It's Time to climb back into my TARDIS.....
Destination:-EDGBASTON RESERVOIR BIRMINGHAM....
The Year:- 1940!......
The Place:- GALALAND!.....
A pre-War Holiday Leisure Centre since 1905-GALALAND was a Complex at EDGBASTON
RESERVOIR in BIRMINGHAM!-Similar in Format and Range of Attractions to BELLE VUE
in MANCHESTER-Here was a Mecca of Entertainment for cash-strapped and war-weary
Families-An Escape from day-to-day Troubles and Woes!
Amongst the most Popular of these Attractions was Professional Wrestling often Staged on
a SUNDAY-to Maximise Attendance as a non-Working Day!
Top Wrestlers of the Day appeared at GALALAND-and I'm Sharing some of my Fantastic
and Original HANDBILLS/FLYERS for Shows from 1939 and 1940!!-Enjoy!...
In no particular order!.....
MAIN MASK
We know promoters would have us believe any old tosh but it's a good to see when they exceed their own high bar.
Easter Sunday in 1940 was on 24th March. Whit Sunday was 12th May. So this Easter show was the Tuesday after Whit. It does say that at the bottom of the handbill so looks like the printer was a bit confused.
Right you are, see it now.
Carl Stroheim. So many lavish international billings but here's another with a German name and no home country mentioned.
And all this on Sunday mornings!!! Bet the churches were empty!
I wonder how the German Heine Muller was received in wartime?
I've got a new favourite: Angel Face Batten - with his temper! Unusual for a good name not to have been recycled 25 years later. Sounds like the Jim Breaks of his day.
I'm missing something, Ost - where's Siki?
How on earth did Easter reach 14th May in 1940?
Great stuff Main Mask - Jules Kiki to boot ☺
Here's just one I can add. Note Bobby Palmer many years before he became the well known MC:
These are tremendous MM. Thanks so much. Personal favourite is seeing SIKI and KIKI on the same bill.
And Vic Hessile. Another variation on his name.
Like that-Ray St Bernard- obtained special leave for a bout ! Promoters, don't you just love them ?
GALALAND-TUESDAY 14TH MAY-1940-EASTER HOLIDAY!!
Note RON-'ANGEL FACE' is back!!
Note RUSLAN-JACK MACLAUGHLAN!!
MAIN MASK