Cole Bros. Circus, Los Angeles, 1946 Tour

Once the circus train has arrived, and parked on a siding somewhere on the rail yard, the unloading of equipment starts, and the many cars and wagons be moved, often horse drawn, to the circus grounds. The first car to go is car #103, with the center poles. Many workers are already busy, doing all sorts of work, preparing the grounds awaiting the equipment. Cars and wagons be placed in strategic locations, and be unpacked. The six center poles are being raised and a stake driver (machine) and men (with sledge hammers) drive down stakes which will anchor the big top. After the center poles gone up, canvas men unroll the pieces of canvas, spread them out and lace the 12 sections together while at least six elephants wait patiently in the back. The big top is put up with the help of good old fashioned muscle work. Many men and boys pull to lift the heavy canvas.
The circus is ready for business!
Watch the balloon man selling balloons, the kitchen crew preparing food, suppliers delivering their products (incl. Coca Cola), while ladies wash clothes and clowns prepare for the big show!
Follow the crew while they are preparing for a Parade and artists, animals, wagons and displays are leaving the circus ground for the typical Cole Bros. Circus Parade.
10 Days! September 27-30 - October 1-6 - Los Angeles, CA
Learn more: www.circushisto...
OTTO GRIEBLING
Prolific and influential Master Clown with the Cole Bros. and Ringling circuses. The single most admired and respected American circus clown of the 20th century. Otto Griebling (April 28, 1896 - April 19, 1972) was a German-born circus clown who performed for many years with the Cole Brothers and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circuses. He was one of four clowns given the title Master Clown by Irvin Feld.
Griebling war ein Star des Cole Bros. Circus (von 1935 bis 1950) und (ab 1951) Ringling Bros. und Barnum and Bailey Circus.
In seinen späten Jahren gab er Unterricht an den ersten Klassen der Ringling Bros. And Barnum and Bailey Clown College.
Learn more: www.clown-museu....
''46 COLE BROS TOUR CAME TO A CLOSE
The season as a whole was described by owner Zack Terrell as ''highly satisfactory''. Business was summarized as very big ate the beginning, spotty in the mid-season, and good in the home stretch.
Kicking off April 18 with a four day stand at Louisville, show was out 212 days, played 154 cities in 21 states and gave a total of 390 performances. (The Billboard, November 23, 1946, page 62)
HEAVY LOSS FROM STRIKES
Of the four railroad shows out this year, Cole Bros. took the worst belting from the coal and railroad strikes of last spring. Thirteen days' billing was lost in the rerouting made necessary by the coal strike and two as a result of the rail strike. When the coal strike was about to tie up steam roads, the show bypassed Hamilton, O, May 10, and jumped into Cincinnati a day ahead of schedule and had to lay idle four days the following week at Lexington, KY, before Diesel power came to the rescue.
The actual Tour totaled 12.590 Miles, which was increased by the home run to 13.119. In all, 40 different railroads were used. Shortest run was six Miles, from Redwood City to Palo Alto, Calif.
Longest was 350 miles, from San Bernardino, Calif., to Phoenix AZ. (The Billboard, November 23, 1946, page 62)
Baldwin Steam locomotive #2546, Southern Pacific, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department, Bradleys Pies, Cole Bros. Circus, the Victory Tour, 1946
Patricia Parroff, Horace Laird, Otto Griebling
Once again, thanks to my fellow circus historians Lane Talburt and Bob Kline