AV 112 Bob Marvin Collection

              AV 112
Bob Marvin Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/ Audiovisual Collections
AV 112
Bob Marvin Collection
Ca. 1952- 1977; 2005
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 112
Title:
Bob Marvin Collection
Creator:
Bob Marvin
Dates:
Ca. 1952- 1977; 2005
Media:
Photographs, ephemera
Quantity:
0.25 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Society
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
Bob Marvin had a 31- year career playing Flippo, the King of Clowns. In 1952 and 1953 Flippo appeared on the program “ Tip Top Bandwagon,” which aired on WBNS- TV/ Channel 10, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, Ohio. “ Flippo’s Big Show “ began airing on WBNS- TV in 1954. Flippo’s longest running television program, “ The Early Show,” was on the air from 1962 through 1977. He also made frequent appearances at public events and in advertisements for businesses. Flippo became a well- known personality in the Columbus and central Ohio area. From 1972 to 1983 Marvin also performed as Flippo on the early cable television network Qube. His last appearance as Flippo was on October 22, 2004 at a roast held in his honor.
Though best known as a clown and comic, Bob Marvin also had a career as a musician. He began playing jazz saxophone professionally at age 17. He led a band while serving in the Army and enrolled in the Ohio State University School of Music in 1949. For 35 years he was the leader of the Bob Marvin Band.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The collection includes 13 black and white and color photographs of Flippo, the King of Clowns played by comic and musician Bob Marvin. Flippo can be seen on the set of “ The Early Show,” clowning around behind the scenes at the WBNS- TV television station, in his clown car and making public appearances. The scrapbook contains