Flashback

 (Second of two parts)

 

Veteran juggler and magician Bob Blau of Pearland, Tex., sat down to write about

some "gone-but-not-forgotten" juggling acts he saw during his own 50-plus years of entertaining. The list includes some familiar names and some obscure ones. But, told. in the inimitable style of an eyewitness to the age of Vaudeville, Blau's short descriptions carry warmth and truth.

 

So, here are a few memories from an old-timer for the large majority of us who will never enjoy the delight of walking into an Orpheum, Pantages or Gus Sun Vaudeville theatre every day to see another talented juggler perform...

 

Ben Beri: The greatest with non-stop comedy, and flawless club and ball work. Comedy and technique without a spoken word! His several tours with Gene Krupa's band had to be tops in sound effects and music timing. Resin string and whistle effects by Krupa brought down the house for Beri. Ben was also in great demand by the circuit of class hotel show rooms. Only a good friend like Ben could talk me out of my only copy of the rare Van Wyck illustrated catalog. I can't complain because he once gave me five of his practice clubs that he and his son used at their New York home!

 

Nichols-Nelson Troupe: This troupe of eight juggled only hoops, wooden bicycle rims in 17- and 21-inch diameter in snow-white enamel. Their formation juggling of up to eight people was eye­catching to say the least. The air was usually full of hoops. Their rolling and spinning control on floor patterns was uncanny. No stage in the country was too large for this group to hold the attention of the audience. When the Nichols-Nelson Troupe disbanded, Howard Nichols carried on as a solo act, doing everything in the book with large hoops. He scored big with the crowd-pleasing reverse spin. He would shoot a hoop fast across the stage, where it would momentarily skid to a stop before reversing itself, turn in a small circle and neatly roll through the wing. Another favorite was aiming the hoop at a small Indian wigwam at the other side of the stage. The hoop would come to a grinding halt just as it reached the front door of the tent and then tip over to just the right angle to carry it completely around the tent and roll in the loose flap door. The big finish was sending a succession of hoops to the tent, where they followed one another around the tent and through the door.

 

Gaston Palmer: A Frenchman who was booked quite often for Vaudeville tours

in America. A lot of off-beat stuff with hats, balls and billiard cues. Balanced cues in various positions and did a toss­up of a cue to turn and land on the end of a cue that is balanced on his head.  Balanced cue has a flared socket to catch the second cue, but I'm sure this trick wasn't easy.

 

Carl Thorson: "The Heavyweight Juggler:" There were only a few doing this type of act and Carl was one of the best doing a single. He juggled three full-size steel cannon balls and for effect would drop one on a large slab of metal on the floor. Also at another spot was a heavy square of wood. Both drops made a noise that proved the balls weighed at least a ton! Balancing the cannon ball it­self on his forehead didn't look easy, brother! Finale was the arm rolls and the neck catch and dropping the ball to the floor with the usual noisy landing.

 

Bill Talent: Incidentally, the name Bill used on stage was his mother's maiden name. His real name escapes me at the moment but evidently it didn't sound as funny as "talent!" Bill had the appearance of a matinee idol, but was a real down-to-earth guy and well liked in show biz. Bill did a smooth, well-routined act with balls, clubs and rings. He also did a showy juggle with four and five small, varicolored sofa pillows.