The Touchables

Ricki Starr wrestling and acting in The Touchables

RICKI STARR VS FRANK FOZO

Former ballet dancer, Ricki Star, takes on rough, tough Frank Fozo sometime in the late 50s - early 60s. The ever graceful twinkletoes Starr continually confounds the burly Fozo in a match for the ages as the crowd continually screams with laughter.

RICKI STARR VS PIETRO CAPELLO

"Pancho" Zappata vs Jeff Kaye ('69) Ricky Starr vs Pietro Capello ('64)

RICKI STARR IN NY PRO WRESTLING

Last updated on 02/03/2013 01/26/1957 Ed Ceccolini - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center Karl Von Hess vs Arnold Skaaland Ricki Starr vs Len Rossi 02/04/1957 Manhattan Wrestling Enterprises (Walter Smallshaw & Toots Mondt) - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (19,300) Jackie Nichols (15min limit draw) Don Stevens Wildman Fargo (10:43 pin) Arnold Skaaland Cowboy Bradley & Red Feathers def Sky Low Low & Tiny Roe  Don Lee (15min limit draw) Jimmy Szikszay  Miguel Perez (15:43 pin) Len Rossi Ricki Starr (5:55 pin) Skull Murphy  Antonino Rocca & Verne Gagne (2-1) Hans Schmidt & Karl von Hess 02/05/1957 Joe Smith - New Haven, CT - Arena (3,771; $7,301) Antonino Rocca def Dick the Bruiser 02/13/1957 Ted Bayly - Kingston, NY - Municipal Auditorium Ricki Starr vs Karl Von Hess Little Red Feather & Tito Infante vs Sky Low Low & Bull Drummond Skull Murphy vs Len Rossi 02/20/1957 Joe Smith - Waterbury, CT - State Armory Jackie Nicholas vs Jim Bernard Antonino Rocca vs Rocky Lee 02/27/1957 Ted Bayly - Kingston, NY - Municipal Auditorium Rocky Lee (23:50 sleeper hold) Len Rossi World Tag Team Title: Wild Man Fargo & Don Stevens* (2-1) Jack Nichols & Arnold Skaaland Antonino Rocca (2-1) Skull Murphy 03/11/1957 MWE - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (19,995; $62,565) Jim Bernard (11:55) Arnold Skaaland Skull Murphy & Karl Von Hess def Jackie Nichols & Len Rossi Jerry Graham (8:37) Cowboy Rocky Lee Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens def Miguel Perez & Reyes Rodriguez Great Scott (20min limit draw) Chief Big Heart Ricki Starr (7:25) Dick the Bruiser Antonino Rocca (16:56) Hans Schmidt 03/13/1957 - Kingston, NY - Municipal Auditorium Ricki Starr vs Rocky Lee plus two other bouts 03/23/1957 - Middletown, NY Antonino Rocca vs Skull Murphy 03/30/1957 MWE - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (20,125; $63,753) Chief Big Heart (15min dec) Skull Murphy Reyes Rodriguez (later Ciclon Negro) (12:52) Harry Lewis Oyama Kato (6:43) Jack Wilson Gino Garibaldi (20min dec) Cowboy Rocky Lee Dick the Bruiser (9:37 DQ) Karl Von Hess Ricki Starr (3:55) Paul Bunyan World Tag Team Title*: Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez (2-1) Jackie Fargo & Don Stvens 04/23/1957 MWE - New York, NY - St. Nicholas Arena Antonino Rocca def karl Von Hess Miquel Perez def Skull Murphy Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens def Miquel Torres & Lenny Montana The Great Scott def Gene Dubuque Gino Garibaldi def Larry Simon (sub Harry Lewis) 04/30/1957 MWE - New York, NY Antonino Rocca & Miquel Perez def Skull Murphy & Karl Von Hess  Ricki Starr def Jackie Fargo Jackie Nichols def Gene Dubuque Lenny Montana def Don Stevevens Miquel Torres drew Gino Garibaldi 05/13/1957 MWE - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (15,542; $42,419.20) Skull Murphy (12:55) Miguel Torres Bob Nandor (15:02) Gino Garibaldi Larry Hamilton (9:13) Oyama Kato Eric Von Hess (12:55) Chief Big Heart Jerry Graham & Roy Shire def Greg Jarque & Jackie Nichols (sub Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens) Ricki Starr (7:58) Great Scott Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez def Dick the Bruiser & Karl Von Hess 05/22/1957 Ed Ceccolini - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center (2,000) Larry Hamilton (13:43) Tony Martinelli Aldo Venturi (17:34) Miguel Torres Great Scott (17:13 pin) Skull Murphy Larry Simon drew Soldier Barry Antonino Rocca & Arnold Skaaland (2-1) Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess 05/24/1957 - Norwalk, CT Jackie Nichols vs Kurt Von Hess Skull Murphy vs Chief Big Heart Czaya Nandor vs Harry Lewis 06/15/1957 MWE - New York, NY Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez def Jerry Graham & Roy Shires  Ricki Starr def Eric Hess Danny McShain def Czaca Nanda Larry Hamilton (NC) Karl Von Hess Skull Murphy def Miguel Torres 06/29/1957 - Peekskill, NY - Stadium Tony Martinelli vs Harry Lewis Arnold Skaaland vs Danny McShain Al Smith & John Smith vs Jerry Graham & Roy Shires Antonino Rocca vs Karl Von Hess 07/12/1957 MWE - Queens, NY Antonino Rocca vs John Tolos 07/15/1957 Ray Fabiani - Stamford, CT - Boyle Stadium Miguel Perez vs Bobby Wallace Skull Murphy vs Ricki Starr Eric Von Hess & Karl Von Hess vs Great Scott & Chief Big Heart World Heavyweight Title: Edouard Carpentier* def Roy Shire 07/17/1957 Mike Aide - Norwalk, CT - Crystal Arena Ricki Starr vs Danny McShain Eric Von Hess vs Great Scott Skull Murphy vs Arnold Skaaland Soldier Barry vs Cowboy Rocky Lee 07/19/1957 - Newark, NJ World Heavyweight Title(?): Edouard Carpentier* def Karl Von Hess 07/19/1957 - New Haven, CT (cancelled) 07/23/1957 Acorn AC (Jack Havery) - Stratford, CT - Raybestos Memorial Field (2,239; $4,143.25) Ricki Starr vs Jerry Graham Skull Murphy vs Czaya Nandor Angelo Savoldi vs Miguel Perez Cowboy Rocky Lee vs Larry Hamilton Arnold Skaaland vs Great Kato 07/26/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena (3,052; $5,632.38) 08/05/1957 Mike Aide - Norwalk, CT - Crystal Arena Antonino Rocca vs Roy Shire The Great Scott vs Jerry Graham Skull Murphy vs Sandor Kovacs Czaya Nandor vs Harry Lewis 08/06/1957? Capitol Wrestling Corporation (Vincent J. McMahon & Toots Mondt) - New York, NY (date conflicts with the Nyack show below) Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez def Larry Hamilton & Danny