| Number 21 | P.O. Box 711, Tulsa, Oklahoma | June - 1946 |
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The St. Louis meet was attended by all the above jugglers with the exception of Leo Rullman, and in addition Charlton Chute, Richard McKinney, and Art Jennings were present. There was too much going on all the time to really get together all the jugs at one time but we did all get together for a session one morning. The Vents were holding a meet in the same room so midst much dummy cackling and club and ball dropping a good time was had by all. A picture of everyone tossing objects was taken but the pay-off was that all the negatives taken by the photog. were ruined in the dark room -- must have made him nervous to see all those missiles whirling through the air. Art Jennings presented his comedy tramp jug. act at one of the shows. Art's break-away club, yo-yo plates, and giant clubs are tops in comedy juggling effects and he garnered plenty of laughs and yocks for the act. Art uses plates that look and above all sound like real plates. They are heavier than most jugs care to handle but the realistic sound adds plenty to the plate juggling routine. Charlie Carrer upheld juggling traditions on the Headliner Show by stopping the show with his clever juggling and balancing. Carrer's act is a refreshing change from standard toss acts.
Sandy Santos writes to invite any jugglers in or going to Honolulu, Hawaii to drop in at the Mexican Rancho Grande, 1382 South King St. He also drops a snap of four club tossing which will not reprint very well so we'll wait for a better one. Fred Hazelwood, the hobby juggler, 522 Woodbine Dr., Lexington, Ky. announces open house for all jugglers passing through his way. His collection and juggler's Den which is being completed will guarantee you an interesting juggling session.
Al Conner posts this swell laugh getter- "When about to do four clubs I remark, 'I have practiced four years trying to juggle four clubs so this evening I'm going to try juggling 4 clubs without missing a single club.' just as you raise the clubs to start, drop one, then look at audience, at ceiling, and off stage- then looking at audience, say, 'Four years of my life shot to hell'. Then pick up the club and juggle four clubs walking off stage while juggling.
Charlton Chute passes on the valuable info that back copies of magazines can often be bought from H.W. Wilson Company, 950 University, New York-52, N.Y. or F.W. Faxon, 83 Francis, Back Bay, Boston, Mass. Chute also types that Royal American Shows (carnival) has an excellent juggler this season. He'd like to know when devil sticks were first used in this country, who was the first to juggle cigar boxes, and who was the first to use the mouthstick. How about these-Breen, Lind, Weeks, et al?
Harry Lind pens some good news- he is going to reprint the Van Wyck catalog, adding many more pics from his collection as well as the modern jugglers. This will be a most interesting collector's item as well as historical record in pictures.
Next issue will contain the extra sheet of advertising so if you have anything to sell or want anything and want your desires to be known to all jugglers drop us a line by the 15th.
"A tall athletic fellow advanced and making his salaam to the gallery, threw himself on the ground. After performing several strange antics, he placed his head downwards, with his heels into the air, raised his arms and crossed them over on to his breast, balancing himself all the while upon his head. A cup containing sixteen brass balls was now put into his hands; these he took out severally, threw them into the air, keeping the whole sixteen in constant motion, crossing them and causing them to describe all sorts of figures, and not allowing one of them to reach the ground. When he had thus shown his dexterity for a few minutes, a slight man approached, climbed up his body with singular agility and stood upright upon the inverted feet of the performer, who was still upon his head. A second cup, containing sixteen balls was handed to the smaller man who commenced throwing them until the whole were in the air. Thirty-two balls were now in motion, and the rays of the sun falling upon their polished surfaces, the jugglers appeared in the midst of a shower of gold. The effect was singular and the dexterity displayed by them quite amazing. They were as steady as if they had been fixed into stone, and no motions save the movements of their hands and heads were visible. At length the upper man having caught all his balls, and replaced them in his cup, sprang to the ground, and his companion was almost as quickly upon his legs.
After a short pause, the man who had before exhibited himself with his body reversed, planted his feet close together, and standing upright like a column, the smaller juggler climbed his body as before, and placing the crown of his head upon that of his companion, raised his legs into the air, thus exactly reversing the late position of the two performers. After they had been in this position for about a minute, the balls were again put into their hands, and the whole thirty-two kept in motion as before. It was very remarkable that, during the entire time they were thrown, neither of them once came in contact- a proof of the marvelous skill displayed.
When they had done with the balls, the upper man took a number of small cylindrical pieces of steel two inches long; several of these he placed upon his nose, producing a slender rod full a foot in length; which in spite of his difficult position, he balanced so steadily that not one of the pieces fell. He then crossed the taper column with a flat bar of copper half an inch wide and four inches long; upon this he fixed one of his little cylinders and on top of that a slight spear; the whole of which he balanced with perfect steadiness, finally taking off every separate piece and throwing it upon the ground. Thus concluded this extraordinary performance. Grasping hands as before, the little man sprang upon his feet, and made his obeisance to the gallery."
