This set of photos was taken by Vern Orton, a member of The Sensational Ortons, from around 1953-1955. The acrobat team of Vern and Dorrie Orton were based in Texas. They travelled to various circuses, including trips to the UK and continental Europe.
Before becoming ‘sensational’, the Ortons were the Aerial Ortons, a trapeze act performing a 12 minute routine on 90-foot high double perch rigging at circuses and shows.
One advert told punters: “Performing their sensational trapeze act climaxing with both lady and gentleman in daring handstands atop the swaying poles. Spectacular lighting effects using over 250 colored lights for evening performances. Nothing too big, nothing too small. Permanent address: Adel, Iowa.”
Vern Orton took these Kodachrome photographs between 1953 and 1955.
Gainesville Circus, Texas
You can watch a short film about Vernon Orton (nee Liedtke), narrated by his daughter Dixie Ness.
Gainesville Circus, Texas
Gainesville Circus, Texas
Gainesville Circus, Texas
Christiani Bros. Circus, 1956
Teddy Snowcrop. 1954
King Brothers Circus, Norwood, Mass. 1954
The Bill Lynch Shows, 1956
Idlewild Park, 1954
R.B.Circus act
Dallas, Texas 1954 – This is how they hauled all the rigging for their Aerial act
Dorrie Orton in the Trailer, Dallas, Texas, 1951
The Ortons’ truck and trailer
Professor George Keller, 1954 – The George Keller Animal Show
Professor George Keller, 1954
Sharkey the Seal, and Billy Roe,1954
Sharkey the Seal, and Billy Roe,1954
Dorrie Orton and Billy Roe, 1954
Adia, at the Police Circus, Union City, NJ – 1954
Slivvers the Clown, 1954
Slivvers the Clown, 1954
Les Hildalys, 1954
The Sky Kings-Bill and Doug
The Simru Duo, “Peaches and Simmie”, Endicott, NY 1954
Hollywood Hell Drivers
The Milos, 1954
Dorrie Orton, Teddy and Dickey, 1954
Ford Orton, 1956
The Back Yard, Lamberti and Condors,1954
Adrian and Charlie, 1954
The Dormans, 1954
Shirley, Dorrie Orton, and Gracie at the Kelly-Miller Circus, 1954
Southampton, England 1954
Dorrie Orton and Ford Orton aboard the Queen Elizabeth, 1955
Main Entrance, Lancaster, England – 1952
Olympia, London, 1955
Bertram Mills Circus, Cambridge, 1953
Services at Grimaldi’s grave, London, 1950
Loading car at Newcastle to go to Oslo, 1955
Gainesville Circus, Texas
Via: Doug Price on Flickr
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