Hi All,
Remember if you ever get the chance to step inside a "Top" on a Sideshow, they make there money on the "Tip". That's the crowd that gathers in front of the Sideshow to hear the outside talker's bally.
They watch the free exhibition on the bally platform, and listen to the talker. If he is convincing enough, he can "turn the tip", Which is getting them to buy tickets and go in to see the show. When the tip has been turned by a talker's opening, it is said that he has "Cleaned the Midway".
Once your on the inside. The different acts would sale their pitch, things like Magic Packs, Photo's, Giant Rings (by the way was one of the best sellers) and a world of other pitch items. In the past the management of the fair, circus, or carnival would take a percentage of the gate. Everything on the inside would stay with the acts and management of the Sideshow.
At the end of the performance most sideshows had a blowoff which was and extra added attraction. It could be a Half and Half, Pin Head, Pickled Punks or Bouncer, Fat Lady or what ever the Showman thought would draw a crowd. It would be pitched by the inside lecturer and there would be an extra charge to see it.
"O.K. BOYS, THIS IS HOW IT WORKS. THE FAT LADY IS GONNA GO BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND ANY OF YOU WHO WANNA GO WITH HER CAN GIVE ME A DOLLAR AND FOLLOW ALONG. SHE'S GONNA SIT IN A CHAIR, SHE'S GONNA LIFT UP HER DRESS, AND.....follow the link to the blowoff......to read the rest of the story.
http://www.knddesign.com/sc/tgoddingemhard.html I've heard it said that in the early part of the 20th century the gate price was 50 cents, if a person bought and seen everything they could before they went out the back door it would cost them $6.50.
Then it starts all over again. Step Right this Way, Move in a Little Closer, See the Mule Faced Women, the Giant Snakes that can Crush a Human and Swallow them Whole. See the Pygmies from Darkest Africa. Right Here. Right Now on the Inside!!
There are very few large traveling Sideshows on the road today.
There's many reason for the end of the Sideshow as they were.
One is the do gooder's that don't believe that folks should exhibit themselves and that showmen might be exploiting the "FREAKS" which are the Royalty of the Sideshow.
Many folks that worked the Sideshows made a lot of money, in a world and time where most people with disabilities couldn't find employment. They could make a good living and work in a business they loved. Retiring to Homes, Camps and businesses which they bought with the money they made on the road.
Isn't it a matter of choice? In todays world, there is still a lot of money to be made. But the cost of taking a show on the road with insurance, fuel, paying the nut and all of the other cost make it some what prohibitive.
Another problem, you don't need to go very far to be shocked and amazed in todays world. You have sideshow right on your TV screen. Jerry Springer, reality TV, Etc. Etc. Etc. People have come to expect more.
But I still love the show.I love to walk down the Midway, see the Great Banner lines, meet the people that make their living in the top. I miss it, I know many of the folks that have been there miss it also.
But there are still those that perform and carry on the traditions of the Sideshow. You can see them in clubs, on fair ground, and even on the Midway of todays carnivals. But most of the Larger shows have gone.
Todd Robbins has taken his Carnival Knowledge on the road. Ken Harck, Joe Strong Blue Monkey, Pickled Brothers and a few others are keeping the tradition of the Great Shows Alive.
http://www.knddesign.com/sc/tgodrevenge.html Remember, It's Always Alive on the Inside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Step Right this Way, Move in a little Closer, See What Your Family and Friends are Talking about, It's Right Here, It's Right Now!