thecircusblog | April 29, 2009
Frank Phillips shown here at Louie Goebel’s Lion farm before it became the World Jungle Compound at Thousand Oaks, California. This photo was taken in 1948 as near as I can tell. Frank was also a trainer at the World Jungle compound, when Richards and Horne were partners in the compound in the 1950’s.
thecircusblog | April 7, 2009
There is always someone that excels beyond the best in what they do. They are the that “one person” you learn from if your lucky. Every animal man I have ever known had an Icon trainer to fashion themselves after…to take just a little something and make it theirs. Reuben Castang knew the great Apes inside out […]
thecircusblog | March 31, 2009
At the top of this contract are the names of Trader Horne and Billy Richards, they were the knew owners. This contact was an rental agreement for the use of animals or the compound itself. Many studios used the compound for their location shooting for a jungle type environment. No matter how many times Mr. […]
thecircusblog | March 25, 2009
Mabel Stark performed at World Jungle Compound in her later years. Her act was just like clock work. Every trick was precision. Notice in this photo……no chair, no whip or prod pole. She cued the tiger with her hand. Incidentally, the chair, whip and prod pole were more often used for drama …..although sometimes they were […]
thecircusblog | March 21, 2009
The last time I saw Roger was in the early 1960’s. I went to Thousand Oaks to pay visit with Big John Strong who lived not to far from the Jungleland compound. I happened to run into Roger who was at that time just developing his cat act and by all reports he was an up and comer. […]
thecircusblog | March 19, 2009
Stephano was another fine big cat trainer that Jungleland turned out in the 195o’s. His zesty Italian personality gave him his own originality.
thecircusblog | March 19, 2009
Dick McCraw? This I believe is a picture of Dick McCraw in an inside shot at the Jungleland arena. ……………. Need ID. Update 3-27-10, See comment from Dick McGraw’s son Kevin McGraw…… Thanh’s for the ID.
thecircusblog | March 18, 2009
Dick McGraw, another Jungleland great and one nice guy. I met him only one time briefly but his reputation about being easy going and friendly preceded him and I found it to be true.
admin | March 16, 2009
Mr. Louis Roth was the chief animal trainer at the Selig Zoo. The zoo opened in 1916. Mr. Roth also became famous for his motion picture work with many different wild animals. Louis Goebel called him the world greatest wild animal trainer. He also trained at World Jungle Compound. He was Mabel Stark’s first husband.
thecircusblog | March 9, 2009
The history makers…what a great picture of these two. Trader Horne on the left, was an animal importer and later became part owner of the World Jungle Compound. Do you remember the little mechanical elephants, most of which were at the entrance to shopping centers….that the kids could ride for ten cents? Trader Horne was […]
