Ringling Remembered: Through the Eyes of a Circus Clown

Ringling Remembered: Through the Eyes of a Circus Clown, by Ron Severini

In short, Ringling Remembered is a very readable, very enjoyable story of a clown’s memories of working with the Ringling Brothers circus for many years. Ron Severini was part of the first graduating class of the Ringling Brothers Clown College. Seven years later, he became Dean of the college. Along the way (and many years after) he met many notable circus folk. Some of them are clowns that I’m familiar with, such as: Emmett Kelly Sr., Otto Griebling, Lou Jacobs, Bumpsy Anthony, Prince Paul Alpert, and many more.

He also introduced a variety of other people — non-clowns. Some famous, some virtually unknown. But all of the stories are engaging, and worth reading. Some are funny, and some are heart-breaking. Sometimes at the same time.

How good is it? I actually postponed reading the end of Otto Griebling. It was obvious that he was going to die soon, and I didn’t want to experience it. I never met Otto, although I’ve known of him for a great many years. Ron’s writing made me feel as though I actually knew him, and would miss him … And mourn him. The writing’s that good.

Do I have any negative comments? Only one: I wish it was longer!

Table of Contents

• The Dedication
• The Introduction
• The Early Years
• The Two Bums
• The Good Byes
• The Clown College Diploma
• The College Clown
• The Backstage Gambling
• The Veteran Clown
• The Last Train Ride
• The Producer
• The Ringmaster
• The Tiger Trainer
• The Balancing Bear
• The Clown is Late
• The Train Stops in Nevada
• The Clown Wedding]
• The Five Will Give You Ten
• The Dwarf
• The Kids Work for Peanuts
• The Hundred Dollar Bill
• The Ladies Dressing Room
• The Prop Maker
• The Train Strike
• The Punch Line
• The Clown Car
• The Smallest Man in the World
• Send in the Clowns
• The Negotiation
• The Happiest Man I Ever Met
• The Most Despicable Man I Ever Met
• The Bank Robbery
• The Jimmy Stewart Story
• The Cowboy Story
• The Harvey Milk Story
• The Living Unicorn
• The Master Clown
• The Emmett Kelly Story
• The Doll Clown
• The Greatest Circus Super Star
• The Winter Quarters
• The Historian
• The Human Cannonball Story
• The Duck Joke
• The Circus “Makes Their Nut”
• The 80-Year-Old Female Trapeze Artist
• P. T. Barnum’s Egress
• The Henry Ringling North Quote
• The Mainstream Circus Phrases
• The Ringling Lingo
• Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Clown College
• The Author’s Credentials