Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Route Book, 1944

From: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows. Route, Personnel and Statistics for the Season of 1944. Sarasota, FL: J. C. Johnson, 1944. Program, staff & performers. This edition did not include the day-by-day details of the route. The route for this year can be found on the Routes page. Not included here are the photographs. Permission to place the information from this route book on the Circus Historical Society website has been provided by Feld Entertainment, Inc.™, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey™. Circus World Museum's Parkinson Library provided the photocopy of this route book. All information should be checked with additional sources. There will be spelling and typographical errors.

The Show Goes On

The story of the Big Show's 1944 tour is truly "one for the book" and, in many respects, its facts are the most unusual that a circus annual has printed since "type first kissed paper."

The Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, brighter and gayer than ever, got away to a flying start this year.

From the outset, all indications pointed to a season of success and happy trouping.

Right off the bat, when it inaugurated its annual spring engagement in Madison Square Garden, the show upset tradition by giving New York's opening nighters a performance of such flawless precision and speed that it ended exactly on time, instead of running on and on into the wee hours.

This welcome innovation was in no way accidental.

Determined to give this year's first night audience a "letter-perfect" performance, Robert Ringling ignored precedent and departed from the custom of assembling the show in New York for eleventh hour rehearsals and then opening "cold" in the Big Town.

Instead, he called the entire production staff, performing personnel and the musicians to the circus winter quarters in Sarasota, Florida, well in advance for weeks of intensive rehearsing and practice.

With its talent schooled as it had never been schooled before, the circus, for the first time in its career, gave a two-performance preview under canvas prior to its metropolitan premiere.

These showings, full and complete in every detail, with the entire proceeds going to charities, were given on March 26 in Sarasota.

In New York, this year's phenomenal 46 1/2 day run established new records for attendance and the length of the engagement. Moving to Boston Garden for two weeks, the show was favored with banner business. Then, in Philadelphia, where the circus opened its tour under canvas, a surging human tide poured into the world's largest tent for 10 1/2 days, without cessation.

Swinging back into New England, the show continued in Dame Fortune's good graces until it reached Hartford.

There, on July 5th, following a delayed arrival from Providence, the circus was forced to cancel its afternoon performance. That night the show was well attended.

Like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, the worst disaster in circus history stopped the show in its tracks when fire consumed the big top on Thursday afternoon, July 6th.

Details of the tragedy, which dealt death to 168 persons and injury to scores of the 6,000 spectators, were given front page prominence by newspapers throughout Christendom. With the mammoth main tent and all its voluminous equipment reduced to ashes, many people — some of them circus folk, too — were certain that The Greatest Show on Earth was finished for the season, if not for all time.

With other great tragedies, the Hartford blaze had gone down in history, except for legal settlements to be made, but the circus, despite the frightful wallop that it took, was far from being history.

On the show's credit side was its personnel, badly shaken by the catastrophe and with sixty of its people painfully burned, but intact. And the show also had a $500,000 disaster policy with Lloyds and a special cash reserve of $500,000, with which it made a prompt million dollar down payment on the greater sum it owes the fire's victims and their kin. On July 15th, nine days after the fire, when the show left the city for Sarasota, it didn't do a "run out" on Hartford.

Establishing a local office, James A. Haley, first vice-president of the Big Show, said: "Next to the Hartford people who lost their loved ones in the fire, the circus people themselves feel worst about it. We are going to do everything that it is possible for us to do. We've mortgaged the show's future profits to pay off all just claims to the last cent and until that last cent is paid, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey will have an office here."

Before the circus arrived in Sarasota July 18th, after a 1,528 mile run from Hartford, the management had already formulated plans for its quick return to the road with performances in open air arenas, instead of under canvas, for the balance of the season.

With a big job to be done in the shortest time possible, members of the show's huge personnnel, regardless of vocation, became craftsmen the moment they landed in Florida.

At unfamiliar tasks, they worked like beavers, and rebuilt all equipment that had been destroyed, hastening the day for the circus to open its first tentless engagement.

With the original rings, stages, aerial riggings, arenas, nets, band stand, lights and props in the ruined big top still lying in a fire-twisted mass on Hartford's Barbour St. show grounds, the circus emerged from its winter quarters on the morning of July 30th with spic and span, brand new replacements after eleven hectic working days in Sarasota.