McShain Jerry Graham (NC) Karl Von Hess Skull Murphy def karl Von Hess Eric Von Hess def Ramon Lopez Czaya Nandor def Kostas Goulass Sandor Kovacs def Miguel Torres 08/06/1957? - Nyack, NY - Nyack HS (date conflicts with the NYC show above) Arnold Skaaland vs Larry Hamilton Aldo Venturi vs Miguel Torres Tony Martinelli vs Al Smith Antonino Rcca & Gino Garibaldi vs Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess 08/12/1957 CWC - Freeport, NY World Heavyweight Title(?): Edouard Carpentier def Roy Shire 08/14/1957 Ray Fabiani - Stamford, CT - Boyle Stadium Jerry Graham vs Antonino Rocca Larry Hamilton & Danny McShain vs Chief Big Heart & Arnold Skaaland Karl Von Hess vs Ricki Starr Oyama Kato vs Cowboy Lee Czaya Nandor vs Harry Lewis 08/14/1957? CWC - New York, NY Antonino Rocca def Larry Hamilton  Ricki Starr & Miguel Perez (NC) Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess The Great Scott def Angelo Savoldi Chief Big Heart & Sandor Kovacs drew Danny McShain & Skull Murphy Ramon Lopez def Kostas Goulas 08/14/1957 - Waterbury, CT 08/20/1957 Acorn AC (Joe Smith) - Stratford, CT - Raybestos Field Aldo Venturi vs Al Smith Angelo Savoldi vs Great Scott Karl Von Hess vs Skull Murphy Antonino Rocca & Czaya Nador vs Danny McShain & Oyama Kato 08/27/1957 Mike Aide - Norwalk, CT - Crystal Arena Larry Cordee vs Sandor Kovacs Bobby Wallace vs Aldo Venturi Great Scott & Adrian Baillargeon vs Oyama Kato & Legs Langevin Edouard Carpentier def Karl Von Hess 08/28/1957 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Riverview Field Kosta Goulas vs Ray Lopez Don Lee vs Miguel Torres Charles Robinson vs Al Smith Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess vs Chief Big Heart & Gino Garibaldi Ricki Starr vs Larry Hamilton Antonino Rocca vs Skull Murphy 09/04/1957 CWC - Long Island City, NY Jerry Graham drew Great Scott Gino Garibaldi & Czaja Nandor def Larry Hamilton & Danny McShain Oyama Kato def Chief Big Heart Joe Hamilton def Bobby Wallace Kostas Goulas def Buddy Gilbert 09/07/1957 Ed Ceccolini - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center (5,000) Danny McShain (10:38) Soldier Barry Arnold Skaaland (22:58) Czaya Nador *Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton (8:25 pin) Chief Big Bear & *Gino Garibaldi Ricki Starr (17:11) Eric Von Hess Antonino Rocca (13:24 pin) Karl Von Hess 09/09/1957 CWC - Freeport, NY Edouard Carpentier (NC) Ricki Starr 09/14/1957 CWC - Union City, NJ Great Scott vs Skull Murphy Donn Lewin & Mark Lewin vs Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess Larry & Joe Hamilton vs Ramon Lopez & Reyes Rodriquez Adrien Baillargeon vs Angelo Savoldi 09/16/1957 CWC - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (19,165) Skull Murphy def Legs Langevin Danny McShain (10min limit draw) Rey Urbano Eduardo Castillo (5:10) Eric Von Hess Dick the Bruiser (9:47) Larry Moquin Jerry Graham & Roy Shire (1-1 30min limit draw) Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin Miguel Perez (12:27) Larry Hamilton Ricki Starr (5:15 DQ) Karl Von Hess Antonino Rocca curfew (40min curfew draw) Edouard Carpentier Killer Kowalski vs Chief Big Heart (cancelled - curfew) Sandor Kovacs vs Felix Lamban (cancelled - curfew) 09/17/1957 Ed Ceccolini - Yonkers, NY - Polish Community Center (500) Kostax Goulax (11:33) Ray Lopez Arnold Skaaland (16:03) Miguel Torres Sandor Kovacs (15:49) Larry Hamilton Eduoardo Castillo (5:18) Angelo Savoldi Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin (2-0) Karl Von Hess & Eric Von Hess Antonino Rocca (11:52) Skull Murphy 09/18/1957 CWC - Long Island City, NY Ricki Starr vs Danny McShain Donn Lewin & Mark Lewin vs Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton Joe Hamilton vs Gino Garibaldi Sandor Kovacs vs Adrien Baillargeon Rey Urbano vs Kostas Goulas 09/21/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton vs Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin  Roy Shire & Jerry Graham vs Chief Big Heart & Aldo Venturi  Luis Martinez vs Bobby Wallace  Ricki Starr vs Danny McShain 09/27/1957 - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center Arnold Skaaland vs Miguel Torres Chief Big Heart vs Danny McShain Jerry Graham & Roy Shires vs Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin Antonino Rocca & Eduardo Castillo vs Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton 09/28/1957 CWC - Teaneck, NJ Antonino Rocca & Ricki Starr vs Larry Hamilton & Karl Von Hess Chief Big Heart vs Felix Lamban Roy Shire vs Eduardo Castillo Jerry Graham vs Miguel Perez Donn & Mark Lewin vs Skull Murphy & Danny McShain Bobby Wallace vs Harry Lewis 10/02/1957 CWC - Long Island City, NY Donn & Mark Lewin def Skull Murphy & Karl Von Hess Edouardo Castillo def Larry Hamilton Ludwig Von Krupp def Sandor Kovacs Paul Berger def Ramon Lopez Angelo Savoldi def Miguel Torres 10/09/1957 CWC - Union City, NJ Donn & Mark Lewin vs Karl Von Hess & Ludwig Von Krupp Skull Murphy & Joe Hamilton vs Miguel Perez & Rey Urbano Steve Stanlee vs Aldo Venturi Kostas Goulas vs Tony Martinelli 10/12/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Edouardo Castillo vs Joe Hamilton Andrian Baillargeon vs Paul Berger Don Eagle vs Soldier Barry Killer Kowalski vs Great Scott Roy Shire vs Yukon Eric 10/15/1957 CWC - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (17,355; $51,335.98) Jerry Graham & Roy Shires (2-? 