The Woodcock Story
Posted By thecircusblog on August 10, 2009
H.W.Woodcock braking in a new trick. Photo taken early 1950’s on the Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros Circus. Dorie Miller co-owner.
Hoot Gibson
Posted By thecircusblog on August 10, 2009
Many years of successful motion pictures made him an everlasting star. But there is always someone to take your place. Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and others were the new type of cowboy on the horizon. Just before his retirement from motion pictures, he joined the circus again. Hoot Gibson was a guest star on the Robbins Bros and Russell Bros Circuses during 1938 and 1939…………Do you know how he got his nick name,”Hoot.”
Source www.old-time.com/mix.htm
Edmund Richard “Hoot” Gibson
Posted By thecircusblog on August 10, 2009
A pioneer cowboy film star………… As a youngster at the age of 13 he ran away with a circus for a short time. Later he worked as a horse wrangler on the Miller 101 Ranch. The rodeo sparked his interest and then Bronco Busting became his game. In 1907 he joined the Dick Stanley and Bud Atkinson Wild West Show. He made his way as a top notch cowboy on that show. Then a few friends got him into the movie business doing stunts and training horses. It did not take too long for someone to discover that he could act. In 1910 it all came together for him, a cowboy star was born.
Source www.oldtime.com/mix.htm
Carson & Barnes Entrance
Posted By thecircusblog on August 4, 2009
Once inside the main entrance you found a well lit and clean performance area and as always the excitement was everywhere. They had a compact midway with a petting zoo presenting many animals for the kids to feed. The atmosphere was very family oriented. As I watched the… “Come In” the magic of the circus was on the faces of the people.
The Menagerie
Posted By thecircusblog on August 4, 2009
At the menagerie you were met with the smiling face of Gene Hembree. Gene and his little helper ….who’s father was a performer in the circus….were selling cups of grain to feed to the animals.