Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
Mabel Stark performed at World Jungle Compound in her later years. Her act was just like clock work. Every trick was precision. Notice in this photo……no chair, no whip or prod pole. She cued the tiger with her hand. Incidentally, the chair, whip and prod pole were more often used for drama …..although sometimes they were needed to protect the trainer. It is a good thing to have something between you and the cat. They are wild animals….they are not tamed, they are trained.
Category: World Jungle Compound |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
“Those were the Days”….. 1880 to 1980 when America had it’s greatest circuses…. Cole Bros being one of many. If the family’s of today could visit the circus of yester-year they would be amazed . It was true family entertainment that never offended anyone. It brought out the imagination of adults and kids alike. It was a wonderful time in American history.
Category: Cole Bros Circus |
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Tags: Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
Most of the large circuses had an after show. They had a guest star and the most popular were the cowboy heroes of the silver screen. Ken Maynard was the star of the after show of Cole Bros. Circus. Other stars like Tom Mix and Hop-along Cassidy owned their own circuses. The Cisco Kid and Leo Carreo were guest stars on many circuses. I remember working several shows with Kirby Grant known as Sky King in the television series in the 1050’s.
The history of the circus staggers the imagination. If you want to learn more about the wonderful world of the circus. subscribe to the Circus Report with Bill Biggerstaff, historical advisor, and go to all of the different circus blogs.
Category: Clyde Beatty Circus |
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Tags: Cary Grant, Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, Sky King, Tom Mix Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gentry with” Jiggs” discussing their contract in the back yard of the circus. Jiggs is getting ready to sign for another season. I met Tony when I was a young man. He was a man of many talents as he was involved in circuses, motion pictures and a good animal trainer. He lived a rather private life but that did not impede his success in show business.
Category: Other Circuses and Performers |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
This is a publicity flier. Gary Henry with the elephant and Glenn Henry working the pony drill, Ethel with her dog act.
Category: Henry Bros. |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
This photo was taken at Max & Gertie’s anniversary. We called him Uncle Max as he was considered part of the Henry family, not by blood but by long time association. Max’s father was the band leader of the J.E. Henry circus in the early 1900’s. Max had a sister named Maxine on the show as well. She later married my Uncle Todd Henry. Max and the Henry boys were like brothers and they all did rolling globe. Thank you to Bill Strong for the photo.
Category: Gil Gray Circus |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
This is the front entrance of the Dr. Pepper Circus. I have never seen a banner line in front of a circus entrance before…..however it looks effective. Note the Dr. Pepper booth in front. Another Bill Strong photo.
Category: The Great American Circuses |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
This photo was given to me by Bill Strong. The Dr. Pepper circus, which I personally never saw, but what I have been told was very successful and unique. This photo is a blow off of the circus. Any further information will be appreciated.
Category: The Great American Circuses |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
I met Tarzan only once, on a cold and rainy day in Los Angeles. I was driving down the freeway and noticed this European style tent going up. It caught my eye and I stopped and asked this man whose circus did this belong to….and he looked over, covered with mud and answered “Mine…..Zorbini”. I asked him when he planned to open and he said “hopefully tonight”. I instantly liked him for his tenacity. That is all I know about him, if anyone can add information, please email me.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Posted By thecircusblog on March 25, 2009
Henry Clay was the trainer of Teddy. I got this photo from a friend of mine and it also came with an interesting story. This photo was taken in the 1930’s at William Hall’s compound in Lancaster, Mo. The purpose of the compound was to retrain elephants that had a bad attitude with people or other elephants. The elephants came from everywhere….circuses, zoos and privately owned ones. Many were actually given to the compound. They would be rehabilitated and then returned to their owners or sold. Of course there was a price for this service.
Category: Elephants & Elephants Trainers |
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