Making a long jump to Akron, Ohio, the Big Show staged a magnificent comeback when it reopened on August 4th and gave colorful proof that it was still very much in business. For three days the rehabilitated circus gave spectacularly beautiful and highly sensational outdoor performances in the city's sky-canopied Rubber Bowl.

How Robert Ringling, Aubrey Haley and Mrs. Charles Ringling, the show's producers, managed to get the circus back on the road in less than a month after the fire and carry on without its big top by giving open air performances in Akron's Rubber Bowl, the U. D. Stadium in Detroit, Chicago's mammoth Soldier Field, and all the fair grounds and baseball parks that followed, is one of the miracles of the age.

It is an amazing tribute to the driving genius of the Big Show's general manager, George W. Smith, and to the courage and industry of the circus people, already renowned for their devotion to the traditional philosophy that "THE SHOW MUST GO ON."

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Ringling Bros. - Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc.

Robert Ringling, President
James A. Haley, First Vice-President & Assistant to the President
Mrs. Charles Ringling, Vice-President
Aubrey B. Haley, Vice-President
William P. Dunn, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer

Directors

Robert Ringling Mrs. Charles Ringling Aubrey B. Haley James A. Haley

William P. Dunn, Jr. John North Major George D. Woods

Executive Staff

George W. Smith, General Manager Edward F. Kelly, Asst. to the Gen. Mgr. Fred C. DeWolfe, Treasurer with Show Karl D. Loos, General Counsel Herbert Duval, Legal Adjuster Roland Butler, General Press Representative

F. Beverly Kelley, Director of Radio Dept. Arthur R. Hopper, Gen. Agt. & Traffic Manager J. R. Griffin, Auditor Pat Valdo, Director Perfomer Personnel Jane Johnson, Secretary to the President

Sarasota, Florida General Offices

J. R. Griffin, Auditor Ethel Keogh Herbert H. Sicks

Vicki Muralli Kathleen Thompson

Hilda Wallen Dale Wyatt

Chicago Office: Dan De Baugh, Rep.

New York Office: Mary Byrne, Rep.

Contracting Agents: William J. Conway, Al Butler

Publicity and Advertising

Press Dept.

Roland Butler, General Press Representative
Allen J. Lester, Don McCloud, Bernie Head

Radio Dept.

F. Beverly Kelley, Director Radio Publicty
Frank L. Morrissey

Outdoor Advertising Dept. and Traffic Dept.

Arthur R. Hopper, General Agent & Traffic Manager
Mrs. Frank L. Morrissey, Secretry
F. A. Boudinot, Assistant General Agent
Clyde Carlton, Special Agent

Advertising Car No. 1

Frank Mahery, Manager William Feigley, Boss Billposter C. Forrest Biggs, Boss Lithographer Thomas Connor, Biller F. J. Crowther, Biller Paul Hale, Biller

Hugh Collins, Biller Thomas Colligan, Biller Joseph Bernstein, Biller E. H. Riche, Biller S. J. Clauson, Biller

James Kennedy, Biller A. E. Outten, Biller J. W. McGowen, Biller L. C. Langhart, Biller Alfred Kehlenbeck, Biller

Advertising Car No. 2

L. S. Connaroe, Manager W. F. Albers, Boss Billposter Pete Murray, Boss Lithographer Frank Coursal, Biller

A. Scharmacher, Biller Arthur Dawson, Biller Harry Mong, Biller William Schmitt, Biller

Leo Loranger, Biller P. J. MacAllister, Biller Glenn Balnkenship, Biller

Advertising Car No. 3

Si Semon, Manager James Long, Banner Squarer

Herbert Goerke, Boss Banner Man S. L. Vogel, Bannerman

Ralph Patterson, Bannerman Frank Batts, Bannerman

Advertising Inspector: E. J. Caupert, La Rue Deitz

Banner Puller: Joseph Brown

24-Hour Men: Walter S. Wappenstein, William L. Carr

Asst. Legal Adjuster: Terence O'Rourke

Chief of Police: John H. Brice

Medical Department: Dr. Joseph H. Bergin; Chas. Hohenschutz, First Aid.

