An enjoyably silly circus special (see
E81). In a bit of scheduling fun, this live show takes place at the same time that the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is performing live down the street at Madison Square Garden. Ringmaster Bev Kelley and clown Emmett Kelly perform throughout the
program. Francis Beverly Kelley is not
typically associated with the ringmaster role.
He was better known as the publicity manager for the circus. He served the organization from
1930 into the 1970s. Emmett Kelly’s
autobiography, called simply Clown (Prentice-Hall 1954), was cowritten
by Kelley.
Special guest George Gobel: “I have a dirty bird backstage”
Despite the circus theme, Lonesome George has the first secret. Gobel's self-titled variety series (1954-1960) had debuted last fall, and was off to a strong start. In fact, Gobel is in New York to pick up a Peabody Award. One of his catchphrases on that television
program was, “Well I’ll be a dirty bird,” and Secret decided to build his secret
around it. Except that he never answers a single question, leaving the stage to return again later.
Circus tumbling act The Whirlwinds: "One of us will marry Emmett Kelly tomorrow"
The Whirlwinds are a quartet of young German women, who perform briefly before their game. Tomorrow, the 56-year-old Kelly will marry 22-year-old Elvira Gebhardt. This is the third marriage for Kelly, and the most successful. It would last until his death in 1979.
Snake charmer Josephine and "Sally": "I'm putting a live python around Garry Moore"
Sally is the snake. Senorita Josephine Martinez Rosal of Mexico, known professionally by the single name, has been with the circus since at least 1940. The panelists don elaborate circus-themed masks.
Special guest George Gobel returns: “My
dirty bird is still backstage...and it's getting dirtier”
Gobel enters as Josephine leaves, and he's carrying a long leash. For the second time, he leaves the stage before a single question can be asked.
Clown Paul Jung: "We're making a clown out of Henry Morgan"
Jung is introduced as a “producing clown,” which means he is responsible for creating the acts and routines
done by the other clowns in the circus. "We" are Jung's clown cohorts Emmett Kelly, Otto Griebling and Charlie Bell, who have taken Henry backstage. All four are legends of the circus world. Bell, the oldest of the quartet (he's nearly 70 here), would retire in 1956.
All the clowns, including Gobel, return for a final bow. Gobel is carrying his "dirty bird," a plastic duck. Unknown to the audience, either in the studio or at home, is that Gobel's bird was originally planned to be a live flamingo. The flamingo couldn't handle the slippery floor or the bright lights of the studio, and for safety was kept backstage.