33:12) Luis Martinez & Eduardo Castillo Danny McShain (12:42 pin) Donn Lewin Paul Berger (9:08 pin) Rey Urbano Ludvig Von Krupp (6:09) Cowboy Rocky Lee Yukon Eric (11:26) Skull Murphy Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez (2-0; DQ in 1st) Killer Kowalski & Dick The Bruiser 10/16/1957 Ed Ceccolini - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center Don Lee vs Aldo Venturi Angelo Savoldi vs Miguel Torres Arnold Skaaland vs Paul Berger Skull Murphy & Larry Hamilton vs Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin Antonino Rocca & Eduardo Castillo vs Ludwig Von Krupp & Karl Von Hess 10/19/1957 CWC - Paterson, NJ Antonino Rocca & Ed Castillo vs Killer Kowalski & Roy Shire Miguel Perez & Luis Martinez vs Skull Murphy & Karl Von Hess Yukon Eric vs Larry Hamilton 10/21/1957 Ted Bayly - Kingston, NY - Municipal Auditorium Rocky Lee & Bob Wallace vs Jerry Graham & Aldo Venturi Antonino Rocca vs Danny McShain plus another bout 10/22/1957 Ed Ceccolini - Yonkers, NY - Polish Community Center (500) Tony Martinelli (15:37 pin) Joe Hamilton Arnold Skaaland (20min limit draw) Gene Dubuque Steve Stanlee (18:28) Skull Murphy Jerry Graham (11:09) Aldo Venturi Antonino Rocca & Eduardo Castillo (2-1) Ludwig Von Krupp & Paul Von Berger 10/22/1957 Norwalk, CT - Armory Sandor Kovacs vs Adrian Baillargeon Ricki Starr vs Cowboy Rocky Lee Killer Kowalski vs Great Scott Mark Lewin vs Miguel Lopez 10/23/1957 CWC - Long Island City, NY Antonino Rocca & Ed Castillo def Danny McShain & Larry Hamilton Jerry Graham def Angelo Savoldi Steve Stanlee def Miguel Torres Sandor Kovacs (DQ) Skull Murphy Jerry Gordet (DQ) Ludwig Von Krupp 10/26/1957 CWC - Union City, NJ Ricki Starr & Miguel Perez vs Skull Murphy & Karl Von Hess Larry & Joe Hamilton vs Ed Castillo & Tony Martinelli Sandor Kovacs vs Gene Dubuque Ludwig Von Krupp vs Aldo Venturi 10/26/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Great Scott vs Harry Lewis Yukon Eric vs Bobby Wallace Luis Martinez vs Paul Berger Killer Kowalski vs Donn Lewin Antonino Rocca & Don Eagle vs Jerry Graham & Danny McShain 11/02/1957 CWC - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (20,675; $63,876.14) Great Scott def Larry Hamilton Pat O'Connor def Legs Langevin Danny McShain def Larry Moquin Luis Martinez & Edouardo Castillo def Ludwig Von Krupp & Paul Berger Don Eagle drew Karl Von Hess Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez def Jerry Graham & Roy Shire Edouard Carpentier (curfew draw) Killer Kowalski 11/06/1957 CWC - Long Island City, NY Ricki Starr & Ed Castillo def Danny McShain & Karl Von Hess Skull Murphy def Donn Lewin Mark Lewin def Larry Hamilton Ludwig Von Krupp (DQ) Steve Stanlee Paul Berger drew Angelo Savoldi 11/09/1957 CWC - Trenton, NJ - Trenton Armory Sandor Kovacs def Joe Hamilton Steve Stanlee drew Paul Berger Great Scott def Skull Murphy Miguel Perez & Luis Martinez (2-1) Karl Von Hess & Ludwig Von Krupp Antonino Rocca & Ricki Starr (2-0) Jerry Graham & Danny McShain 11/09/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Donn Lewin vs Angelo Savoldi Mark Lewin vs Legs Langevin Roy Shire vs Edouardo Castillo Don Eagle vs Larry Hamilton Edouard Carpentier vs Killer Kowalski 11/16/1957 CWC - Jersey City, NJ - Armory Jerry Graham & Roy Shire vs Luis Martinez & Ed Castillo Ricki Starr vs Chief Don Eagle Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez vs Killer Kowalski & Danny McShain 11/18/1957 CWC - Waterbury, CT - Buckingham Hall Don Eagle vs Sandor Kovacs Danny McShain vs Luis Martinez Antonino Rocca & Ricki Starr vs Jerry Graham & Roy Shire 11/19/1957 CWC - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (12,987; $38,153) Felix Lamban (sub Jerry Graham) (5:20) Legs Langevin Chief Big Heart (7:30) Paul Berger Skull Murphy (11:45) Great Scott Ludwig Von Krupp & Karl Von Hess (2-1) Luis Martinez & Eduardo Castillo Pat O'connor (20min limit draw) Don Eagle Miguel Perez (14:38 UTC) Danny McShain Antonino Rocca & Edouard Carpentier (DQ) Dick the Bruiser & Jerry Graham (sub Wladek Kowalski) 11/23/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Luis Martinez vs Legs Langevin Lord Littlebrook vs Fuzzy Cupid Don Eagle & Chief Big Heart vs Jerry Graham & Roy Shire Edouard Carpentier & Ricki Starr vs Killer Kowalski & Danny McShain 11/27/1957 CWC - Meriden, CT - City Hall Auditorium Antonino Rocca vs Roy Shire 11/28/1957 - Kingston, NY - Municipal Auditorium Karl Von Hess & Skull Murphy vs Mark Lewin & Donn Lewin  Ricki Starr vs Jerry Graham plus one other bout 11/29/1957 Ed Ceccolini - White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center (1,800) Jerry Graham & Roy Shires (2-1) Arnold Skaaland & Great Scott Ricki Starr (9:12 pin) Rocky Lee Antonino Rcca (18:51) Don Eagle 11/30/1957 CWC - Jersey City, NJ - Armory (cancelled) Harry Lewis vs Legs Longevin Don Eagle vs Donn Lewin Jerry Graham & Roy Shire vs Ed Castillo & Felix Lamban Lou Thesz vs Edouard Carpentier Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez vs Karl Von Hess & Ludwig Von Krupp 12/03/1957 - New Haven, CT - Arena Bearcat Wright vs Luis Castillo Danny McShain vs Luis Martinez Chief Big Heart vs Paul Berger Edouard Carpentier & Ricki Starr vs Jerry Graham & Roy Shire 12/07/1957 CWC - New York, NY John Tolos drew Don Eagle 12/09/1957 CWC - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden [III] (9,264; $24,866.34) Roy Shire (13:04 pin) Edouardo Castillo Felix Lamban (12:17 pin) Skull Murphy Killer Kowalski (9:50 pin) Mark Lewin Luis Martinez (9:30 DQ) Ludwig Von Krupp Chief Big Heart (6:35 DCOR) Chris Tolos Don Eagle (20min limit draw) John Tolos Dick the Bruiser (9:32) Donn Lewin Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez (2-1; DQ in 3rd) Jerry Graham & Danny McShain 12/21/1957 CWC - New York, NY Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez beatg Jerry Graham & Roy Shires Ludwig Von Krupp def Eduardo Castillo Chief Big Heart def Paul Berger Chris Tolos def Tony Martinelli The Great Scott drew John Tolos 12/27/1957 CWC - Paterson, NJ Antontio Rocca vs Jerry Graham Chief Don Eagle & Chief Big Heart vs Chris & John Tolos Miguel Perez & Tony Martinelli vs Ludwig Von Krupp & Joe Berger Marvin Mercer vs Gene Dubuque Sandor Kovacs vs Manuel Torres Researches by J Michael Kenyon, Hisaharu Tanabe, Steve Yohe, David Baker including the information from the newspaper ads/articles provided by Doug McLeer

