thecircusblog | February 10, 2009
Just before every show Al Kada would go to the center ring and blow his whistle and then walk away because he was shy and didn’t want to announce the show. On this day, I made Al stay in the ring and announce the first act.
thecircusblog | February 10, 2009
This photo is of myself and Jack Badel, a dear friend of mine then and to this day. Jack had a little elephant by the name of Anna. We worked many shows together. Photo taken in 1968. He was not only an excellent performer and trainer but you could count on him to help out […]
thecircusblog | February 10, 2009
Mack McDermitt is in the center of this photo. I wish I had a picture of his act… it consisted of all German Shepherds. They were well trained stunning to watch. There are very few if any other German Shepherd acts in the business.
thecircusblog | February 10, 2009
Al and Ivan watching the tip build in the bleachers in 1968. All the shows we did in southern CA were well booked and fortunately we never had a blank.
thecircusblog | February 10, 2009
Give circus a chance and they will have a backyard party….even if it is between shows. That’s one of the things I love about our people….the family relationship.
thecircusblog | 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 […]
thecircusblog | 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 […]
thecircusblog | 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 […]
thecircusblog | 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.
thecircusblog | February 9, 2009
This chimpanzee Minnie was one of the Albert Fleet chimps. He had his act on the Clyde Beatty Circus.
