thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
Blaco takes Anita for a ride. In the early 1950’s my mother thought it would be unusual to train small dog’s for her act. She was right…they were a big hit on the tv shows such as Spade Cooley and Ina Rae Hutton.
thecircusblog | September 3, 2008
Rita was one of three performing chihuahuas in Toni Madison’s act. My Mother made all of the wardrobe for the dogs.
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
My Dad bought a location house bus from Hal Roach Studios. It once belonged to Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It was used while shooting their movies. It had everything we needed while we were on the road, however Dad did build a few extras. He put a hitch on it to pull a small trailer. Dad put a […]
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
In the early 1950’s Toni Madison and her dogs performed on many TV shows such as The Spade Cooley Show, The Ina Ray Hutton Show, Western Verities, The Red Skeleton Show and the Pinky Lee Show. Movies included Vagabond King and several Walt Disney movies to name a few. The list continue on, My Mother was considered […]
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
Mom saved many of her dogs from the dog catcher. She trained them and put them into her circus act. Later she became a famous act on TV and in motion pictures. She changed her name to Toni Madison and her act became known as “Toni Madison and her Wonder Dogs”. Photo taken on the 101 wild West & Circus […]
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
This is a picture of my mother performing with her dogs, my father is in the background assisting. Notice the military costume that my father is wearing. In those days it was customary that all animal trainers wore military type costumes. They were always announced as “Captain …………”
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
Pictured here are my Grandmother Lillian, myself Ivan, Mary my mom and Cliff my Dad. 0h yes… little Christina, the dog on my Dad’s lap. Photo taken on the 101 Ranch Wild West Show & Circus. The new version of he 101, 1945.
thecircusblog | September 2, 2008
Joe Metcalf and his wife Anna, with Babe the 101’s performing elephant.