Ricki Starr vs Hans Herman

http://www.chicagofilmarchives.org/collections/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/4164

[Wrestling TV show]: Tiny York vs Johnny Gilbert - Ricki Starr vs Hans Herman

Film Identifier: F.2008-04-0045

Part Of: Russ and Sylvia Davis Collection, 1932-1970

Run Time
0h 29m 2s

Format
16mm

Color
B&W

Sound
Optical

Date Produced
circa 1960

Abstract
An episode of a syndicated wrestling show shot at Chicago’s International Amphitheatre. Shot live on film with three-camera coverage, it features a witty and entertaining narration from announcer Russ Davis. The reel features two matches. The first (unfortunately not a midget match even with a wrestler named Tiny) is a rather dull one between two nondescript unexciting wrestlers with even Davis complaining about the lack of action. The second one on the other hand is one of the more interesting matches between former ballet dance Starr and the seig-heiling Hermann. Starr uses his balletic grace and speed to overpower the 50 pound heavier Hermann to win the match.

Log
00:01 MS Ring announcer introducing match, 00:28 Davis begins talking about new comer wrestlers in the ring, match begins at 01:07, men exchange holds on each other, Davis admits to losing track of who’s who, Gilbert knocks York to the mat, wrestlers compare muscles, 05:00 armlock on York, leglock on Gilbert, men exchange holds, toehold on York, chokehold on Gilbert, Gilbert punches York and bodyslams him 09:50 head scissors on York, Davis complains that the match is uneventful. bodyslam on York, match is called at 10:57 in favor of Gilbert, though Davis complains that the match was dull, 11:18-11:29 MS Gorgeous George in a tux steps into the ring, the ring announcer states that George is unable to wrestle due to a damaged finger, crowd boos and cheers as George throws gifts into the ring, Starr prances up to George and offers George ballet slippers causing George to storm off the mat, Starr doing ballet moves before match 15:00 when meeting in middle to go over rules Starr prissily slaps Hermann enraging him, match starts and Starr eludes Hermann with ballet moves, Starr jumps on Hermann’s back and tickles him, legscissors on Hermann, headlock on Starr, Starr gets punched to the mat, leglock on Hermann, 19:45 leg scissors on Starr, headlock on Hermann, chokehold on Starr, 21:44 Hermann loses first fall when he refuses to stop illegal hold on Starr, Hermann goes steps across the mat and heil hitlers, 22:32-22-42 yellow leader, between rounds Davis thanks all of his fans in Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines, 24:12 second round starts, Starr jumps on Hermann’s back, chokehold on Starr, leghold on Hermann, CU kneelock on Hermann, Hermann stepping on Starr’s neck, MS Hermann dragging Starr around the ring, CU Starr pinning Hermann against the ropes gouging his nose, MS Starr flips off of Hermann, bodyslam on Hermann, dropkick on Hermann, bodyslam on Hermann, 28:14 Starr wins second fall and match, out 28:44

Distributors

Imperial World Films

Main Credit

Imperial World Films (is production company)

Davis, Sylvia H. (is producer)

Davis, Russell (is director)

Actors, Performers and Participants

York, Tiny (is performer)

Gilbert, Johnny (is performer)

Gorgeous George (is performer)

Starr, Ricki (is performer)

Hermann, Hans (is performer)

Davis, Russell (is commentator)

Wayland, Ed (is participant)

Genre

Sports

Form

Television series

Subjects

Wrestling

Wrestling matches

Related Place

Chicago (production location of)

Dallas Wrestling Results - 1952
Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, July 15, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Mr. Moto b. Sterling “Dizzy” Davis (2/3) … Chief Kit Fox b. Danny 
Savich (countout) … Ricki Starr b. George Scott (decision) … Jack Kennedy b. Karol 
Krauser … Ray Gunkel b. Ivan Kalmikoff … Rolando Vera b. Johnny Bence … 
(promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, July 22, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Mr. Moto b. Chief Kit Fox (2/3) (third fall by DQ) (referee Steddum 
reversed Leo Voss’s decision to award the match to Moto) … Duke Keomuka vs. Ricki 
Starr … Danny Savich and George Scott vs. Miguel Guzman and Rolando Vera … Bud 
Richardson vs. Willie Spencer (Negro match) … Ray Gunkel vs. George Penchoff … 
(promoter:  Ed McLemore) … (referees:  Leo Voss, Bill Steddum) … (6,549 fans) 
(overflow crowd)
Notes:  Kit Fox was billed as a Comanche Indian from Oklahoma and he uses a 
“tommyhawk slash” as a finisher; Ricki Starr was reported as being 20 years old, 195 
pounds, and working toward the junior title.