Ticket Wagons

Red Wagon: Theo Forstall, Lloyd Morgan, John Seawell Jr.
White Wagon: Lewis H. Woodruff, Harry Minor
Yellow Wagon: Joseph F. Boyton, Joseph Paul Boyton

Front Door

McCormick Steele, Superintendent Harry Brown William Brown Anthony Carlysle

William Downing Richard Miller Henry Reynolds

Clyde Sellers William Maxwell, Tax Box Larry Davis, Tax Box

Ticket Dept.

Ray A. Marlowe, Superintendent Michael Gradis Fred Harris

Wm. Rhu McKitrick Chas. (Chuck) Gammon

Matthew J. McGowan Thomas Reale

Downtown Ticket Agent: Harry Porter

Time Keepers: Hugh M. Briethaupt, William H. Webster

Big Show Announcer: Arthur L. Springer

Chaufferurs: Harold Nicholson, Wm. B. McLaughlin

Mail Man: William Moser

Performers

Big Show Band

Merle Evans, Conductor

George Oliva, Clarinet and Saxophone James Schlanz, Clarinet and Saxophone Frank Tonar, Clarinet and Saxophone Nick Altroth, Clarinet and Saxophone Tony Ramirez, Clarinet and Saxophone Dick Brown, Clarinet and Saxophone Dan Rickard, Clarinet and Saxophone Joe Browning, Cornet Al Hiltensmith, Cornet Henry Kyes, Cornet Stanley Teachout, Cornet Jack Shelby, Cornet H. C. Werner, Cornet Amos Thompson, Drum Frank Hoffman, Drum Albert Voder, Drum

Joe Colletti, French Horn Ralph Copocco, French Horn Howard Ham, Tubens William Spielberg, Tubens Peter Staluppi, Tubens John Horak, Baritone Clarence Bennett, Baritone Sylvester Larios, Baritone Martin O'Connor, Bass Paul Brake, Bass Stanley Czerwinski, Trombone Andy Grainger, Trombone Bill Omeis, Trombone Harry Grant, Trombone Pete Heaton, Hammond Organ

Side Show

Fred Smythe, Manager
Charles A. Zerm, Assistant
Ticket Sellers: Chas. A. Zerm, Geo, Johnson, Robt. Ellis, Jack Elkins
Lecturer: Judson L. Langill
Ticket Takers: C. D. Smith, John McCarthy
Supt. of Sound Projection: Robt. Lee Brazil

Attractions

Senorita Carmen, Snake Trainer Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, Giant and Giantess Freda Pushnik, Armless and Legless Girl Mo-Lay, Comedy Juggler Miss Patricia, Neon Tube Artist Kutty Singlee, Fire Proof Man Baby Thelma, Fat Girl Egan Twist, Rubber-Armed Man Hanka Kelter, Long Haired Girl

Alex Demeroff, Arabian Gun Spinner Percy Pape, Living Skeleton Nabor Feliz, Pueblo Indian Sculptor Tinytown, World's Smallest Performers Joseph Nawrath, Midget Musician Louise Long, Sword Swallower Jubilee Minstrels, Premier Black-Face Performers South American Troubadors, From Below the Wquator

Tinytown Midgets

Harry Doll, Daisy Doll, Gracie Doll, Tiny Doll

South American Troubadors

Lolita Pombo Tomas Ayala Jose Burgos Josephine Martini

Alicia Blanco Julio Gonzales Rosita Pagan Chiquita Rios

Arthur A. Wright's Band and Minstrels

Wm. Matthews, Clarinet Johnny Brown, Clarinet Clarence Williams, Solo Trumpet Harry K. Franklin, Solo Trumpet Wm. E. Fields, 1st Trumpet Rufus S. Wiggs, 1st Melophone M. O. Russell, 2nd Melophone

Edward Carr, 1st Trombone Homer C. Griffin, 2nd Trombone ben M. Goodall, Baritone Harrison R. Hall, Tuba Andrew Gibbs, Snare Drum Chas. Beecham, BassDrum A. A. Wright, Trumpet, Director

