Posted By thecircusblog on February 10, 2009
Ivan Henry and Jack Badel guying out back wall of Kay Bros Circus. In this photo are the Wendany’s Fred, Betty,and Heidi….1968. Most of the small circuses such as Kay Bros. did not own a big top. Instead they had an 8-10′ back wall with a small tent for the musicians Virgena and the Finten as well the PA system. The rings and aerial acts went in front of the back wall. It was a true side wall circus one of many.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 10, 2009
Carmen Henry with Jackie on the high Bike. Jackie lived to be 30 years old. She was the beginning of Henry’s Chimps and was the most dependable chimp in the act. Dad bought Jackie in the early 1950’s, at that time my Mother worked Jackie. Later, we acquired the other chimps to create the Henry Chimps…the natural born comedians of the jungle.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 10, 2009
This was our hand balancing routine, but it turned into a comedy routine . Bongie would make up his comedy during each one of his tricks. It seemed that he paid attention to the audience reaction and what the audience liked ….he did more of and he got funnier as the act continued. Of course I played the part of the serious animal trainer. I guess you could say I was a monkey’s straight man. Bongie was about a year and one half old when I first acquired him. He was easy to train and never let me down. More about Bongie can be seen under the category “Henry’s Chimps.”
Posted By thecircusblog on February 9, 2009
This is a picture of Shirley Henry taken in 1980 on the Atayde Circus. She is the oldest daughter of Glen and Ethel Henry. She has a sister Patty and two brothers Gary and Jimmy . A thank you to Bill Strong for sending me this photo.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 9, 2009
This chimpanzee Minnie was one of the Albert Fleet chimps. He had his act on the Clyde Beatty Circus.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 9, 2009
My dear friend Dave, He was the catcher with the Del Graham Flying Viennas….I’ll always remember you. We had some great times.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 9, 2009
These little lion cubs will soon be in Clyde’s act. Photo taken in 1937, Clyde Beatty circus.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 6, 2009
Photo taken in 1938 Cole Bros Circus winter quarters ….Rochester, Indiana.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 6, 2009
Harry Atwell took this photo of Clyde Beatty in 1938 in New York City. Chimp’s name is unknown.
Posted By thecircusblog on February 6, 2009
I posted this wonderful animal because he brought back memories of my wanting to put a gorilla in the chimp act. My dad spoke to Louie Goeble at the compound about buying a baby gorilla for the act. A few months later Mr. Goeble called dad saying he just got a little male from Africa and Louie and dad made a deal. Then Louie looked at me and said I want you to know that gorillas get very big and strong as well they do not get along with chimps….. you could have a good idea go very bad. As much as I wanted the gorilla, I knew it was the wrong thing to do. This photo is of Ubongo at the San Diego Zoo .
