Kalmbacher, Paul C 1975, 1980

Paul Kalmbacher discusses various aspects of his life with the Roy E. Fox and Harley Sadler tent shows and identifies photographs taken of various traveling shows. Mrs. Kalmbacher comments occasionally.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Paul C. Kalmbacher

Additional Parties Recorded: Mrs. Paul Kalmbacher

Date: June 10, 1975; March 3, 1981

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Interviewer: Clifford Ashby

Length: 2 hours, 35 minutes (total)

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Early life and personal history, Description of Tuttle Olympic Shows, formed by grandfather, Work with Roy E. Fox Show (1909-1910), Roy Fox characterized, History of Harley Sadler’s heart condition, Service in military band during World War I, Work in vaudeville, Other tent shows, Work with Harley Sadler, Anecdote about performance with band, Reason for quitting Sadler show (1933), Rejoining Sadler show (1936), Work with bands in Austin and Waco (1933), Discussion of "The Siege of the Alamo".

Tape 1, Side 2: Working for Roy Fox, Reason for Fox show closing, Harley Sadler exempted from military service because of medical disability, Started as drummer with Harley Sadler show, Photographs identified.

Tape 2, Side 1: Identification of photographs (continued).

Tape 2, Side 2: Further identification of photographs, Father’s contortion act, Contribution to his death, Anecdote about grandfather, A. F. Tuttle.

Tape 3, Side 1: Paul Kalmbacher, Operation, Clark Gable, Anecdote, Harley Sadler show, Actors, Chill Wills, Paul Kalmbacher, Texas Tech Tent Show Collection, Funding, Federal government, Joe McKennon, Daisy Kalmbacher, Paul Kalmbacher, Health.

Tape 3, Side 2: Henry Brunk, Texas Tech University, Tent Show course (1976), Dave Graves, Bob Graves, Harley Sadler Show, Charlie Brunk, advance man, Brunk Show, Reopening (1947), Henry Brunk, Role as "Toby", Tent Shows, Musicians, Ferd Sadler, Al Pitcaithley, Joe McKennon, Texas Tech University, Tent Show, Tent, Builder, Cost, Size, Stage, Touring, Paul Kalmbacher, Paul Thardo, stage name, Harley Sadler Tent Show, "Toby" role, Harley Sadler, Henry Brunk.

Range Dates: 1909-1976

Bulk Dates: 1909-1947

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

---

Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.