Minstrels

Slim Russell, Comedian Billy Freeman, Comedian Kid Lewis Barton, Comedian

Roy Coleman, Guitar Herman Higgs, Master of Ceremonies

Miller Brothers Concessions

Frank C. Miller, Paul Miller

Jack Harris, Assistant Frank Morris, Purchasing Agent

Bill White, Stock Man Pat Connolly, Personnel

Candy Top

James Mel Hamlin, Manager. Max Miller, Assistant Cashier

Seat Butchers

Eli Drucker Stanley Gregory Jack Golden Vernon Long

James Crumley Tom Lee Smith Ruby Newman Frank Attardi

Ernest Guth Frank Perez Chick Thompson Harry Leagan

Midway Eating Stands: Paul Fisher, Manager. Floyd Hill, Assistant

Circus Diner: Herman Rupp, Philip Orth

Individual Stands

No. 1 — Jas. Brown; Jack Reid, Asst.; Geo. Manago, Porter
No. 2 — Vance Jordan; E. Jefferson, Porter; Chas. Lewis, Wagon Man

Candy Stands

No. 1 — Jake Besser
No. 2 — A. Stryker
No. 3 — F. Morris

Back Yard Stand: Pat Connolly, Mgr.; Bill Coyle, Asst.; Ed Cotton, Porter

Candy Floss Victor Pratt, Manager

Pop Corn: J. Littler, Manager; J. Richards, Asst.

Frozen Delight: E. Meyers, Manager

Novelty Department

Eugene Gutman, Manager Morris Gustow

Charles Allen Willie Miller

Louis Blumenthal Daniel Klein

Program Dept.

Circus Publishing Company
Harry S. Dube, Publisher
Max Tubis, Road Sales Manager
Wm. Lewis, Victor Le Bow, Sam Weisser

Menagerie Dept.

John Sabo, Superintendent Joseph Costa, Assistant Dare Barlow Harland Dunn Jas. A. Moore John Nematz

John Pelkey John J. Rosen Frank Setting Roland Shaw R. F. Soucha

Charles J. Tanner Roy Weaver Fred Wells Roy Bates Joe Cook

Alfred Court's Performing Wild Animal Dept.

Vincent Door, Asst. Superintendent
Wm. H. Madison, Geo. Scott, Thos. E. Wilson

Elephant Dept.

Fred Schafer, Superintendent Vernon Duffy, Assistant Robt. C. Clark, Assistant Richard Shipley, Assistant John Allen William Bennett Lowell Brideson Walter H. Chauvin Louis Clayton

Chester Damon Oliver Davies, Jr. Ralph Fillion Frederick J. Garvey Earl Hammer Arnie W. Honkala Stephen A. Jacyna Roy Jones Bill J. Kuhn

Valentino S. Marra Benjamin Rosen Elmer J. Santana Stanley L. Scheller James Silver Fred A. Stahler James L. Thompson

Ring Stock Dept.

Harrison Johnson, Superintendent Frank Selock, Asst. Roland Simpson, Asst. Fabel Allen Harry Anderson James B. Andrews Andrew L. Baker Willard C. Briggs Harvey Britton Martin Britton William H. Clark George C. Davis

James R. DeCarlo Frank W. DeFransce Vernon B. Enos Frank Flannagan Charles W. Gillis Joseph O. Harnack Donald E. Jackson William Kachelries Bernard Keith George Kelz Richard Kissel Bradford McCarthy

John Miller John J. Moore Frank R. Morrison William F. Murphy James O. Reeves Richard Reilly Brice Rutherford George C. Taylor Oliver Thiemer William Waite William Warnecke Irving S. Young

Mr. and Mrs. Gargantua the Great

Jose Tomas, Superintendent
Harry M. Carter, Air Conditioning
Geo. S. Bacon, Lawrence Baker

Mechanical Dept.

William Yeske, Master Mechanic Charles Chekley Steve Koll

Emil Rhodes Patrick Drohan

Christopher Murtagh Nell Yeske

Light Dept.

Edward R. Versteeg, Superintendent Paul Danousky, Assistant Ward Nath, Assistant Wm. E. Winslow, Assistant Larry Crandall, (Sound) C. A. Boyle A. Celantano L. Ciardello

M. B. Gifford John Hall A. Hallgarth R. Jhonkivich E. M. Kanive E. K. Long Geo. Miller Phil Novell

Robt. Ryan H. C. Smith E. W. Torrence Carol Tucki W. H. Walters A. C. McCullough H. Shindeldecker

Truck and Tractor Dept.

