Doodles (clown)
William McAllister | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Patrick McAllister c. November 1877[1] Cowcaddens, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 30 October 1949 (aged 71) |
| Other names | Doodles |
| Comedy career | |
| Medium | Circus |
| Genre | Circus clown |
William Patrick McAllister[2][3][4] (c. November 1877 - 30 October 1949), known professionally as Doodles the Clown, was a British circus clown best known for being resident clown at both the Blackpool Tower Circus for 30 years and at Hengler’s Circus in Glasgow for 20 years.[1][5]
Career
Early career
McAllister was born on New City Road in Cowcaddens, Glasgow.[6][7] His circus career began at Bostock's Circus, located on the same street, when he was 11. Initially, he worked as an acrobat and wire-walker with the troupe Zalva and Alvar, becoming the third member Espana.[1][8] He spent many years as a gymanst in a circus in Germany.[6]
As Doodles
McAllister took up clowning whilst in a circus in Scarborough.[1] He soon joined Hengler's Circus on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, where he became resident clown. After Hengler's Circus closed, he made appearances at Kelvin Hall.[6]
In 1915, McAllister replaced John Albert Griffiths - September the Clown - at the Tower Circus in Blackpool, after Griffiths died from a short illness. From here until 1926, he would perform with Griffith’s old comedy partner - August (Robert Elliot). Afterwards, he would be joined by various other clowns including Fiery Jack, Austin and the Van Normans.[1][9] Doodles became popular in Blackpool, and was elected King of the town's carnival twice.[5]
As a clown, Doodles was known for his short stature (4ft 10in) and husky voice.[6][3] In his act, he would interact with the ringmaster George Lockhart, who during the show would typically "fire" Doodles for his misbehaviour but subsequently reinstate him when the audience would heckle to defend him. Doodles would also famously be rolled up in the circus carpet during the show.[1]
Gradually, he was only seen for short appearances during the show due to ill health. He ceased clowning at the end of the 1944 Blackpool Tower Circus season, and retired to a property in Potter's Bar.[1][2]
He makes a brief appearance in the 1934 film Sing As We Go during filmed scenes of a Blackpool Tower Circus show.
Death and legacy
McAllister died on 30 October 1949 at his home in Potter’s Bar. As per his wishes upon death, his ashes are buried in Church of St Stephen on-the-Cliffs in Blackpool.[3]
In Blackpool, McAllister is considered as being one of the first prolific Tower Circus resident clowns, a role in which he was later followed in by clowns such as Charlie Cairoli and Mooky the Clown.[1]
Captain Tom Moore's father was a fan of Doodles, and recalls him and childhood visits to the Blackpool Tower Circus in his book ‘Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day’.[10]
His clown shoes have been on display in Blackpool's Showtown Museum since 2024.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Potier, Daniel (8 October 2001). Jamieson, David (ed.). Clowns of Blackpool Tower Circus. Aardvark Publishing. ISBN 1-872904-19-X.
- ^ a b c ""Doodles" Estate". The Lancaster Guardian and Observer. 20 January 1950. p. 4.
- ^ a b c "Curtain Falls on Doodles the Clown". Manchester Evening News. 31 October 1949. p. 1.
- ^ Curtis, Bill (Elinor) (1988). Blackpool Tower. Terence Dalton Ltd. p. 84. ISBN 0-86138-068-1. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Famous Blackpool clown dead". The Yorkshire Post. 20 January 1950. p. 1.
- ^ a b c d "Stars of the Circus: Doodles of Hengler's". Sunday Post. 19 February 1950. p. 22.
- ^ McNaughton, Donald (6 November 1949). "Best Business in the World". Sunday Mail. p. 8.
- ^ Toulmin, Vanessa (2018). "Blackpool Tower Circus: The Wonderland of the World". Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society. 62 (2). Circus Historical Society: 78–87. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ Potier, Daniel; Sheward, John (1990). 97 Years of Blackpool Tower Circus. Aardvark Publishing. ISBN 1-872904-03-3.
- ^ Moore, Captain Tom; Holden, Wendy (2020). Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day. Penguin Random House UK. ISBN 978-0-241-48611-5.