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Frol-ex Land

Patty Conklin was elected president of the Showmen's League of America for both 1935 and 1936. In 1935, Patty hosted the Showmen's convention in Toronto. With his eye on the Canadian National Exhibition, he asked the new general manager of the Ex, Elwood Hughes, to act as toastmaster. Major American shows

had been providing the midway at the Canadian National Exhibition, the biggest annual outdoor exhibition in the world, for many years. Against this competition, Conklin Shows bid and won the midway contract for 1937, partly because of Patty's expertise and partly because of his rapport with Hughes. After the contract

was signed, Elwood and Patty toured Europe to find the best and newest attractions. Patty branded the midway "Frol-ex Land", a play on the word frolic.


Jack Ray began to design show fronts for Patty Conklin during these Canadian National Exhibition years.


By 1938, evidence of Jack Ray's work is clearly seen on the midway. The "Midget City" show front sports the colour palette and deco motifs that Jack will become known for. The "Globe of Death" show front with skulls and motorcycles would be used into the early 1940"s. Other Jack Ray designs include: the "Hall of

Science", "Rolo", "Darkest Africa"," World's Fair Dances" and "Kiddie-land."


By 1941, with the Canadian National Exhibition growing more popular than ever, Jack's show fronts were all over the midway. After the exhibition, the grounds were taken over to billet and train troops for Canada's war effort. The Canadian National Exhibition would not resume operations until 1947.

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Al Stencell on what impressions he had on Jack's work.
13 May 2011
Not applicable
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
Al Stencell
Glenn Charron

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Princes' Gate entrance to the Canadian National Exhibition.
1927
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Canadian National Exhibition Association

4

James Conklin on how Jack Ray's show fronts changed the look of the carnival.
25 April 2011
Not applicable
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
James Conklin
Glenn Charron

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"Ernie and Len" show front sketch in pen and ink by midway artist Jack Ray.
1937-1941
Conklin Shows
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
John C. (Jack) Ray
Jennifer Walker

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Painting of proposed "Ernie and Len" carnival show front by midway designer Jack Ray.
1937-1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
John C. (Jack) Ray
Jennifer Walker

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"Ernie and Len" show at the Canadian National Exhibition.
1937-1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

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"Ernie and Len" show front designed by Jack Ray.
1937-1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

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Paintng of a proposed "Globe of Death" show by midway designer Jack Ray.
1938-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
John C. (Jack) Ray
Jennifer Walker

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"Globe of Death" show at the Canadian National Exhibition designed by Jack Ray.
1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
J.W. (Patty) Conklin
Glenn Charron

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"Globe of Death" stunt show front designed by Jack Ray.
1938-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

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Show fronts designed by Jack Ray at the Canadian National Exhibition.
1938
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
J.W. (Patty) Conklin
Glenn Charron

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"Globe of Death" stunt show front designed by Jack Ray.
1938-1946
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)

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"Globe of Death" show at the Canadian National Exhibition designed by Jack Ray.
1941
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
North American Carnival Museum and Archives (NACMA)
J.W. (Patty) Conklin
Glenn Charron