David Blanchfield, Superintendent Edw. E. Curry, Assistant Daniel F. Gill, Assistant Donald Baine, Mechanic Thomas Babich Herbert Bain Foy E. Brake Mark Connelly George Davis Edward L. Dreier

John M. Floyd F. D. Greer, Jr. George J. Knight Joseph P. LeBlond Arthur McCormick Edward J. Malicki Richard Morris George W. Norris Daniel J. Parker Samuel Phillips

Chas. E. Potter, Jr. Kenneth Robbins Clarence Springer Harry Stone, Jr. Eddie Tulppo Charles Van Horne Thomas F. Viola Louis G. Wells Rudolph E. Wojcik

Canvas Dept.

Leonard Aylesworth, Superintendent Walter Bingham, Assistant William Dwyer, Assistant Calvin F. Hart, Assistant John Meek, Assistant Barney Alkonis Horton Banks Harvey Barbeau John Brewer Tom Brown William Caley William F. Case Samuel W. Clark Jermiah Dailey Alvin Gibson Julious Guyton

Eugene Hall Wm. Harrington Henry Harris Mason R. Harris James Hayes Herbert Heywood Caswell Howard Donald T. Jones Henry Jones George Kelley Thomas Leighton Chester Lilly Joseph L. Lloyd Chas. Mitchell Arthur Moyen Elwood Mumbauer

Will Neal John F. O'Hare Wm. H. Peterson Norman Pompey James M. Quigley Lymoine L. Reiff Albert B. Smith Joseph A. Smith Joseph B. Stearns Henry Teyo Donald Thursby Riley Wiggins Andrew Wilson Murry Woods George J. Young

Side Show Canvas Dept.

James Healy, Superintendent Thos. E. Langley, Assistant Clifford C. Bass Helmuth L. Dickau Henry G. Kelly

Joseph M. Lynch William Mansfield Joseph A. Medeiros Robert C. Molander

Gustave Rautenberg Harley C. Rivers Albert R. Smith Floyd Wade

Cook House

George J. Blood, Superintendent Archie Blood, Assistant Charles Landt, Assistant John M. Staley, Assistant Raymond J. Austin Emile Bilodeau Colonel F. Boaz, Jr. Frank Bowen Dewey Brown Preston Burnett Mathew J. Carroll John Casper Robert J. Clemens Thomas B. Crawford George W. Grossman John J. Cunningham Frank Curtis Val Dickerson Richard N. Donker William A. Dunn VanBuren Ealey

Roosevelt Felton Joseph A. Foster George Griffin Ralph M. Hart George J. Hartman Horace Hewlett LeRoy E. Hohbein Merton M. Holbrook Gordon Holloway Nelson B. Kappe Marvin L. Kelsey Irveine Klebe Forrest Lawson Hormisdas LeBlanc Joseph H. Lenz Hulet Lewis John S. McDonald Herbert S. McGee Noli S. Matzulis Willie G. May

Noah Miller George A. Newton Robert Paul Dorso D. Pounds Peter E. Prankunas Nicholas Rock Ben A. Salczynski Joseph Sassano Edward C. Sharrock William R. Shores William C. Simon Charles S. Simpkins Harry G. Thomas George Thompson William Thurston Walter Uchniat Russell Vanorsdale Ferdinand C. Welk Willie Williams John Wilson

Commissary: Joseph Dunn, John White

Property Dept.

Walter Kaner, Superintendent James C. Bradley, Assistant Peter reeth, Assistant Arthur Williams, Assistant Leo Ulinsky, Assistant Raymond W. Adams James A. Adkins Jack J. Barry Willis H. Cason Marvin E. Cooper Gustave A. Cron Arthur Demers Konrad Eggart

Paul M. Haas John W. Kerrigan Edward N. King Harold C. Laughlin Joseph Liberti Helmer E. Lindh Cosimo Marra, Jr. Reuben S. Marsland Arthur C. Mayer Richard Miller Richard W. Miller Harry Moran Alfred Newquist

George J. O'Keefe Lester E. Pahrisch Joseph J. Pilla Lloyd Prather William C. Schappert Joseph Scharick Howard G. Smith Charles Steinbach Frederick H. Whitbeck Wendell G. Wiggins Stanley Wozolek George Yelenchik Mike Zobowa

Train Dept.