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, July 29, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Chief Kit Fox b. Mr. Moto … Miguel Guzman and Duke Keomuka 
drew … Roy Graham and George Penchoff drew … Jack Kennedy b. Dutch Hefner 
(abdominal stretch) … Ray Gunkel and Ricki Starr b. Danny Savich and George Scott 
(Starr pinned Scott) … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) … (capacity crowd)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, August 5, 1952
(Sportatorium) … Duke Keomuka beat Chief Kit Fox … (Loser Leaves Town Match) Mr. 
Moto drew Dick Raines (60:00, 1-1) … Ricki Starr vs Miguel (Black) Guzman … Andre 
Drapp beat Ray Gunkel … Danny Savich beat Jack Kennedy … NOTE: "Ray Gunkel 
pinned newcomer Andre Drapp in less than a minute in the second event but recalled 
the fall when Drapp announced that he was not ready for action. They proceeded and 
Drapp pinned Gunkel in five minutes' time in a snappy match." – Dallas TX Morning 
News, Aug. 6, 1952  Research by J Michael Kenyon

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, August 12, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Dick Raines b. Mr. Moto (2/3) (“loser leaves town” match) … Ricki 
Starr b. Duke Keomuka (reverse decision) (Starr was a substitute for Miguel Guzman) … 
Danny Savich b. Chief Kit Fox … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and Andre Drapp drew … 
Cyclone Anaya b. Ivan Kalmikoff … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, August 19, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Rito Romero b. Danny Savich (2/3) (Romero was given the third 
fall by Texas Deputy Commissioner Bill Hughes due to a cut on Savich’s head) … Duke 
Keomuka b. Dick Raines … Andre Drapp b. Roy Graham … Cyclone Anaya and Sterling 
“Dizzy” Davis drew … Karol Krauser b. George Penchoff … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) 
… (5,636 fans)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, August 26, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Rito Romero b. Danny Savich (DQ) … Cyclone Anaya and Andre 
Drapp drew (60:00) (1-1) … Dick Raines b. Karol Krauser … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis b. 
Duke Keomuka (4 seconds) (Raines fought with Keomuka) … Roy Graham b. Dutch 
Hefner … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, September 2, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Dick Raines b. Duke Keomuka (2/3) … Ray Gunkel b. Roy 
Graham … Jack Kennedy and Danny Savich drew … Cyclone Anaya b. Jack O’Brien … 
Andre Drapp b. Johnny Bence … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, September 9, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Texas State Heavyewight Champion Ray Gunkel b. Dick Raines 
(2/3) (Gunkel earned match with Thesz next week) … Duke Keomuka b. Billy Varga (DQ) 
… Nell Stewart b. Carol Cook … Roy Graham and Jack O’Brien b. Cyclone Anaya and 
Andre Drapp … Jack Kennedy b. Karol Krauser … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) … 
(referee:  Roy Carter)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, September 16, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz b. Ray Gunkel (2-
0) (Gunkel could not continue during the second fall after losing the first) … Cyclone 
Anaya b. Duke Keomuka (DQ) (Danny Savich interfered) … Dick Raines vs. Danny 
Savich … Nell Stewart b. Ida May … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and Dory Funk (local debut) 
drew …Billy Varga b. Jack Kennedy … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)
Note:  The Dallas Morning News reported on September 17, 1952 that “Thesz threw him 
[Gunkel] to the mat cracking several neck vertebraes.  Dr. Allen F. Rowsen refused to let 
Gunkel continue further action.”

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, September 23, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Danny Savich b. Sterling “Dizzy” Davis (2-0) … Duke Keomuka 
and Billy Varga drew (60:00) … Sterling “Dizzy” Davis and Billy Varga wrestled Duke 
Keomuka and Danny Savich to a no contest … Bill Steddum b. Al Massey … Texas Tag 
Team Champions Cyclone Anaya and Miguel Guzman b. The Kasheys (Abe and Al 
Kashey) … Andre Drapp b. Carl Engstrom … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, September 30, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Danny Savich b. Sterling “Dizzy” Davis (Davis was unable to 
continue) … Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich b. Roy Graham and Jack O’Brien 
(Keomuka pinned O’Brien) … Andre Drapp and Billy Varga drew … Cyclone Anaya b. 
Abe Kashey (DQ) … Al Kashey b. Bill Steddum … Dory Funk b. Carl Engstrom … 
(promoter:  Ed McLemore) … (referee:  Benny Bickers)
Note:  Keomuka was billed as the new Texas champion.

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, October 7, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich b. Cyclone Anaya and Miguel 
Guzman to capture the Texas State Tag Taem Title (2/3) (Keomuka was the Texas 
champion) … Dory Funk and Billy Varga drew … “Cowboy” Orv Carlson b. Al Kashey … 
Roy Graham b. Abe Kashey … Ricki Starr b. “Spoiler” Hank Metheny … (promoter:  Ed 
McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, October 14, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Ricki Starr b. Danny Savich (2/3) … Andre Drapp b. Duke 
Keomuka (2/3) (non-title match) … Ray Gunkel b. Ike Eakins … Jack Kennedy b. 
Abdullah Bey … Cowboy Carlson and Miguel Guzman drew (15:00) … (promoter:  Ed 
McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, October 21, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Texas Tag Team Champions Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich 
b. Ray Gunkel and Ricki Starr (2/3) … Duke Keomuka and Ricki Starr drew (1-1) … 
“Cowboy” Orv Carlson b. Carlos Moreno … Abdullah Bey b. Dr. Lee Grable … Andre 
Drapp and Dick Raines drew … (promoter:  Ed McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, October 28, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … Texas State Heavyweight Champion Duke Keomuka b. Ray 
Gunkel in one fall when the latter was unable to continue due to injury (Ricki Starr came 
in and wrestled Keomuka as a substitute) … Ricki Starr b. Duke Keomuka (2-0) 
(according to the Dallas Morning News, Starr won a “strong claim” to the Texas Title) … 
Ricki Starr b. Kinji Shibuya (DQ) … Ike Eakins b. Kinji Shibuya (DQ) … “Cowboy” Orv 
Carlson b. Abdullah Bey … Cyclone Anaya b. Roy Graham … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) 
… (referee:  Leo Voss)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, November 4, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … . NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. 
“Wild” Red Berry with a referee’s decision after McShain was unable to continue due to a 
severe cut on his head) (2/3) (Berry was disqualified in the second fall after winning the 
initial fall) (McShain retained his title) (referee blamed Berry for McShain’s inability to 
continue and gave him the bout) … Texas Tag Team Champions Duke Keomuka and 
Danny Savich b. Ray Gunkela and Ricki Starr (2/3) … Ginger the Bear b. Danny Savich 
(DQ) … Ella Wladek b. Dolores Villa … Juan Humberto b. Ike Eakins … Cyclone Anaya 
b. Dory Funk (decision) … Ray Gunkel, Ricki Starr and Ginger the Bear b. Duke 
Keomuka, Danny Savich and Kinji Shibuya … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) … (7,000+ 
fans)
Note:  The Dallas Morning News reported on November 5, 1952 that “over seven 
thousand fans, the largest turnout in Dallas wrestling history, packed the Sportatorium to 
watch promoter Ed McLemore’s seven match grappling card.”

