Bentley Bros Circus
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
6 Responses to “Bentley Bros Circus”
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Thanks for sending me the Bio’s on Tommy and Clancy. It was interesting to learn of their lives over the years. I knew Tommy mostly from the Gil Gray Show years.
I came across a Circus Flyer and am trying to pinpoint the year it was for.
I was wondering if any light could be shed to satisfy my curiosity.
Fri, Aug. 30 7:30
Sat. Aug. 31 12:00 3:00 & 6:00 and
SUN./Mon. 12:00 3:00 & 6:00
Philadelphia 3305 S. Tenth St Parking Lot
that would most likely be us, Bentley Bros Circus. I think we played that lot labor day week end from 1995-1999. I would have to look at a calendar to see which year those dates came on the week end. it was a great lot for us with packed houses every day and usually having to do an extra show on the last day. one year the promoter oversold the last day and for the last performance we had people sitting on the ground right up to the ring curb and about 2,000 people outside with paid tickets trying to get in. even the cops would not go out into that crowd of angry people. I went out all alone with a bull horn and explained to them that the lot was full but that we were going to do an extra performance just for them. I was tested by people asking what if they couldn’t wait. I explained that there was a number on the bottom of the ticket and if they called it they would tell them where to take the ticket for a refund….We didn’t make a single refund and I wasn’t cussed out even once. the only problem we had was people would not back up from the entrance to let the first crowd out for fear of loosing their place in line so we had to file everyone out single file till they were all out. we did the extra show and everyone went home happy.those were the days we would lock Mr Bentley in his trailer until we got everyone seated, he couldn’t take the pressure, but Wally and I thrived on it.
Hello Chuck:
I think of you and Tommy and the BB Circus once a week, every week!
Those were the days!
I just look up this site cause around 25 years ago I took off to Florida from Ohio and end up broke in miami.
There was a ad in the paper,no ties,need work,can travel ?
And I called and the next week I was working for Bently brother circus moving props in and out of the ring.i only did it for about a month.
Couldn’t take the bunk house in the old Simi. Lol
Anyway don’t remember a lot but I do have a few good memories.
Please email me would love to show my boys
I am looking for any information about Thomas Bentley to fill in blanks regarding my family. Tom would be my great uncle…my grandfather and him were brothers. I was told that Tom had a long time partner and was gay. This came as a huge surprise to me as I felt I am the only gay person in my extended family. Learning about Tom and his Circus would be so lovely to me…to give me a sense of history and connection. I hope I hear from someone.