The Beatles 1964
'Jugglers and Acrobats' film
by Pete Clemons
Those with long memories will remember, when visiting the cinema, that in addition to the main event you also had a support film. At least that's how I remember it. On more recent visits to the cinema I have noticed that you only seem to get the feature presentation.
Back in 1964 a short film was made especially to accompany The Beatles film 'A Hard Day's Night'. And that warm up film was called 'Jugglers and Acrobats'.
'Jugglers and Acrobats' featured a young Coventry man. The then 20 year old Paul Fox. A professional juggler, Paul learned his trade from his father, popular Coventry entertainer Winston Foxwell at an early age.
And this had not been Paul's first film part – he played with Dirk Bogarde in 'The Password is Courage' when he had a small role as a juggler.
Along with his father Paul made the short film which will be shown on the Rank circuit in support of The Beatles film. And this included the Coventry Gaumont.
This is how 'Jugglers and Acrobats' was more recently reviewed:
Harold Baim takes another look at a slice of life and even back in 1964 he felt that the variety circuit was maybe not as vibrant as it once was and looked at the dying arts of juggling, acrobatics, spinning plates and uni-cycling.
This film was made to accompany the cinema distribution of the first Beatles film 'A Hard Days Night'. It shows some of last jugglers and acrobats from the Variety Circuit.
The film has a script as some of the performers are learning the basics when they are actually accomplished performers some of whom have been practising their art since they were children, others learning skills that were passed down through generation of circus performers.
You could not help marvel at some of the performers like Veronica Martell who juggles at great speed but also does an amazing hat flip routine.
The circus is still going but variety clubs have declined and here is a chance to see these performers display their circus skills.
How different from puppets are the Juggles and Acrobats who practise year after year to reach a pitch of perfection and proficiency. Winston Foxwell teaches his son Paul the rudiments of the craft. It's hard work for both of them. The boy just doesn't seem to catch on at all. Much to the dismay and disgust of his father. Young Foxwell, or 'Fox' as he is professionally known, has to learn that if at first you don't succeed then in this particular business it really is a case of try, try again. The concentration demanded is head breaking. Dad's patience becomes exhausted. Without the watchful eye of his old man, he may do a little better. He does a little more than better.
Winston Foxwell, master manipulator, taught his son Paul. Winston Foxwell describes juggling as 'the propelling of one of more solid objects through the air so skilfully that none of the fall to the ground'. I'd say easier said than done. This boy is really something; only twenty-one now but one day he'll be the greatest, of that there is no doubt.
Today jugglers and acrobats are unfortunately becoming harder to find. There are those who strive hard to keep the ancient art alive. And I for one hope they will never entirely disappear from the scene.
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