Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
The following 9 photos are of Clyde Beatty rehearsing his cat act at winter quarters in Rochester, Indiana. As you can see there was a small crowd of spectators, which were always permitted to enjoy the show. These photos were shot by Pete Mardo in 1937 and were given to the circus blog by my friend Bob Cline.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
These photos of Clyde rehearsing are not in a performance sequence.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
I believe this cat’s name was Nero and was one of his best fighting cats.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
This is the worst thing that can happen in a cat act, other than getting nailed yourself. Two cats fighting can cause pure havoc in the arena and it has to be broken up quickly before it spreads to the other cats. I found myself in this situation helping to brake up two of Pat Anthony cats. Pat had a tiger by the name of Bill that was constantly fighting with one of the lions. There was a definite hatred between the two and every so often Bill Johnson, myself and some brave prop boys would have to get things settled down.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
It is possible that some of these photos were shot in 1935. Note his change of wardrobe as seen in this photo in his whites………….. Thank you Bob for sharing these wonderful photos with the circus blog, so that I may share them with others.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 12, 2012
In 1959 Ward Hall and Harry Leonard produced this 200 hundred foot front sideshow. Sideshows of this size were a powerful and stunning draw on the midway . The massive pictorials on the banner lines made it impossible to pass by with out rubber necking under the bally curtain. Then your curiosity got the best of you and you purchased that ticket to see the world of unbelievable human reality.