*On November 7, 1952, the Dallas Morning News reported that Ed McLemore was going 
to offer up a new championship for the winner of next Tuesday night’s six-man tag team 
bout between Juan Humberto, Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich and the team of 
Cowboy Orville Carlson, Ricki Starr and Billy Varga.  The main event would be a rematch 
between Danny McShain and “Wild” Red Berry.

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, November 11, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … “Wild” Red Berry b. NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion 
Danny McShain (2/3) (third fall by DQ) (McShain won the first fall, Berry won the second, 
and Berry won the third by disqualification when McShain “continued to slam Berry 
outside the ring.”) … Texas Tag Team Champions Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich b. 
“Cowboy” Orv Carlson and Ricki Starr … “Cowboy” Orv Carlson, Ricki Starr and Billy 
Varga b. Juan Humberto, Duke Keomuka and Danny Savich to capture the initial Texas 
Six-Man Tag Team Title … Cyclone Anaya and Juan Humberto drew … Billy Varga b. 
Andre Drapp … Ella Wladek b. Ethel Brown … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) … (referee:  
Leo Voss) … (5,000 fans)
Notes:  The Dallas Morning News on November 12, 1952 reported:  “A world wrestling 
title changed hands for the first time in many years in Dallas Tuesday night at the 
Sportatorium when Wild Red Berry defeated he junior heavyweight champion, Danny 
McShane, in the feature main event of the six-bout grappling card, witnessed by nearly 
5,000 fans.” McShain was “expected to challenge the disqualification decision with the 
Texas commission.” It should be noted that no National Wrestling Alliance, board 
controlled, titles could change hands on a DQ.

Dallas TX: November 18, 1952 (Tuesday)
(Sportatorium) … Ricki Starr beat Duke Keomuka (Starr earned title match with Cyclone 
Anaya) … (Ladies) June Byers & Millie Stafford beat Dot Dotson & Ella Waldek … Wild 
Red Berry beat DannySavich … Billy Varga beat Juan Humberto … Cyclone Anaya beat 
Jack Kennedy … NOTE: Originally billed as a Texas title match, the main event went 
without that distinction when Keomuka was stripped of the laurels the previous Friday 
night (11/14/1952) in Houston by Cyclone Anaya … Byers and Stafford were said to 
have defended something called "the national women's tag-team match championship" 
(?)  Research by J Michael Kenyon

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, November 25, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. Billy 
Varga (2/3) … Bob Clay b. Bill Staddum (DQ) … Cyclone Anaya and Juan Humberto 
drew … Duke Keomuka b. Andre Drapp … Ricki Starr b. “Wild” Red Berry … (promoter:  
Ed McLemore) … (benefit for the Leader Dogs for the Blind, one fourth of the gross was 
donated) … (in attendance:  Leroy McGuirk)
Note:  Leroy McGuirk made an appearance in the ring in support of the NWA-wide 
benefit program.

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, December 2, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Cyclone Anaya b. Billy Varga 
(2-0) … Red Berry and Ricki Starr drew (1-1) … Juan Humberto and Jack Kennedy drew 
… Roy Graham b. Kinji Shibuya … Jack O’Reilly b. Gene Allbert … (promoter:  Ed 
McLemore)

Dallas, Texas:  Tuesday, December 9, 1952
(The Sportatorium) … NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny McShain b. 
Ricki Starr (2/3) (Starr won the first fall, McShain won the second and third) (Starr was 
accompanied by his former University of Purdue wrestling teammate, Ray Gunkel) … 
NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Cyclone Anaya b. Roy Graham (special handicap 
match) (Graham had to beat Anaya twice in 30-minutes or forfeit) (Graham was 
disqualified in the first fall and lost the match) … Red Berry and Gory Guerrero drew … 
Andre Drapp b. Jack O’Brien … Billy Varga b. Bill Steddum … (promoter:  Ed McLemore) 
… (matchmaker:  Dr. Karl Sarpolis)

*In San Antonio on Wednesday, December 10, 1952, a number of wrestlers refused to 
compete in the scheduled show with complaints on the way television was being handled 
in Texas.

*The problem beginning in San Antonio created a large rift in the Texas wrestling 
landscape.  Once the first block tumbled, everything began to fall, and sides were 
quickly taken.  On one side was the Texas Wrestling Agency, headed by Morris Sigel 
and partners Dr. Karl Sarpolis and Frank Burke.  On the other was Ed McLemore, the 
promoter in Dallas.  In a chain of events, McLemore left the National Wrestling Alliance, 
saw Sarpolis leave as his matchmaker, and announce that he would continue to promote 
shows with new talent.  The Texas Wrestling Agency claimed to have owned two-thirds of 
the Dallas office that McLemore owned.

*On Friday, December 26, 1952, a representative of the Texas Wrestling Agency, Frank 
Burke, announced that the NWA and the wrestlers Dallas fans were used to seeing 
would continue being promoted with a tentative start date of January 6.  They had not 
announced their local promoter or the venue.

*Over the course of the next day, it was announced that Norman Clark of Houston would 
move to Dallas and promote NWA stars at Pappy’s Showland.  The war would see both 
promotions run shows in Dallas on Tuesday nights.  Clark leased the Showland for nine 
months.

