Harry Deems Dann (October 2, 1922 – December 30, 1970)
Harry Dann was one of the most iconic clowns of the middle 20th Century.
On October 2, 1922, Harry Deems Dann was born to St. Louis Missouri banker William J. Dann and his wife, Beatrice Deems Dann.
In 1941, Harry was an apprentice first of May to the Ringling Brothers circus, over his banker father’s protests.
“On the Ringling show and in later years for other circuses he clowned with his peers Kellogg, The Sherman Bros. (Chester & Joe), Freddy Freeman, and Paul Jung. A graduate of University City High School in University City Missouri, he coached the circus children daily in their school work, and off-season at winter quarters served as high school teacher for them throughout his career. He left Ringling after eight years to clown with Louis Stern’s smaller Polack Bros. circus, popular with performers for its more comfortable indoor Shrine-sponsored dates.”
Circuses and Sideshows
In 1949, Harry Dan left the Ringling Brothers circus to clown with Louis Stern’s smaller Polack Brothers circus. It was popular with performers for its more comfortable indoor Shrine-sponsored dates. From 1949 to1959, he clowned with them.
“Dann stayed on Polack as one of its star clowns through 1959, then alternating seasons on the tented Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, and family-owned Cristiani Bros. Circus.”
Harry was the envy of many of his famous clowns, thanks to the costumes made by his seamstress mother. Sadly, in 1954 she passed away
In 1966, Harry Dann clowned with the Carson and Barnes circus. Sometime around 1968, Harry retired his clown character. He felt that, due to his age, his clown makeup simply didn’t “work” anymore. He continued performing as sideshow talker and ringmaster until his death.
In rapidly-declining health, on December 29, 1970, he was rushed by ambulance from Carson and Barnes winter quarters in Hugo, Oklahoma to De Paul Hospital in St. Louis Missouri. The following day, he passed away.
Clown Gags
Snake in a basket
Harry Dann created the now well-known routine where a clown would walk around with a basket, with one arm manipulating a snake puppet inside. The puppet would pop out, “scare” the clown, kiss him on the nose, and disappear back inside the basket. It’s well known for walkarounds, parades, etc. In addition, since Harry’s original design, there have been many alternatives, such as a bunny in a hat, etc.
Carrying the mermaid
Another classic clown gag, much imitated and copied, is the sailor carrying around a mermaid. The sailor’s legs are the clown, while the mermaid’s upper torso is the clown in a wig, etc. The sailor’s head and arms are dummies. This has been copied to be (for example) a man riding a shark, or a dragon, a unicorn, etc. Harry Dann created this with fellow clown and collaborator Bobby Kellogg during their years with the Ringling Brothers circus.
Trivia
- Talented trombone player, who performed with multiple clown bands over the years.
- Trained both ducks and dogs for his acts.
- Bill Ballantine chose to honor Harry with using his drawing of Harry’s trunk as the central image on his Clown College diplomas.-Greg DeSanto (Pat Cashin’s Clown Alley)
Given the title of “America’s Picture Clown”, by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus publicist Roland Butler. He was referring to Harry Dann’s popularity with press photographers visiting the circus.