Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
While working at the World's Fair in 1933, Lewiston was approached by Clyde Ingalls and hired to work at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus the following year. He started in the sideshow ticket booth and the bally stand next to it in 1934, but was promoted as Ingalls' chief assistant on his second day. Lewiston also served as the sideshow pay master, and did special announcements. In his autobiography, he proudly notes that he adapted the circus slogan, coining the phrase "The Greatest Side Show On Earth." While the circus was closed that winter, Lewiston and Rose did their duo mindreading act for the Gus Sun Circuit.
In 1935, Lewiston started at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opening at Madison Square Garden, where he directed the "Parade of the Freaks" from the center ring / hippodrome. Billboard noted that he was "assistant manager of Clyde Ingalls' Side Show" and "has been alternating with latter on big show announcements," meaning that Lewiston was the chief announcer for the main circus acts, not just the sideshow. The magazine also noted that Lewiston would "also present a mental act on road tour," which was a first for that circus; Ringling Bros. had previously distanced itself from acts traditionally associated with defrauding the public. Rose was hired to perform as "Madam Zindra," the circus' first-ever mentalist. The couple continued to work with this circus for the next two years.
Read more about this topic: Harry Lewiston
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