|
|
THE SHOW BUSINESS
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
Have you ever heard of Dan Rice? Probably not. But
if you were alive around the middle of the nineteenth century chances
are you would know his name. That's when Dan Rice made his mark
in "the show business." In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge,
the life and times of Dan Rice. And the controversy over the use
of animals in circuses.
SEGMENT 1:
Todd Robbins, "The Coney Island Wonder
Worker," talks with Anne Strainchamps about how he learned
how to safely swallow swords and walk on hot coals. And to prove
his skill, he munches on a lightbulb while they chat. Robbins
emphasizes that although his feats are not tricks, they do involve
learned techniques and that no one should try this at home. Robbins
is the Dean of Coney Island's Sideshow School. You can find out
more about him at http://www.toddrobbins.com.
Also, Benjamin Reiss is the author of "The Showman
and the Slave: Race, Death, and Memory in Barnum's America."
He tells Steve Paulson how P.T. Barnum got his start: exhibiting
an elderly Black woman who claimed to be 161 years old and George
Washington's nanny.
SEGMENT 2:
Janet Davis tells Steve Paulson that controversy
has surrounded the use of animals in the American circus since
the 1890s. She thinks the animal rights camp has had an effect
given the popularity of animal free circuses like Cirque du Soleil,
which may point to the circus of the future. Davis' book is "The
Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top."
SEGMENT 3:
David Carlyon is a former clown for Ringling
Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the author of "Dan
Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard Of." He tells
Jim Fleming that Rice was once considered America's greatest humorist.
He was a talking clown, doing satiric commentary on current events.
He got his start touring with Sybil, the Learned Pig and ultimately
died a drunk.
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 02-06-02-A.
................................................................
Books:
- David Carlyon, Dan Rice: The Most
Famous Man You've Never Heard Of (Public Affairs)
- Janet M. Davis, The Circus Age: Culture
and Society under the American Big Top (University of North
Carolina Press) (not yet released)
- Benjamin Reiss, The Showman And The Slave:
Race, Death, And Memory in Barnum's America
(Harvard University Press)
Music:
- -- "Everyone Comes To The Freak Show"/The
Residents from the CD, "Freak Show Original Soundtrack"
(East Side Digital) http://www.noside.com/Catalog/CatalogAlbum_01.asp?Album_ID=58
- -- "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass"/Nick
Lowe from the CD, "Pure Pop For Now People" (Columbia)
- -- "Hi Henry's Triumphal March" from
the CD, "Clown And Midway Calliope Music Vol. 1" (Marion
Roehl Recordings) http://www.mrrecordings.com
- -- "Thunder And Blazes"/South Shore Concert
Band under the direction of Richard Whitmarsh
from the CD, "Sounds Of The Circus Circus Marches Volume
6" (Whitmarsh Recordings)
http://www.soundsofthecircus.com
- -- "Tiger Rag"/South Shore Concert Band
under the direction of Richard Whitmarsh
from the CD, "Sounds Of The Circus Circus Marches Volume
19" (Whitmarsh Recordings)
http://www.soundsofthecircus.coml
- -- "Breakfast At The Circus"/David Wilcox
from the album, "Breakfast At The Circus" (Capitol-EMI)
- -- "Prestissimo Galop"/Matthew H. Phillips
and his Circus Band from the CD, "Circus Spectacular: The
Band Music of K.L. King" (Vox Classics) http://www.voxcd.com/
- -- "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite" from
the album, "Clown and Midway Calliope Music Vol. 2"
(Marion Roehl Recordings) http://www.mrrecordings.com
Distribution dates:
................................................................
Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
our shows :: about
us :: search :: home
|
