Traveling Carnival History, American Circus History, Sideshow History, and more . . .

Old Carnival Photos, Carnival History, Circus History, Traveling Shows

Magic Acts

Magicians Hilliar and Houdini

Midway Magic Acts – Houdini and Hilliar Were Great Friends  William J. Hilliar was a magician and author who edited Billboard‘s “Magic and Magicians” page for many years. He was also close friends with Houdini. “That friendship will always stand out as one of the dominating factors in my life,” said Hilliar. In 1933, Hilliar […]

Carnivals

HAROLD A. BUSHEA

Early Carnival Contracting Agent, Manager, and General Director Harold A. Bushea belongs among the important figures of the formative American traveling midway not because his name appeared above the title of a famous carnival, but because he helped make the organization behind one of those early carnivals work. Before entering the carnival business, Bushea was […]

Carnival Movies

Showbiz And The Big Screen

Hollywood And The Midway Movies Come To The Tented World If you’re like me, you love old films that have anything to do with ‘The Biz’. Victor Mature is great in the 1959 classic: The Big Circus which is an example of a little known Hollywood gem. Elvis Presley in Roustabout features colorful scenes from the […]