Ray Milton, Superintendent Joseph D. Yuhasz, Assistant Ross Roberts, Assistant James Allen Fred Baker William Bloch J. M. Castrovillan Fred C. Clark Edward F. Clarke Edward T. Collins

Joseph Corpstein Oscar Cote Howard W. Craig Ferdinand Foster Kenneth Genious Harry F. Hannon Wallace O. Hill Dale Houston Charles R. Hyvonen Pete Luken

Harold McCoy Tony Marty Frank N. Poland Harry Richart Andrew J. Robinson Charles W. Scott Lester W. Shanks Wilbur D. Trepanier E. P. Valdanbrini Broughton Tucker

Train Electrical Dept.

Joseph Nash, Superintendent. George T. Hill, Assistant

Porters

Edward Gallagher, Superintendent John J. Burke Eason Bynum Ernest F. Firth Ulysses Foreman John W. Givler John Grant Clint W. Hall John B. Hall

Clarence Hatch Charles Hoskins John J. Kalin Karl Krapf Benjamin Lowe James R. McLaren Lillian Merrithew Ervin Moore

Robert R. Nordon John H. Parker Thomas Payne Frank Redmond Herbert Schulze Jack Shaw Eugene Thompson William Turner

Usher Dept.

John M. Carson, Superintendent Michael D'Addario, Assistant Lewis E. Runyan, Assistant Ray Rowan, Assistant John W. A'Hearn Joseph H. Bainbridge Charles Boutilier Harry W. Carey Bernard Friel

Michael J. Gilli William Hines Frank Kaner Thomas R. Kloss Charles E. Land Donald J. Lee Edward T. McAleer John M. Maguire

Harry Marino Alvin F. Miller Walter E. Mock Dennis B. Noonan Sherill Price Cecil M. Roberts Howard Scharman Roy L. Stephens

Utility Men: John T. Howard, William Reynolds

Watchmen: Eugene Patterson, Frank Burgett, Wm. J. Smith

Wardrobe Dept.

Joseph McCarthy, Superintendent William Howard, Assistant Jean P. Carson, Wardrobe Mistress Edythe Bowen, Assistant Margaret Jahn, Assistant Genevieve P. McCarthy, Assistant Ada Mae Moore, Assistant Homer W. Matlock, Tailor Luther Bentrum William J. A'Hearn Elbert Branscum

Ernest T. Brown Earnest E. Bugg Hugh Burgoon Sherwood Crocker James A. Cunningham Elmo Dallas Francis A. Duling John T. Duncan Edward Grodivant Howard H. Gross Russell E. Haas

Hobert W. House Charles H. Kniebbe Udo F. Kurka Joe W. Land Oswald H. Marshall James J. Moriaty William C. Murphy Norwood A. Padgett John E. Sawyer John A. Stoll James Whitman

Boss Painter: George Escalara

Personnel Busses

Willis E. Lawson, Manager; Larry Wilcox, Assistant; Chas. Crandall, Driver

Sanitary Dept.

Robert Swift, Robert Meinhardt, Jacob Reiberg, Joseph Smith

Tent Manufacturing Dept., Sarasota, Florida

Ralph Harding, Superintendent

Sail Makers

Ralph Harding, Floor Foreman. Osmond Osmondson Frank B. Wright J. G. Kicklighter

Vernon Hollis Mike Cunningham George Brown, Helper.

Machine Operators

Mrs. Genevieve P. McCarthy Mrs. Eva D. Harris Mrs. Rosa T. Osmondson

Mrs. Marjone M. Kicklighter Mrs. Corene M.McElreath

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Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 1944 Program

The Greatest Performance Ever Presented by the Greatest Show on Earth. Produced by Robert Ringling, Aubrey Haley, Mrs. Charles Ringling. Staged by Robert Ringling.

Pat Valdo, General Director
Billy Livingston, Art Director
A. A. Ostrander, Technical Director
Bert Knapp, Musical Composer
Fred Bradna, Ringmaster
Joe P. Siegrist, Aerial Director
Merle Evans, Director of Music
Lauretta Jefferson, Dance Director
Phil Fein, Assistant to Mr. Valdo

Display No. 1 - Novel and Highly Amusing Introductory Presentation in Which the Art of Wild Animal Training is Given a Reverse Twist. A Frolicsome Forerunner of the Magnificant Display of Perfectly-Schooled Man-killers Which Immediately Follows.

