Posted By thecircusblog on November 22, 2017
Nolly Tate and Jack Badal on Kay Bros circus early 1960’s. Nolly and his wife Polly both Clowned, as well they had a dog act. Most of the time they perfumed both. I did not know the Tate’s real well. The only time I saw them or spoke to them was when we worked together. I did find that they were the nicest people you would ever want to know.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 14, 2017
Jack and I first met on the Kay Bros. He had a fine elephant act with baby Anna. Jack bought Anna from Louie Goebel. Smoky Jones helped Jack in the training of her. All in all a very professional act.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 9, 2017
There is no question that Beatty set the bar higher with a fighting big cat acts. Proof is, many copied his style of act even down to his wardrobe. That I think is a complement to him. It is also true that many were just as good as Beatty, its just that he was first in line for the glory.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 8, 2017
The days when you could see such a magnificent elephant as this one, are most likely gone. You have to give the credit to the American circus that imported and trained these animals. Todays American public will never see such a wonder as this one. Most elephants in Africa now are being killed for food and tusks. Farms in India have taken over much of the land where elephants migrated or roamed season to season on their same path for century’s. It is said they are killed for passing though farm land, which at one time was their migrations path.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 8, 2017
Looks like a big tip…… I was always amazed at the crowds we would have without giving away free passes. The prices were affordable for the average family. It was the only circus that I know of that had a pay one price for the whole family. As I have said it before Mr. Kadya was a smart business man. His belief was don’t bust them out at the gate, the concessions will make the money. He did not like the idea of butchers working the audience during the show. At intermission those who were still in their seats were met with a barrage of butchers some of whom were performers. Most of the time intermission was 30 minutes. I remember that I said to Al it might be a good idea if we played recorded circus music during intermission. I explained that it would fill the dead air. I don’t know if it helped to make any money but it sounded good.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 8, 2017
Jack Badal and Chet Juzyk taking to Louie Goebel in the back yard of the Jungleland compound. This photo was taken in 1962. We lost Chet some time ago, to this day he is still missed. Jack Badal is 83 and going strong. Jack is responsible for many of the historic photos with in the circus blog.. We spend a great deal of time on the phone cutting up old stories. Jack is a fine person and one of the best animal trainers in America.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 8, 2017
I was always teasing Al. The B.R….. Bank Roll from the concessions was carried in his back pocket from the concessions to his office trailer. This particular day I nailed him in the center ring as he was getting ready to make the candy pitch. If you notice many in the audience stood up in wonderment. Our backs was to the audience they did not see that it was a joke being played out. Most thought a robbery was taking place. I did get the B,R, and ran from the ring hearing “Stop him “Jack Badal took this photo just by accident. Later we all got a lot of laughs from it, and of crocus Al money was returned.
Posted By thecircusblog on November 7, 2017
A fine little circus that was fun to be a part of. After each date the cash was there in your hand, never worried about it. Al Kayda had good sponsors and the seats were always full. At these prices why shouldn’t they be. Mr.Kayda was a smart business man, The show made it’s money on a volume basis and the gravy was his food and candy concessions. He only gave up 15% to his sponsors, they were happy with that.
