thecircusblog | September 28, 2012
Ray and Thelma Chandler working with a cheetah most likely for a movie. Gene Holter along with his show also had Movieland Animals. in Norco, Calif. Ray Chandler was one of Gene’s top trainers. Ray must have been born with a natural talent for working with and training animals of all kinds. He never had […]
thecircusblog | September 28, 2012
Thelma Chandler and Babe. The photo was taken in 1955 on the Holter show.
thecircusblog | September 28, 2012
In this publicity photo Kathy Johnny’s daughter is in the act taking Milongas her mothers place. After Johnny passed away Ray Chandler, a good friend of the Clines took the elephants to Benny Williams at Circus World. Benny then delivered them to a circus in Brazil. Molly, one of the elephants died shortly after arriving. […]
thecircusblog | September 28, 2012
Johnny and Milonga Cline’s elephants named Princess, Dell and Molly. This photo was used for their publicity. I think the photos were taken on the Rudy Show in the mid 1950’s.
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
This can be the most dangerous part of setting up the circus…..pulling up the center poles. In haste…. trying to get the show up and ready for the afternoon performance. There is that chance that the rigger will forget to put a safety cable on. For each pole there are three to four cables and […]
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
All the sections of canvas were laid out by the Spool truck. Bruce Robinson, boss canvas man calls out for the men to line up for the unfolding making it ready for stretching out. Bruce stands far back for all to see and hear him. It is somewhat like the military, barking out orders only […]
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
Stretching out the canvas all has to be done in unison. Bruce in the white coat would call out, “All together now, lift it up, shake it out, get some air under it, PULL it back.” In one burst all would run backwards equally pulling the canvas to the outside. If you have done this […]
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
All the canvas has been stretched out, laced and at this time attaching the peaks to the bale ring. This is done with rope and chain. After all the canvas has been tied off the big top is ready for hoisting the center poles. Bruce Robinson keeps a close eye, there can be no mistakes […]
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
The show carried 7 seat wagons. It sure made for a fast set up. Seen here is the spool truck on the right. The show had everything needed for a fast set up. We had 60 one day stands, then a few sponsored spots which gave us a little rest and then back to one […]
thecircusblog | September 19, 2012
The seat wagons were owned once by the Miller Bros Circus. They were in pretty good condition when we got them. Just needed a few minor repairs now and then.