Display No. 2 - Presented under the direction of Alfred Court, master trainer of the ages. Natural Jungle Enemies Educated Beyong Belief Performing Together in New and Exceptionally Exciting Exhibition. Great New Mixed Groups of the Most Treacherous and Ferocious Wild Animals Ever Assembled. Berber Lions, Abyssinian Lions, Royal Bengal Tigers, Berber Tigers, Siberian Tigers, Polar Bears, Black Bears, Black Jaguars, Sumatran Spotted Leopards, Himalayan Bears, Black Leopards, Pumas, Ocelots, Black Panthers and Great Dane Dogs. Presented by Mr. Court's Famous Wild Animal Educators:

May Kovar, Joseph Walsh, William Storey

Display No. 3 - The Wallendas. The last word in high wire thrillers. New, hazardous and hair raising feats by world acclaimed artists who shake dice with death at dizzy heights.

Display No. 4 - Pre-eminent stars of the saddle, in the most notable display of high school horsemanship ever beheld by mortal eye.

The Ostermaiers, Los Asveras Troupe, The Bradnas.

Display No. 5 - An unparalleled presentation of renowned aerialists in thrilling new offerings.

The Mardons, The Loyals, The De Ocas, Cartier Sisters, Cora Davis, The Wolthings.

Display No. 6 - Capt. Roland Tiebor's Sea Lions. Two companies of inconceivably clever amphibious artists in amazing new accomplishments.

Display No. 7 - Featuring the world famous prince of pantomime, Emmett Kelly. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey present the most magnificent and exhilarating spectable ever created in circus history, "Panto's Paradise." A new and fanciful funfest, lavishly garnished with unprecedented color, beauty and splendor.

Display No. 8 - Lalage, the lovely high priestess of rhythm aloft.

Display No. 9 - Introducing a convulsing congress of the earth's foremost funsters, the famous Ringling clown contingent, with added fun and suspense by Harry Rittely on his tower of toppling tables.

Display No. 10 - Loyal-Repensky Family, the inimitable and incomparable. The greatest bareback riders of the age in new and sensational equestrian feats.

Display No. 11 - The clown Fire House, again by demand of the children, especially those over thirty.

Display No. 12 - Stars of the bounding trampoline and aerial bars in astounding somersaulting flights and catches.

The Del Montes, Adrianna & Charly, The Lopez Trio.

Display No. 13 - Battalion of Buffoons. Another avalanche of fun from the big show's department of tomfoolery.

Display No. 14 - Featurning Victoria, Reitta and Torrence, The Cloud Ballet. Scores of astoundingly accomplished beauties in a breath-taking and sensationally stunning new mid-air ensemble.

Display No. 15 - Three troupes of superb steeds in the most amazing liberty horse display in history. Trained and presented by equine educators of international eminence.

Tex Elmlund, Arturo Konyot, Gordon Orton.

Display No. 16 - The world renowned "White Wingless Pegasus," "Doheos," presented by Albert Ostermaier.

Display No. 17 - Clownville Convention. A hurricane of howling hilarity in which 100 merry masters of the monkeyshine art indulge their exhibitionistic urge.

Display No. 18 - Fearless and peerless mid-air marvels in spectacular flying feats and aerial evolutions.

The Clarkonians, Flying Royals.

Display No. 19 - An exciting equilibristic exhibition in which China's wizards of the wire vie with stars of the Occidental world.

The Brannock Troupe, The Four Skating Macks, The Chinese Naitto Troupe, Reynolds & Donegan Skating Girls, The Karrel Troupe.

Display No. 20 - The Big Show Clowns. A ludicrous wartime demonstration in which the neighborhood club more closely cooperates in "sharing a car" this season.

Display No. 21 - Victoria and Torrence, "The Couple from the Comet." The incarnation of ingenuity and intrepidity - a startlingly beautiful new thriller by the most daring duo that ever disregarded danger.

Display No. 22 - Grand Finale - "The Changing of the Guard." Military maids and mastodons in a stirring closing feature of the Greatest Show on Earth. Huge host of gorgeously garbed girls and elephants in the truly terrific all-new 1944 Edition.

Statistics of the 1944 Tour

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