𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗕𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗚𝗨𝗠 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

Homer Lee Hanna, Jr., Jo Ann Hanna, Capitol Theater Manager J.C. McNeil

By Rene Torres

In 1946, almost one hundred youngsters took the stage at Brownsville’s Capitol Theater with their favorite chewing gum, greeted by 500 to 600 noisy kids who were there to witness the bubble gum blowing contest.

Judges divided the kids into small groups and each contestant was given 30 seconds to blow their biggest bubble, repeating the effort in a series of eliminations to select the final winners.

After all the blowing was done and the hot air exhausted, it was a Brownsville brother and sister combination that stood out above the rest, as Jo Ann Hanna, eleven, and Homer Lee Hanna Jr., eight, were declared the “Chicle” champions.

When Homer was contacted over the phone some years ago, he declared, “I blew a 14-inch bubble and my sister Jo Ann blew a comparable one to win the title.” 

In 1946, the United States was still feeling the effects of rationing and gum, just like many other items, was scarce.

The Hannas were well aware of the scarcity of gum and revealed their methods:

 “We saved the used gum in the refrigerator for the next day and even added to it because during the war years we didn’t throw anything away.”

Winning at the Capitol Theater propelled them to compete for the Valley crown. 

The idea of a Rio Grande Valley king and queen of bubble gum blowers came from the king of bubble gum himself, Andrew Paris, who sponsored the valley event and provided the winning trophy, a gold watch.

The Brownsville winners had a week to practice as they now would face stiff competition from Estefana Balli and Billy Metcalf, both 11-year-old winners from the upper Valley. 

But, as the chase for the coveted gold watch grew near, it was announced that the double bubble ace, Homer, would not compete for the Valley crown, not for lack of gum, but because of having contracted the dreadful measles.

Jo Ann did go on to participate in McAllen and described it as a contest of endurance. 

“We blew bubbles for two hours and we could only use Andrew Paris’ brand of gum,” said Jo Ann.

But after it was all said and done, little Jo Ann—the darling of the “Chicle,” was awarded the crown and gold watch based on consistency to sustain a bubble and her ability to blow the perfect double bubble.

As they say: "Long live the Queen.”

The kids of the pigtail era continued to blow bubbles into the rock 'n roll period and beyond, but, now, many of them are grandparents, who are perhaps teaching their grandkids the lost art of blowing bubbles. 

The Paris Gum Factory, McAllen