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The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Marilyn Monroe stole the show at the 1955 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus opening in Madison Square Garden by riding a painted red elephant while dressed in a leotard, drawing massive applause from 18,000 fans. The event benefited the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation, featuring Milton Berle as ringmaster.
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At Circus Opening
NEW YORK. (P) The band stopped playing at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night and 18,000 circus fans held their breath. Then they exploded into tumultuous applause.
It was not a tight-rope artist or a smart equestrienne that stole the show in the 1955 circus opening.
Movie Queen Marilyn Monroe rode into the sawdust arena on top of a huge elephant which was painted bright red for the occasion. She wore a specially designed black and white leotard (form-fitting circus costume) and black net stockings, and she blew kisses left and right.
The cavernous Garden, with its maze of ropes and guy wires suspended from the rafters, nearly shook from the ovation.
Then the band picked up again and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth" went on.
The opening night attraction this year was the "dream circus," produced by Showman Mike Todd for the benefit of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation.
It featured Comedian Milton Berle as the ringmaster and a number of other television and film greats, led by blonde Miss Monroe on her pink elephant.
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Location
Madison Square Garden, New York
Event Date
Wednesday Night In 1955
Story Details
Marilyn Monroe rides a painted red elephant into the arena at the 1955 circus opening, stealing the show with her appearance in a leotard and drawing huge applause from 18,000 fans. The event is a benefit 'dream circus' produced by Mike Todd with Milton Berle as ringmaster.