Big Shoe Revue: Jay Stewart and Mike Smith

Jay Stewart and Mike Smith performing warm up comedy before The Big Shoe Revue at the Texas State Fair in 1997.

A select group of students from the Clown College class of 1997 were taken to Dallas to perform in a thirty minute show comprised of acts from the 1997 graduation. 

It is my understanding that this was an attempt to show Kenneth Feld a way that Clown College could bring in money during the year, but unfortunately the idea went no further and there was no Clown College in 1998, much to the dismay of fourteen year old me!

Inventing Circus Laughs

An interesting read from the December 1937 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine about E.M. Aronson who made many walkaround props for circus clown Lew Hershey.

The article goes into good detail of how Aronson built each prop, if you'd like to make them yourselves, but I don't think they are worth the effort today. Maybe they were a laugh riot in 1937?

Unfortunately there is a Chinese laundry walkaround that has not aged well at all. What's more unfortunate, it was performed as late as 1989 on the Red and Gold Units of Ringling. Woof.

Enjoy!

Mike Bourbon

 

Classic American whiteface clown, Mike Bourbon, who clowned on many shows in his career. I know he was with Clyde Beatty, Ringling, and Hoxie, but would be interested to learn of the others as well.

The only Mike Bourbon story I know has to do with his one season on Ringling in 1970. He was in drag as a mother character in a ring gag revolving around a country picnic. For the blow off of the gag he was inside of a small tent in the ring (maybe supposed to be like one of those old time changing tents from the beach?), and a bomb would be thrown inside and explode....because every old American clown gag needed some kind of explosive in it!

One performance the pyro did not detonate, so Mike ran out of the little tent in his dress, waving his arms and yelling, "Boom, everybody, Boom!" 

Anyone have any Mike Bourbon stories you would like to share?

Lew Kish

Lew Kish, pictured here on Clyde Beatty, and also as sketched by Mark Anthony. I know Lew also clowned on Ringling in the 1940s and before that worked on Dailey Brothers, where he was a mentor to young Ernie "Blinko" Burch. 

Mark Anthony Sketches

A page from the self published book, Mark Anthony's Sketches, which was compiled by Marty Scott. This page features Mark's drawings of Bobby Kay, Keith Crary, Lou Jacobs, Billy Baker, and Jim Howle.

 

American Clown Trailer

A new documentary now available to rent or buy on Prime Video, Youtube, Fandango, Vimeo, AppleTV+,  and Google TV.

From Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the International Clown Hall of Fame

UPDATE - A generous donor has agreed to match dollor for dollar up to $5,000!

Thank you to everyone who have been so generous so far and to the kindness of our matching donor!

To all Brother & Sister Racoons out there in clown alley-land….

As most can tell by the majority of photos and posts I make, then tend to highlight clowns and positive (and hopefully funny) energy.

15 years ago the opportunity to help guide an institution to its new home in Baraboo presented itself. During my career I’ve been blessed to have worked alongside many great clowns and been the recipient of their kindness in sharing their craft with me as a young performer.

Growing up I wanted to trip over an ottoman like Dick Van Dyke, throw pies like the Three Stooges and do the Hucklebuck like Jackie Gleason. This career path has made those, and so many other dreams happen.

I am humbled & proud of the work that the Board of Directors, friends, family and clown enthusiasts have done to help make the International Clown Hall of Fame grow, prosper and become a respected depository of clown artifacts. Even more importantly, it’s not a static museum but more of a place where new generations can come and engage in conversation, research and hear first person accounts of the performers who have come before and those who’s career’s are rising to elevate the art form of the clown.

Along with all the platitudes, we also must acknowledge the reality of keeping a museum operating. We have always been prudent in financial matters, but we want & need to progress to a more sustainable & steadier foundation. This has been the number one priority of the Board and as we work towards creating a realistic, obtainable financial future, we ask for your help in closing the gap for the immediate term.

Our goal is $10,000. To some non for profits that number is minuscule. To the ICHOF it will allow us to breathe, help close urgent funding gaps, focus on the future and create a plan that allow growth going forward.

Any amount from $5.00 to $10,000 helps us remain true to our mission. If you know me, you know how much this museum means to me. I am grateful for your support and friendship and hope you can be a part of it going forward.

With laughter - Greg

 https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-international-clown-hall-of-fame?attribution_id=sl:88306f22-d08a-419b-8cf3-076d27d4a01d&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Ringling Copier Gag

As requested by Dave Michaels, here is Jeff Schott and Ceslee Conkling performing a copier gag during Winter Quarters of the Blue Unit's 124th Edition aka the Romeo and Juliet tour. 

This was filmed during the gag night presentation where Kenneth Feld would decide what clown material would be used in the show.

I remember seeing this gag during Come In of the previous Blue Unit tour in 1993. I believe it was Robbie Edwards doing Jeff's part, but I'm not sure if Ceslee was also in it. 

Les Macloma

My favorite Soliel clowns from the late 90s/early 2000s are Joe De Paul and his partner in Dralion, and Les Macloma. The whiteface of the trio, Alain Catonne, uploaded all of their entrées from Quidam onto his Youtube channel; this is the first.