*On Monday, December 29, 1952, eight wrestlers filed suit against promoter Ed 
McLemore, matchmaker Dr. Karl Sarpolis, Dallas TV station KRLD-TV, and the Texas 
Rasslin’ and Dong King Advertising Agency.  The eight wrestlers included Jesus B. 
Valencia (Cyclone Anaya), Ray Gunkel, Joseph (Billy) Varga, Bernard Herman (Ricki 
Starr), Ralph L. “Red” Berry, Danny (McShane) McShain, Salvador (Gory) Guerrero,a 
nd Dory Funk Sr.  The group of wrestlers claimed that the contract they had prevented 
television stations in Texas from showing them in action, and that the station in Dallas 
was doing so, thus, damaging the local draw.

The Elusive Ricki Starr

http://blogs.canoe.ca/gregoliver/wrestling/the-elusive-ricki-starr/

The elusive Ricki Starr

Steven Johnson - January 12th, 2013

It took us about five years to complete The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons, and we spent every bit of it working on Ricki Starr. Starr was a sensation in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a lithe little wriggler who incorporated ballet-style moves into his repertoire. A delight to watch, he parlayed his fame into something of a crossover career as a recording artist and bit actor. Here’s British announcer Kent Walton:

You could almost imagine Ricki is on some opera-house stage holding aloft a seven-stone-six-swam-necked ballerina instead of a fifteen-stone massively muscled Pole. At the end of the spin Starr doesn’t so much dump his now dazed opponent as gently lay him out like a considerate undertaker. The crowd are silent for a moment. Then they lift the roof off.

Ricki Starr

My personal collection includes a brochure signed to Buffalo publicist Earle F. Yetter, with whom he worked; the piece contains sample articles for placement in the women’s or features sections of newspapers.

Starr, or Bernard Herman, went to England in 1963, more or less never came back, and has been reclusive for decades. He’s in his 80s now. We made great headway into his existence and got a lot of material to some of his relatives who still live near St. Louis, where he was raised. No spoilers here: you’ll have to check out the book to learn why Ricki broke off contact with his past, and his family, for that matter. But I still think the profile is one of the strongest in the book. We drew on the detailed recollections of one of his friends and fellow dancers of 60 years ago, and a lot of intimate letters he wrote to Jack Pfefer, his booking agent. In fact, those probably provide a more candid look at Starr than he’d provide in an interview. You wonder if he was saying as much in a Wrestling World interview in 1967:

There is something lacking in my makeup that prevents me from winning true and lasting friendships. I guess I sub-consciously feel that I have a hard enough time getting on with myself without inflicting ‘me’ on others.

Still, just the same, I have my list of questions by my phone, in case Ricki calls back.

Ricki Starr

Arguably the most sensational wrestler to impact the British scene in the sixties and a major player in those golden years, pursuing a glittering undefeated run and returning on several occasions, including long-haired and balding in 1974 on independent bills.

Having boxed, and won 17 amateur wrestling titles, Starr turned pro wrestler in 1953 and combined the mat sport with a career as a ballet dancer, touring Europe with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and later appearing on Broadway in Paint Your Wagon and Annie Get Your Gun. But it was when he started to combine his ballet with his wrestling that the spark came and he sold out Madison Square Garden on several occasions.

Even on our 1964 monochrome sets his golden ballet shoes caused a stir, and his prancing and pirouetting had audiences on the edges of their seats. The fifteen-stoner invariably finished off his opponents with an aeroplane spin, and his defeat of Steve Logan - seconded by Mick McManus - on Cup Final Day 1965 is legendary. Later scaled down to as little as 13 stone 2 pounds and, at this weight in his final three televised appearances, span not only light-heavyweights Czeslaw and Haggetty to knock-out defeats but also the 19 stones Mucky Mal Kirk.

In 1968 Ricki Starr was one of a number of wrestlers featured in the movie The Touchables.

The early seventies saw occasional UK glimpses of the new look Starr including Royal Albert Hall bill-topping appearances in which he sensationally knocked out Mr TV Pallo. Dale Martin's precious emergent jewel proved a harder rock to crack and he only drew with Goldbelt Maxine.

His status was undiminished in European actions and in the marathon two-month Hanover tournament of 1974 with almost nightly action, he emerged undefeated - but was still placed only second overall by protectionist Germans.

Have you ever wondered where Richard Starkey got his name from when he became drummer for the Beatles ...

The fans remember ....

Ricki Starr

On a recent visit my dad reminisced about Ricky Starr, a ballet dancing wrestler who, despite his fey persona, sent grown, gruff enemies into hysterics of fear with his deadly legs.

While Starr may not be touted as a gay icon (his own sexuality was probably straight) I think it's awesome that he was kicking ass and gained tons of fans while prancing around and acting in the exact way that (still) scares most wrestling fans to death.

Starr was a professional dancer before entering the wrestling game

***


Ce 8ème volet de la rubrique "Ces étrangers luttant en France" est consacré au Catcheur américain Ricki Starr dont le style etait pour le moins suprenant et original. Portrait d'un catcheur peu commun.


De son vrai nom Bernard Hermann, Ricky Starr commença à pratiquer la danse puisqu'il suivit une formation de danseur ballet. Il fut même reconnu dans ce milieu ayant intégré la troupe du Ballet russe de Monte Carlo, participant à une tournée triomphale en Europe au début des années 1950. Pour autant, les sports de contact avaient également sa faveur et il pratiqua tout d'abord la Boxe, discipline dans laquelle il obtint de nombreux titres en amateurs.

Les titres, Ricki Starr les accumula également sur les rings, après être devenu lutteur professionnel en 1953. Après avoir connu le succès sur les planches de Broadway, ce fut dans l'antre du Madison Square Garden que Ricki Starr suscita l'admiration de la foule. Epris de ses vieux démons de danseur ballet, il se produisait sur le ring vêtu de pointes de danse et d'un long collant blanc. A cela s'ajoutait un style particulier. Starr virvoltait tel un danseur ballet, accumulant les pitreries à l'encontre de ses opposants, les tournants à la limite du ridicule .

