Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
These two good looking performers were Olgie and Irma Zavatta………… now their story. Olgie Zavatta came to this country from Italy in 1936 with one of the finest riding acts ever to be presented in this country. They were known as the Zavatta Zoppe family. They preformed the riding act and unsupported ladders on the Cole Bros Circus. There was a tent fire in 1940 at the winter quarters located in Rochester, Indiana. The fire destroyed the circus and killed many animals. The performers on the show were devastated by this tragedy and no one knew what to do. Shorty there after the Clyde Beatty Circus salvaged what remained of Cole Bros and became the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. The Zavatta Zoppe family continued preforming on the show for a while and later broke apart each of the two families going succesfully their own way. Irma, Olgie’s wife, came form Germany in 1939 with a troupe called the Bicycling Sidney’s that preformed on the Ringling circus. Some time in the mid 1940’s, Oglie and Irma met on the Ben Davenport show. They were married and raised two boys Monte and Gino Zavatta. Both live in Arizona and are successful. Monte owns his own business of South West Arts Crafts and Geno is president of the Stage Hands Union Local 336, Phoenix, AZ
A very informative comment made by Tom Finley.
Category: Zoppe Zavatta Family's |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
I wish this news clipping of the Zavatta family was better but it’s all I have. This photo shows the Zavattas in their custom bus, built by Oglie himself from a Trailways passenger bus. They were on the Polack circus at the time of this photo . This bus had all the comforts of any home and if you did not like your neighbor you could always move. The Siebrand Bros. circus was where my family and I first met the Zavattas. Monte and Geno were older then, Oglie was just starting to teach them the family acts. During the week-days there was not much to do as we had evening shows only. This off time gave us the time to practice new tricks. Our trailers were always parked close together behind the circus making it very easy to visit. Oglie would sit outside his bus in his favorite lawn chair, next to him a crank up 78 speed record player. He listened for hours to Mario Lanza and if he spotted me he would call me over to hear the great Mario Lanza sing. Oglie would say in broken english ……… Now Ivan this is music… it is good for you. ” Listen to these beautiful songs, here is a true artistry. Not that, Rocka….. anda…… Rolla….. Junka.” When I saw Oglie cone from the bus with his Victrola, I would take off runing for some place to hide, but I was not always successful in my attempt to get away. I now know just about every Mario Lanza song and can sing O Solo Mia backwards.
Monte, Geno, You had a great father.
Category: Polack Bros Circus, Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival, Zoppe Zavatta Family's |
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Tags: Mario Lanza
Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
Oglie Irma and pooch. I think Olgie would spend his nights lying awake figuring out new tricks for his acts or how to make the old ones better.
Category: Zoppe Zavatta Family's |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
I can honestly say I have never seen this trick before or since.
Category: Zoppe Zavatta Family's |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
When Olgie Zavatta thought of a trick he trained it. This little Chihuahua was something eles.
Category: Zoppe Zavatta Family's |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
Clyde Beatty at the Peru, Indiana winter quarters. This photo was taken in the mid 1920’s. This also appeared in the book “Big Cage” published in 1933 by Century Publishing Co. It was co-written with Edward Anthony. Later the story was filmed by Universal studio also in 1933.
Category: Clyde Beatty Circus |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
Take your family to the circus! If you have never been to a circus, do so. It will be well worth your time and money. The circus is….. and always will be the finest of family entertainment, the kids will love it and you will never have to hide their eyes.
Category: Clyde Beatty Circus |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 4, 2009
Thanks, JB for the poster.
Category: The Great American Circuses |
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Posted By thecircusblog on October 3, 2009
This photo was taken on the Hagenbeck and Wallace Circus 1933. This picture is one of my favorites. Calm and confident.
Category: Clyde Beatty Circus |
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