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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
Jay Marshall is gone. He passed away yesterday afternoon. He had been seriously ill for a few weeks. He was a great man and knew more about show business than anyone I have ever met.
He knew about the sideshow. I have his Blade Box. It was used by in the 1950s at the sideshow in Riverview Park. One time, when I was visiting him in Chicago, he surpised me. He brought out an old Kelty photo of a circus sideshow. There his was, front and center. I asked him, "When did you work a sideshow?" He said, "Never." And then went into the story of how the photo came to be. It was the late 1930s. He had been doing a gig in Washington DC. He was driving back to New York and stopped off to see Al Flosso in Delware. Flosso was running the sideshow for a circus. It was late morning when he got to the lot. The cast was assembled in front of the bally stage with Kelty setting up the shot. Flosso walked over to Jay and said, "Here, put this on" and handed him a cumberbund bedecked with rhinestones. Jay put it on and joined Flosso and the rest of cast. The photo was taken. Jay took off the cumberbund, talked to Flosso for a while and then continued his trek back to NY. More than 60 years later, Jay lived up to that photo by working a gig with Ken Harck's Bros. Grimm Sideshow. Jay is now gone and an era of show business is over. |
Eric Starkey Regular user Pittsburgh, PA 180 Posts |
Todd,
Thanks for sharing the Jay Marshall sideshow story. I have heard many great Jay stories over the years - hopefully others will share their tales as well. The world of magic has lost a true legend. He will be sorely missed. Eric |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Another of the legends of Magic pass on! The world is a lesser place with him gone.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
Jay will indeed be missed!
He knew about the sideshow. I have his Blade Box. It was used by in the 1950s at the sideshow in Riverview Park. I was a ride manager at Riverview about 1953. Beautiful then... Slim
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
Slim,
Did Ray Marsh Brydon have the sideshow then or was is Dick Best? |
ScottL New user 35 Posts |
I had the pleasure of meeting Jay numerous times (I even changed out a circuit breaker for him once at Magic Inc.!). He was a really cool guy who had some outstanding stories to tell. They don't make many like him anymore, that's for sure. He (and Lefty, of course!) will be missed.
Slim, you worked at Riverview? Way cool! My grandfather worked there from 1932 until the day the park closed in 1968. Maybe you ran into him at some point. His name was Murphy Long. He was the park upholsterer. I used to work for Marshall Brodien, who also got his start at Riverview. Scott |
Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
I have to confess I don't remember the name...
Slim
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
ScottL New user 35 Posts |
No biggie. As big a "character" as he was at the park, I'm sure he didn't know everybody who worked there.
Sorry to steer things off-topic. I certainly didn't want to take anything away from Jay. I spent WAY too much time hanging out at Magic Inc. on Saturdays. Scott |
MattTheKnife Veteran user 356 Posts |
This is indeed a sad passing of a wonderful man.
-Matthew |
Freak Prodigy Inner circle NYC & LA 1805 Posts |
You know, life is sad when you are a young performer...you hear all about these wonderful people like Johnny Eck, and Jay Marshall,and Melvin Burkhart (among many others) and then they are just gone one day, all of their knowledge and talent just vanishes like a silk in a thumb tip.
Vaudeville has been dying for a long time and with the passing of Jay it may have died completely. It is up to performers like me to bring it back to life and bring vaudeville back to the public, I may only be 16 but I've got my whole life ahead of me. bye bye Jay Brett Loudermilk
Blog:
http://www.bloudermilk.blogspot.com _________________________________________ E-mail: BrettELoudermilk@gmail.com |
The Village Idiots Elite user Orlando 464 Posts |
Let's not steer off course.
How many Blade boxes did this man have? I'm sorry. I am the type to giggle at funerals and other inappropriate times. The family clown if you will. I hate to hear of any great showman's passing. Whether I knew him or not. GREAT showman are few and far. I never knew Jay Marshall. Wish I had. H E W hockey sticks (I love loop holes) I wish I have met many of you that hang out here. I think, little partial, it's the best topic on this site. p.s. Vaudeville is now called Cruise Ships
Some are born idiots.
Some are made idiots. Some have idiocy thrust upon them. |
StuBeck New user 69 Posts |
Years ago at the Abbott's Get-Together, Mac King relayed a story while MC'ing that he used to be under the stage, or backstage when Jay was performing. He said: "I don't want to make Jay feel old by me telling this story but...Jay IS old!" Jay then came on and performed Lefty...great night.
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
Jay had one Blade Box and now I have it. I also have the Blade Box what was used on the Kelley/Sutton sideshow that was with the James E. Strates carnival.
On a related note, when I kick, at my funeral I want an open coffin and a showman to do a pitch and charge everyone a buck to see me in the box. |
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
I volunteer.
oops...I forgot...you'll outlive me...oh well.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Freak Prodigy Inner circle NYC & LA 1805 Posts |
Then I could!
I need work anyway!
Blog:
http://www.bloudermilk.blogspot.com _________________________________________ E-mail: BrettELoudermilk@gmail.com |
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