Undoubtedly, two of the most famous, and most tragic, circus aerialists were Lillian Leitzel (1892-1931) and Alfredo Codona (1893-1937). One of the rooms at the Ringling House Bed & Breakfast, our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast, is even named after the couple.
Dainty Miss Leitzel: World’s Most Marvelous Lady Gymnast
Lillian Leitzel, one of the early stars of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in the 1920s, was best known for a feat called the one-arm plange, or swing-over, in which she would perform a nearly vertical rotation while hanging from a ring by only one arm. Skilled on the Roman Rings, similar to what gymnasts use today, but 50 to 60 feet in the air, Leitzel became known as the “Aerial Wonder.”
Leitzel grew up in a well-known European circus family, but was largely raised by her grandmother. She was on track to become a concert pianist. Her mother and two aunts travelled throughout Europe with their trapeze act, the Leamy Ladies, and her uncle, Adolph Pelikan, was a popular circus clown. Leitzel convinced her mother to let her join the troupe.
The Leamy Ladies toured on both sides of the Atlantic, including a U.S. run in 1910. The act wasn’t especially well-received, and tensions grew as Leitzel’s mother grew jealous of her rising talent. When the troupe returned to Europe, Lietzel chose to remain in America, performing on the vaudeville circuit until she was eventually discovered in Indiana.
In 1915, Leitzel signed with Ringling Bros. with a contract full of luxuries: her own private Pullman car with a baby grand piano, her bulldogs Boots and Jerry dining on filet mignon, and a lavish private dressing tent refreshed daily with fresh flowers. Lillian Lietzel was the first circus star to provide such opulence.
Within five years, Leitzel was the undisputed headliner. While swinging high above the crowd, audiences would count her rotations. Her record was 249 swingovers, an incredible feat considering that revolution partially dislocated her shoulder before it snapped back into place.
Though adored by the public, Lietzel was fiery, temperamental, and demanding. She was known to fire and rehire her personal maid multiple times a day, earning her a reputation as a prima donna.
Alfredo Codona: King of the Flying Trapeze
In 1917, the Flying Codonas joined the Ringling, where Leitzel already reigned as a star. Alfredo Codona, called the “Adonis of the Air,” was one of the few whose acclaim and skill matched that of Leitzel. Born into an Italian circus family, his father ran a small circus in southern Mexico. Together with his brother Lalo and his sister Victoria, they became the Three Codonas. Alfredo dazzled audiences with his daring triple somersaults, becoming one of the greatest trapeze artists of his time.
Leitzel and Codona married in 1928, famously exchanging vows between a matinee and evening circus performance, after Lillian kept Alfredo waiting at the altar for three hours! Their marriage was as turbulent as it was passionate, marked by fiery arguments, reconciliations, and a shared hunger for the spotlight. Both continued performing, even during winter breaks from the circus.
The Three Codonas appeared in a short film, Swing High (1931), which earned an Academy Award as Best Short Subject. Alfredo doubled for Johnny Weissmuller in the aerial stunts for the early Tarzan films.
Tragedy struck in 1931 when Leitzel’s brass hope fitting failed during a Copenhagen performance. She fell 45 feet onto a concrete floor, suffering severe injuries. Codona rushed to her side, but Leitzel insisted that her injuries weren’t serious, so Codona returned to Berlin to finish his engagement. Two days later, only a few hours after Codona left her side, Lietzel died.
Her death stunned the circus world. At Madison Square Garden, where she had often performed, a hockey game was delayed while the lights dimmed and the crowd sang “Auld Lang Syne” in her honor.
Codona was devastated. Though he remarried Vera Bruce in September 1932, he became increasingly reckless, suffering a career-ending fall in 1933. By 1937, the marriage crumbled. During divorce proceedings in Bruce’s attorney’s office, Codona locked the door, shot her four times, and then turned the gun on himself. He died instantly; Vera Bruce died the next day.
So ends the tragic story of Lillian Leitzel and Alfredo Codona; two brilliant by temperament stars whose dazzling careers and tumultuous love affair left an indelible mark on circus history.
Stay in the Lillian & Alfredo Room at our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast
One of the most memorable accommodations at our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is the Lillian & Alfredo Room, dedicated to the legendary aerialists whose love story still captivates circus enthusiasts. Staying here offers a unique chance to connect with circus history, as each of our rooms is named after a famous circus performer who helped shape the golden age of performance. The decor and details echo the glamour and drama of the era, creating a historic and romantic stay.
When you stay with us, you are steps away from Baraboo’s most fascinating circus attractions. Tour the AL. Ringling Mansion, explore the Circus World Museum, or join one of the city’s popular haunted or historic walking tours. Surrounded by Baraboo’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is the perfect home base for exploring this vibrant circus town.
Our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is a living piece of circus history. Our beautifully preserved historic Inn offers cozy guest rooms, welcoming common spaces, and a gourmet breakfast each morning. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a trip to explore Baraboo’s circus heritage, our Southern Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast provides comprehensive amenities and a timeless charm. Reserve your room now!
