty" and all that came up was royalty free pictures, royalty free clip art, royalty free videos, etc. etc. I had heard it used in Europe once to denote a women who owns a circus, and as a monarchy is more familiar there, assumed that was the connection. Her parents owned the circus before her, but as I had never heard her parents noted as such, I never understood how it worked. Sorry. Thanks for the explanation.
Wade

Anonymous,
Not to worry. It seems to be an opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. God bless America, that we can all have one.
Wade Burck

Jim Z said...

Wade...
From Websters..

Main Entry: snarky
Pronunciation: \ˈsnär-kē\
Function: adjective
Etymology: dialect snark to annoy, perhaps alteration of nark to irritate

1 : crotchety, snappish
2 : sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner

Hope this helps...

Steve said...

Jeez fellas - it's history. EXACTLY the right topic to discuss here. How are us antipodeans going to learn about US circus history if we can't hear all the different versions?

Buckles said...

SNARKY:
"Comment from one who practices Snarkism"

Wade G. Burck said...

Steve,
Take censored history for what it is worth. That's the value of "anonymous tips". They can lead the story any direction. See Irvin Feld/Mattel discussion. If folks are afraid to comment, for fear of reprisal from an anonymous thug you can make any history you like, not necessarily factual. If it can't be discussed publicly, how will the facts be learned. Jamie Clubb has penned some brilliant threads on the very same subject.
Wade Burck

Mr. Big Nose said...

In the Perfume Industry One Asks ;

What is that FRAGRENCE ?

OR

What is that ODOR ?

J.C. Hall said...

Well spoken Mr.Ryan, A thanks to
Jim Z.For a bit of schooling.
To.Mr.Woodcock
"Snarky" "Snarkism"; could this mean there is a "Royal Snarkist" among us?
I recall on a show lot the electrician being nick-named "Sparky".In light of this I would suppose one could be nick-named
"Old Snarky"

Buckles said...

We had a large fire in town recently and the next day the Tampa Tribune and the St. Pete Times gave totally opposite descriptions.
So much for History if you are interested in 100 year old events.

Wade G. Burck said...

Schnooz,
I think you meant "fragrance". And maybe "odeur", if you want to be at least half educated, or give the illusion of.
Wade Burck

Buckles said...

I remember an electrician with Little Bob's show called "Tittywatt".
It started out as "Kilowatt" but he had a speech impediment and we wound up saying it the way he did.

Wade G. Burck said...

Buckles,
Good point about the Tampa Tribune, and St. Pete Times. At least you had access to both sides of the story, on which to weigh the facts, in deciding which was valid. What is "royalty" is one side with the photo Sue sent in today, and it is understood. Jack had another side, and I wanted to understand that also. Which newspaper was right? I would suppose the one with the verifiable facts. Which newspaper was wrong? I would suppose the one with speculation, guesses, word of mouth, censorship or agenda.
Wade Burck

J.C. Hall said...

Oh "Rebecca" oh "Rebecca" where art thou "Rebecca"?

Anonymous said...

jcHall,
Are you looking for Rebecca Ostroff?

Roger Smith said...

Kim and I took care of Parley during his last 14 months. It was a privilege and an honor to tend to his needs and to be in his home, which was visited by legions of film and circus folk. We had assistance with caregivers who, for a variety of reasons came and went, but it came down to Kim and I to run the house and to oversee Parley's moment-to-moment care.

I took this 1944 program cover, the portrait of Ernestine and the article, cut out the mat, and carefully framed them as a composite for Kim.