Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The Greatest Show on Earth 1951 (Group 4)


This is the conclusion of the Eric Beheim 1951 transparencies.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

When we look back at the history of RBBB right at the time that the Ringlings merged their two enormous shows in 1918. One being Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows and the other Barnum and Bailey The Greatest Show on Earth they continued to still keep the enormity rivalling any competition even during war years and not cutting back and in the twenties it even grew larger in scope. then in the years of changing leaders when Gumpertz took over for a number of years the size and quality of the show remained and the days of Robert Ringling it did not diminish and of course John North had it at its heights until its collapse under canvas but its difficult times finding its right direction it still kept the trappings of the GSOE. Irvin Feld brought it to another degree in size and scope to the point of creating two GSOE insisting that both be equal in size and wanting and having no less than 19 elephants on each show with expanded production, increase in size of company to about 150 performers on each unit. More horses and at least two wild animal acts on each show. He labeled it , The longest running hit in showbusiness and it was truly that. After Irvin's passing there has been a noticeable decline in all elements that made it the GSOE and in the last two years the press and public have noted just that especially with the Blue Show of this year when all the great traditions were thrown out the window, including the essential circus rings and fewer acts than are seen in the Shrine Circuses. No stars are even advertised because they don't have any. Now all of greatness previously mentioned was during times of wars, depression, recessions, terrible tradgedy of fires.etc. but in always remained the GSOE. I believe that the leaders of this American Instituition have a responsibility to keep it what it always has been and not a PR spin called called interacting with the audience to fill time that would normaly have a quality act and of course seeing a trainer jump over a tiger is hardly up to the standards of the GSOE. It is reputed that the owners are mega bucks multa hundred million dollar in assets, so their is certainly no shotage of money. Lots of concession money out there. I hope they realize what will be lost before its too late.

Anonymous said...

Here,Here,Mr.Herriot,Here,Here