Ricki Starr était un globe trotter et se rendit en Europe notamment en Angleterre au début des années 1960. En janvier 1964, il traversa la manche pour se rendre en France ou pour sa première apparition, Maurice Durand, le célèbre matchmaker le fit combattre à la salle Wagram en diffusion télévisée. Farfelu et provocateur, il était néanmoins un authentique catcheur. Et son style si particulier faisait sa réputation. D'ailleurs il était présenté sur les affiches comme le Catcheur - Danseur.
Le 3 mars 1964 à Beauvais il affrontait Robert Gastel:
"Ce soir là, Starr avait demandé un "méchant" plus lourd que lui... On l'opposa à Gastel! Le catcheur - danseur se présenta en chaussons et collants de danse, fit des "pointes" virevolta pour se mettre en jambes devant un Gastel abasourdi. Le public venu voir du catch, siffla et hua cet huluberlu. C'est alors que Starr commença ses priteries, esquivant comme un chat, appelant l'arbitre pour prendre appui sur lui et effectuer un saut arrière de dégagement etc... Alors le public se mit à rire. Gastel irrité d'être ridiculisé multiplia ses coups défendus. A ce moment, le danseur clown devint catcheur émerveillant les plus blasés par des prises et contres prises sensationnelles, sa victoire finale fut saluée par un tonerre d'applaudissements." (1)
_________
(1) Source: Programme d'un Gala de Catch a Beauvais (60) le 2 Mars 1965.


TRANSLATION

The 8th part of "Foreigners fighting in France" is dedicated to American professional wrestler Ricki Starr, whose style was both surprising and original.Here then is a portrait of a most uncommon wrestler.


Real name Bernard Hermann, Ricki Starr was initially trained as a classical ballet dancer and reputedly worked with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, taking part in a triumphant tour of Europe in the early 1950s. However, he was also interested in contact sports and practiced boxing, a discipline in which he won numerous amateur titles.

Ricki Starr also accumulated numerous wrestling titles, after becoming a professional wrestler in 1953. Having enjoyed success on Broadway, it was at Madison Square Garden that Ricki Starr first really came to the attention of wrestling fans.

Recalling his early days as a ballet dancer, he took to the ring clad in ballet slippers and long white tights. There he pirouetted like a ballet dancer, practised his antics on his opponents, turning the match to the full extent of absurdity.

Ricki Starr was a globe trotter and travelled to Europe and England in the early 1960s. In January 1964, he crossed the Channel to visit France. For his first appearance, Maurice Durand, the famous matchmaker booked him to fight at the Salle Wagram on broadcast television.

Eccentric and provocative, Ricki Starr was nevertheless a real wrestler. His style was his reputation. He was featured on posters as the Wrestler/Dancer.The Program notes for Gala de Catch a Beauvais (60) le 2 Mars 1965 record - "That evening, Starr had requested a" heel " much bigger than himself ... His opponent was Robert Gastel! Ricki appeared in dance shoes and ballet tights, making ballet "points " before a stunned Gastel. The public who had come to see wrestling, whistled and hooted at this hulabulu. Then Starr began his pirouettes, dodging Gastel's lunges like a cat, urging the referee to do his job while taking a leap back, etc. ... The audience began to laugh. Gastel irritated at being ridiculed, increased his attack. Suddenly, the dancer/ clown became a marvellous wrestler, and his victory was greeted by a thunder of applause."

***
voice over man
Mar 05, 2009
Re: Ricki Starr

In the States he fought heavyweights up to and over the 300lb mark. I've read quite a few well known workers of his time saying he was a real hard son of a B.... He headlined in many places in North America but found his niche in Europe and the U.K. in particular because he could and would wrestle, rather than just brawl as was expected from the Yanks. ....
I think when Starr first wrestled in the U.K. the average fan was probably ready to dislike him, after all he was a Yank, they were all rich big heads who claimed they had won the War and their wrestlers couldn't wrestle and yet claimed the World Championship(s) and usually 18 of the 20 contenders for those Titles. Starr was different, the guy wasn't huge but he could wrestle within the rules, he could give the dastardly Garfields, Yearsleys and Bull Davis's of this world a taste of their own medicine AND the guy was, for his time COLOURFUL.
As we all know the World has moved on and we can if we wish, watch Soap Opera wrestling and either fully embrace it for what it is, or we just tune in hoping that now and then we see some 'good old wrestling'.
All the above though doesn't answer the question 'RICK, WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU'?
Cheers, John.

"The Gay Bit" - Who Can You Beat?

Parts 1 and 2 by Dory Funk Jr., Columnist for 1wrestling.com

1. The Gay Bit
In the late fifties Terry and I were at the Amarillo Sports arena sitting with our mother,Dorothy watching the matches. My father, Dory Funk Sr. came up to the back row of ringside on the West Side where we always sat. He leaned over to mother and said, I want your opinion of the next match.

The match was Ricky Starr against Buck Weaver.

As the lights darkened and Ricky Starr came to the ring the wrestling fans of Amarillo, Texas who were used to tough guys, Tony Morelli, Dory Funk Sr., Bob Geigel, Iron Mike Dibiase, Bulldog Plechas, Wayne Martin, Big Train Clements, Ray Gunkel, Pat Oconnor, Frankie Hill Murdoch, Lou Thesz, Dick Hutton and Cal Farley were first shocked to see this ballerina looking "Sissy."

As they watch, Ricky Starr amazed, entertained and bedazzled the fans with his antics against the befuddled Gus Johnson. The fans laughed so hard they cried. They stood on their feet and cheered and hooted and hollered throughout the match.

That was Ricky Starr's first impression on the fans in Amarillo, Texas. He did the "Gay Bit." In the fifties and it was classic entertainment.

Fifty years later, Billy and Chuck were about to be married in the ring on WWE. Somewhat less shocking in 2002 than Ricky Starr in the fifties. It's entertainment.

2. Don't Be Deceived by Appearance

A few weeks after the introduction of Ricky Starr in the Amarillo territory, the promoter at the time,Doc Sarpolis felt it was time to "convince" the wrestling fans that wrestlers were tough.

Standing in the ring was Dory Funk Sr., Bob Geigel and Ricky Starr.

The ring announcer made the invitation for anyone in the audience. They could take on any one of the three men in the ring in a wrestling match. Six fans took up the offer and they all wanted to challenge "The Sissy" Ricky Starr.

Ricky Starr went through all six in five minutes.

Little did they know he was a Big Ten Champion amateur wrestler from Purdue University.

3. What else do we know

• Ricky Starr - real name Bernard Herman
• 5'10" - 205 lbs
• Ricky Starr portrayed a ballet-dancing acrobatic wrestler with gay overtones and getting it over everywhere as a babyface!
• Ricky Starr was a legitimate ballet dancer prior to wrestling professionally.
  
• Ricky Starr was managed (a real manager, not a wrestling manager) by Jack Pfefer, known for sideshow wrestling.

4. Help us find out more to honour this legend before his time

• email me here or use the comment button below

Meanwhile ..............

Ricky Starr Vs Karl Von Hess Pt 1




Ricky Starr Vs Karl Von Hess Pt 2