In my nonage I thought it quite within the bounds of possibility that I might achieve fame and fortune as a second Cinquevalli, and after many months of weary practice did succeed in crisscrossing and showering five balls. A very fine juggler named Francis beautifully criss-crossed seven balls whilst balanced on a cannon ball and Chinko, a boy juggler advertised himself as the only manipulator of nine balls. He certainly did manage to throw the nine balls into the air and catch them but as some were tossed in pairs the throw could hardly pass as a legitimate feat of ball-tossing. Later Rastelli did succeed in the almost unthinkable feat of juggling ten balls legitimately. But our friend saw sixteen balls patterned in the air for several minutes. Ye Gods.
This review was added to my collection by a friend -- However, if memory serves me right, I believe I read this or a similar one in an issue of the Sphinx. For photos of Leo Rullman in action see the May, 1945 Juggler's Bulletin.
This scribe was ticked pink to get that sub from Joe Cook. A photo of the old Joe Cook and Brother act appeared in the Aug. '45 issue. Near as we can remember Joe started in on amateur nights, made the big-time, then on up into legit, radio, etc.- all because of his inherent talent for concocting screwy gags and situations from whomever or whatever was at hand. We'll have a Remember When on him later. We feel proud to have such an outstanding figure from Vaudeville on our subscription list. Welcome Joe, and thanks a million.
Arthur Mann, the new Chicago dealer also sends along a check for 3 bucks and inquires about prices for an ad in the B. Arthur makes juggling props- fire sticks, clubs, lariats, rolling globes, and props to order. Arthur writes that his nephew Bernard Mann (Pvt. Bernard Maus) was killed in action four miles inside Germany, Dec. 6th, 1944 with the 414 Inf., 104th Div. Arthur writes, "We always called Bernard our boy as he was from the Maus family and he was the last boy to work for me. After his death I gave up show business which I had been in for 50 years. The Maus (Dayton) family came to this country from England in 1914, a troupe of 12 risley acrobats. As it was difficult to book such a big act at that time the oldest brothers went out for themselves under various names." Arthur sends a copy of the Feb. 16th, '44 Timberwolf, Bernard's division paper, with cuts and story on Bernard before going overseas. Pics show him doing One-hand stand, club juggling on globe and tight wire walking, and to quote, "Little Bernard, his brothers and sisters and uncles all donned the spangles and undertook to amaze audiences with various feats of dexterity and physical daring such as juggling, wire work, and acrobatics. When he was 13 his father died and Bernard joined his uncle Arthur in a theatrical career in circuses, fairs, vaudeville, night clubs, the Worlds Fair, etc." So it's Taps for another juggler; a young soldier and performer from a fine old family troupe. And let's not forget Johnny Ray and Bob Ripa who also lost their lives in the war. Will readers who knew these men send something for the record?
The Annual Award idea has been shelved. Bob Blau heading for D.C. instead of St. Louis, sez he enjoyed tossing 'em around with the Elgins in Houston. New sub and juggling fan Charlton F. Chute sends in a cover-up gag, "You see, I carry my own scenery. That was one of the drops." L. Verne Slout writes he wants some one to change for a week on his tent rep show. If you want to rattle around in the Stix write him at Vermontville, Mich. Bert Hansen writes he's still doing an act a week in the vet hospitals. Jack Taylor sends another wad of British trade mags. See in The Performer that Paul Wingrave, better known as Rupert Ingalese, (author of juggling, Or How to become a juggler) is doing an act as well as putting reviews in theatres. Jack reports Woodrow back in England. Spud Roberts easing up on M.D.'s orders. Hugh Shepley visited Bobby May back stage and Bobby gave with some socko 5-ball stuff. No word from J.J. How come, jug? Geo. DeMott, Millville, Columbia Co., Pa., out with a slick juggling circular. He submits one for the:
REMEMR WHEN DEPT: Remember when Eb Murdock did baton spinning with 5 batons? Eb was owner and mgr. of Murdock Bros. Show, a rep and vaude tenter. To spin 5 he sat on chair spinning 2 with his feet 2 in his hands and 1 on top of baton balanced on forehead. (does the above solve the mystery of the vanishing Murdock Bros. in Tom Breen's "Juggling Firsts" last month?).
That great Chinese juggler and philosopher, Fling Tings Hi, once said "No misse, no droppe." Adios.