Monday, May 29, 2006

From Bill Strong #1


To you young Circus Fans who have been raised with the impression that Irvin Feld saved the Ringling Show from extinction, this picture shows Madison Sq. Garden in the 1950's after moving indoors for good.
As near as I can figure there are 48 girls in the air with Galla Shawn in the center making 100 people altogether counting the web sitters. Nearly twice the number appearing in today's Blue Show complete performance.

Posted by Buckles at 5/29/2006 06:37:00 AM

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This arena has excitement in the air even without the performers. That's like a Barbara Rocker View.
( spot lights tech , up in the arenas stratousphier )

29 May, 2006 08:04
Anonymous said...

I thought I was looking at a picture of Evansville!

29 May, 2006 12:41
Anonymous said...

It's not that Irving neccessarily saved Ringling, but he did keep the show as the Greatest Show on Earth for 30 some years. Not a show in the world could compete. Now we're seeing the rapid decline, and there are plenty of shows here and abroad that can kick their a**.

29 May, 2006 21:47
Buckles said...

That's Irvin!

29 May, 2006 22:03
Anonymous said...

oops

29 May, 2006 23:14
Anonymous said...

Isn't it ironic that there has never been more circus schools in the USA and Canada and yet there is not enough places to work for performers.

29 May, 2006 23:42
Bob Cline said...

Having never seen a One ring show the likes of Big Apple before, I had the opportunity to see Circus Flora this weekend with Billy and Karen Glenn. FANTASTIC! I've already seen the RBBB Gold unit this year and Circus Flora is Cream of the crop in my book. I still hope I can see the Big Apple especially with Barry Lubin working. I have to admit though, my heart still loves all the three ring excitement that any show offers especially under canvas.
Bob

30 May, 2006 09:06
Anonymous said...

Bob. Circus Flora has no elephants. It can not be a true circus no matter how great the show is.

30 May, 2006 09:30
Anonymous said...

Well, sad to say there will be a day when there are no elephants, but the show will go on, as have quite a few that have dropped them. Seals went, chimps went, most of the bears are gone, cage acts are few and far between and people got used to it. The KFC (Kenny Feld Circus) will probably be the last to have them and maybe a few independants will show up at Shrine dates, and then they will be gone too. There are almost no circus animals in England, though Europe is still going strong. What you gonna do?

30 May, 2006 21:29
Anonymous said...

Cry and read the blog everyday. The new shows are very nice, but they are shows, not circus. They will be the future,but they will never give that special thrill that the circus did. Its a real shame that this has happened to the circus. One of the very few things for a family to work in and to visit. Those of us who took part in the circus have been the luckiest performers in the world. We have the memories to share of working with animals. The future does not. They will never even know what they missed. We are history and we were great. The future is a very sad place when you think about it.

31 May, 2006 08:27

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